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Friday, March 13, 2009

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  1. ChillaMarch 14, 2009 at 5:07 AM

    CHILLA

    A Roosting Place for Sex Workers’ Children


    ABOUT CHILLA

    HISTORY

    OUR STORY / THE BEGINNING

    The sex workers are no lesser citizens. It is very rare that a woman, a girl or an under aged child becomes a sex worker voluntarily. Divorce, poverty, domestic violence and torture, failure in love affairs, kidnapping are some of the causes that drive women and girls into prostitution.

    The condition of sex workers in Kerala is appalling. They are caught in the chain of pimps, gundas and other antisocial elements in the society and the police on the other side. Classified under criminals, these women find it difficult to raise their voice against basic human rights violation. Moreover, the absence of brothels, which invariably provides shelter, increases the gravity of sufferings of sex workers in Kerala. Many of these sex workers and their children are on the street. Thus these children too undergo all the brutalities suffered by their mothers.

    ‘Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health’ (FIRM), an organization formed by a team of medical doctors, held the first state level meeting of the Sex Workers of Kerala on February 20 and 21 of 1999 at Hassan Marakkar Hall, Thiruvananthapuram. Around 350 sex workers and people from different walks of life like poets, journalists, lawyers, doctors, social activists, cultural and political activists were a part of this meeting. Issues and problems of sex workers were the focal point of this discussion. It turned out that one of the major concerns of the sex workers was regarding their children.

    As a result, on March 4, 1999 a meeting of a nascent ‘support team’ was held at ‘Anasooya’, Perumthanni, Thiruvananthapuram. The objective of this meeting was to understand and tackle the problems of sex workers. Ten supporting teams were formed in the meeting. They are (1) Legal Aid (2) Media (3) Network (4) Employment (5) Child Care (6) Night Shelter (7) Housing (8) Publication (9) Souvenir (10) Drop-in-Center.

    SUPPORT TEAM FOR CHILD CARE

    Members of this team were: Shaji Jose, Anil, Roja, Ajith Kumar, Sam L Sone, Prasad, J.Reghu, Manoj, Ravi K Arjun, Rose Mary, Shimna, Sudheer, Subhash, Sivan, Maitreya, Dr. Jayasree, Gowri G. and Koodal Sobhan.

    Our aim was two fold. Total rehabilitation of sex workers’ children and change the popular perception of these children being criminals. We started with the fact that while biology inherently and essentially doesn’t determine the future citizen, social situation often does. Hence we wanted to provide facilities and resources which would enable sex workers’ children resist the stigma and discrimination. We helped them use this adversity as a springboard to grow into better citizens and capable human beings.

    Later, this support team for child care grew into the organization called CHILLA.


    PRIMARY INITIATIVES

    We conducted a need Assessment study in Thiruvananthapuram to identify the most needy children. Out of the 187 children identified, 37 children who required immediate assistance were selected. Among the 37, those who had their own houses and those who were staying with relatives and friends were given only educational grants. The remaining 17 children were admitted in orphanages. Out of the 12 orphanages identified, only five were willing to take these children.

    Initially the decision was to admit the children only in centers which allow their mothers to be present at the time of admission. This was not allowed due to stigma of mothers being sexworkers. But another difficulty also arose. These children, though under our guardianship were taken away by their mothers without our knowledge. The center will inform us that the child is lost. A search will follow, locate and place the child back in the orphanage. But after three or four such incidents, the centers refused to take the children back.

    The mothers have nothing but the child. They are struggling every moment with police, gundas, auto drivers and the public to exist on the street. Their difficulties are countless and the stress unbearable. When they earn money, their only source of enjoyment is with their children. When they are beaten up, they want their children to share their sorrow. They can’t obey the rules and restrictions of the orphanages because they cannot meet the children when they are in need. At the same time the people in the orphanage will do their best to de-link the child from the mother in order to provide a ‘respectable’ identity for the children. Unintentionally they will turn the child against the mother by portraying her as a corrupting element in society. The existing morality and life style will justify it. In other words admitting a sex worker’s child in an orphanage simply means sex workers losing the right to be a mother.

    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

    Sex workers are isolated from society on the basis of their mode of living. It is often believed that sex workers should be educated about the need for protecting their own children as if they are not aware of it. But this is not the case. They are as much aware as any other mother about the care of their children. It is the double standard of the society, which makes it impossible for them. In fact many of the sex workers are on the street working to fend for their children and other family members.

    In the past there have been many attempts to rehabilitate the children of sex workers by different organizations. But most of the times it will not give the expected result because when these children are admitted in other institutions, they will be discriminated by staff and inmates. Some sex workers do admit their children in boarding schools without revealing their identity. The result is the starting of a saga of hide and seek and a plethora of lies, which create so much tension for the mothers and the children.

    Small babies and pre-school children are often looked after by beggars in the street, or by some former sex workers who are friends or by relatives. They will have to pay exorbitant amounts to make this happen and when the mothers are arrested and imprisoned, the children are left to the mercy of these caretakers. Actually the neglect of the children starts when the mothers are arrested and imprisoned for there is none to provide for their expense. The mothers, after their term in the prison, have to take the child away and find a new place. Repeated placements and displacements do affect the well being of children.

    Usually, in the name of rehabilitation, the children of sex workers are removed and isolated from their mothers, which means the women losing the right over their children and the children losing the affection of their mothers. Then the stigma of being a child of sex worker hangs as a Damocles’ sword over their head for the rest of their lives. The stigma and hate is reinforced between the child and mother by the supposed rehabilitation by separation.

    WE DON’T TAKE THE CHILDREN AWAY FROM THE SEX WORKERS; INSTEAD WE HELP THEM NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN. IT IS THEIR BASIC RIGHT TO HAVE AND OWN THEM.
    Chilla is a roosting place for sex workers’ children.

    We at Chilla help the children to become productive and responsible citizens who can function as active partners in the social development-process.

    We at Chilla make the children to realize their real identity (as sex worker’s children) and overcome the stigma and fight against the discrimination.

    We at Chilla help to equip them with jobs in job market by providing proper training in English and computer knowledge.

    We at Chilla help the younger generation (sex worker’s children) by arranging training programmes (in human rights, women’s right, child rights and campaigns against domestic violence, police violence etc.) even to lead the older generation to fight for their rights.
    To achieve our dream we have plans to purchase land and set up a building to run our home.

    WHY CHILLA

    All the existing centers for children in Kerala are orphanages. The children staying in these centers are considered as the center’s children and are orphans. But sex workers’ children are not orphans. They have their own mothers but sex workers. Most of the time, the mothers are in the streets for livelihood. They have no home or even shelter. So their children are also in the streets with them.

    The orphanages are not ready to admit these children as sex workers’ children. Even when they are admitted their mothers cannot visit them and they can’t get back their children when they are in need. In other words admitting a sex worker’s child in an orphanage simply means losing their motherhood.

    Chilla attempts to fill this gap. Chilla is a place for sex workers’ children where they can live together as sex worker’s children. Unlike other centers, there is no restriction for the mothers in accessing their children in our centre.

    More over Chilla was started as a part of a movement for the dignity of sex workers in the society, which enables the children not to feel stigmatized. They also don’t develop hatred towards their mothers or feel shame being a child of a sex worker.


    For more reading

    The children of sex workers face a number of problems due to the negative attitude of society. Some of the children are denied school admission because of their background. The children are discriminated and ostracized in schools, which affects them tremendously.

    Some of the children are admitted in private boarding schools paying exorbitant fees by their mothers. But when these women are sick or arrested and put in the jail, they will not be able to pay for the children.

    There are no facilities to look after small babies. For the same reason, some among them sell their babies just after delivery. Some of the women keep their children with other women during work, for which they will have to pay exorbitantly. Some women keep their children with close relatives. But the relatives usually do not allow the women to stay with them. This separates the child from mother. Some women take the children also along with them during work. This may give some protection to women, but the hostile street is so unhealthy for the children.

    There are very few residential centers, which admit the children of sex workers. In these centers, they do not allow the women to take back the children during vacation period, and in effect the women lose the child forever.

    The children undergo shame and psychological trauma during police arrests and are subjected to verbal abuse and social ostracism.

    The children are vulnerable and can be subjected to physical and sexual abuse. But most of the sex workers try to protect them, but it is a Herculean task given the situation.

    The health care facilities can never be properly utilized by the sexworkers because of the social exclusion.

    WHO WE ARE

    ANANNIA (An Invitation for New Initiatives) is an NGO of Professionals, Artists, Social workers and Activists who are committed themselves for the promotion of new initiatives for social change. We are in pursuit of quality of life.


    WHAT WE DO

    • Function as a roosting place for children of sex workers.

    • Placement of children in different boarding schools.

    • Provide Regular Schooling / Private Registration / Open school system

    • Provide additional educational coaching.

    • Provide educational grant for children.

    • Provide study materials, uniform etc.

    • Promote physical and psychological well-being of children through cultural / physical activities.


    CHILLA ALSO FUNCTION AS

    o Day care centre
    o Night shelter
    o Short-Stay home
    o Crisis intervention Center



    PROVIDES OUR CHILDREN

    Education
    Recreation
    Library
    Computer with internet facility
    Sports and avenues for cultural and aesthetic expressions
    Interaction with Public figures, technical experts etc.

    FACILITATES

    Networking of sex worker’s children all over the world
    Net working of like minded groups and agencies
    Advocacy with various social support systems and like minded groups and agencies



    OUR CHILDREN

    ACHIEVEMENTS

    We have initiated some housing programmes with the help of Habitat for Humanity India, Habitat Technology Group (Non Governmental Organizations) and housing programmes for the poor by Government of Kerala.
    For Sudha* (25 years, Vattappara, Thiruvananthapuram) we built a two bedroom house. After her studies she got a job in a N.G.O. Now she is living in her own house with her grand mother.
    After the studies Aswathy*(20 years, Vattappara, Thiruvananthapuram) got a job in an apparel park. We helped her to build a two bedroom house. Now she is living in her own house with her husband and infant.
    We helped a sex worker (Gomathy*40 years, Vattappara, Thiruvananthapuram) to build a two bedroom house. Now she is living in her own house with her two children.
    We helped Urvasi*(38 years, Adoor, Pathanamthitta) to build a three bedroom house and to start a business. Now she is running the scrap shop and living in her own house with her three children.
    We helped Fathima* (37 years, Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram) to build a two bedroom house and the building work is in progress. We hope that she can live in her own house with her children in the coming academic year.

    *name changed.

    CREATIVE WORKS

    Children’s Portraits (paintings), dancing (photos), scholarships etc.


    HOW TO CONTACT

    CHILLA
    House.No.A – 37, Vidhyadhi Raja Nagar,
    Poojappura P.O,
    Thiruvananthapuram
    Kerala, India - 695 012

    Tel: 0471 2350598
    Cell: 9387224468

    Email: chillaindia@yahoo.com
    Web: www.anannia.org



    GET INVOLVED



    MAKE A DONATION
    LOGO

    YOUR DONATION COULD HELP OUR CHILDREN ENVISION A BRIGHTER FUTURE

    Thank you for your interest in donating for CHILLA’s children! We are happy and moved by the response. Thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity.

    YES, I would like to donate the following amount to CHILLA.

    Amount in Rs. ___________________________________________________________

    Amount in foreign currency _________________________________________________

    Please make crossed Cheque/DD in favour of CHILLA

    Cheque No. / Draft No__________________________ Date____________________

    Bank/Branch: ____________________________________________________________

    CONTACT DETAILS:

    Name: Mr. /Ms.__________________________________________________________

    Address: ________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________Pin___________

    Telephone: ______________________________ Mobile: ________________________

    E mail: _________________________________________________________________

    Date of Birth: (optional) ___________________________________________________________

    Qualification: (optional)___________________________________________________________

    Occupation: (optional) _____________________________________________________________

    Interests/Hobbies: (optional) ________________________________________________________

    COMMENTS:

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________


    Please complete the form and send Cheque/D.D/M.O. to:

    Chilla, House No.A-37, Vidhyadhi Raja Nagar, Poojappura P.O
    Thiruvananthapuram, PIN 695012.



    THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN HELPING CHILLA!









    SPONSOR /SUPPORT A CHILD/CHILDREN

    For education, skill development, training etc.






    LOGO
    SPONSOR /SUPPORT A CHILD/CHILDREN

    Thank you for your interest in supporting a child / children in CHILLA!
    We are happy and moved by the response. Thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity.


    Please help us to determine your choice(s) by filling out the questions below:

    (i) One child’s total annual expenses
    □ Rs. 1500 X 12 = 18,000/- For □ children For □ 6months For □ 3months

    (ii) One child’s annual educational expenses (Kindergarten / Lower Primary)
    □ Rs. 6,000 for a child. For □ children For □ 6months For □ 3months

    (1ii) One child’s annual educational expenses (upper Primary)
    □ Rs. 6,000 for a child. For □ children For □ 6months For □ 3months

    (ii) One child’s annual educational expenses (High School)
    □ Rs. 6000 for a child. For □ children For □ 6months For □ 3months

    (ix) Annual salary of one full-time CHILLA Caregiver
    □ Rs. 4000 X 12 = 48,000 p.a. For □ 6months For □ 3months

    (xii) Expense of a day's picnic for all children.
    □ Rs.10, 000 □ Rs.6, 000


    CONTACT DETAILS:

    Personal Details (Optional)

    Name: Mr./Ms./Dr. _______________________________________________________

    Address:________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________Pin___________

    Telephone: ______________________________ Mobile: ________________________

    E mail: _________________________________________________________________

    Date of Birth: ___________________________________________________________

    Qualification: ____________________________________________________________

    Occupation: _____________________________________________________________

    Interests/Hobbies: ________________________________________________________

    Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _________________

    COMMENTS:

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________


    Please complete the form and:

    a) Send as an email to:
    chillaindia@yahoo.com

    b) Send a signed copy to:
    Chilla, House No. A-37, Vidhyadhi Raja Nagar, Poojappura P.O
    Thiruvananthapuram, PIN 695012.


    THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN HELPING CHILLA!





    VOLUNTEER
    CHILLA LOGO
    Volunteer Application Form

    Thank you for your interest in volunteering for CHILLA! Thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, ingenuity and your generous offer of assistance.

    Please help us to determine how to make the best use of your skills as a volunteer by filling out the questions below:

    1. GENERAL INFORMATION

    First Name: _________________________ Last Name: __________________________

    Address:________________________________________________________________

    _______________________________________________________________________

    City: _______________________ State:________________ Postal Code: ___________

    Home #: (_____)______________________ Business #:______________ext._________

    Cell#: (_____) __________________ Email: ___________________________________

    What is your preferred method of communication?
     Mail  Phone  Fax  E-mail

    How did you find out about CHILLA?

     Word-of-mouth  Friend
     Work place  Special Event
     Media (e.g. television, newspaper)  other

    What best describes your current situation?

     Employed  Retired  Seeking work  Student  Other

    AVAILABILITY

    Please tell us about your availability:

    Start date: (dd/mm/yy) ______________ End date: (dd/mm/yy) ________________

    Hours per week: ______________

    Please indicate the times when you could be available for volunteering.
    (AM: 6:00am - 12:00pm, PM: 12:00pm -10:00pm)


    AM PM
    Monday
    Tuesday
    Wednesday
    Thursday
    Friday
    Saturday
    Sunday

    AS A VOLUNTEER YOU CAN
    Promote, raise funds and take other initiatives for Chilla.


    PLEASE SELECT YOUR AREA OF INTEREST AND EXPERTISE:

    General Education
    Health Education / Awareness
    Self Help Programs

    Fund raising

    Promotion
    Others

    REFERENCE:

    This should be an employer/supervisor/head of the institution or an individual known through community involvement that you have known for at least 6 months.

    Name: ______________________________________________

    Email: ______________________________ Phone: (_____)____________________

    Relationship to Applicant:________________________________________________
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS

    CONSENT

    I hereby authorize CHILLA to obtain references from the above individual in connection with my application for a volunteer position.
    I hereby certify that all information included in this application form is true and complete. I agree to all the terms and conditions stated above.

    Signature: ________________________________ Date: _________________________



    a) Send as an email to:
    chillaindia@yahoo.com

    b) Send a signed copy to:
    Chilla, House No. A-37, Vidhyadhi Raja Nagar, Poojappura P.O
    Thiruvananthapuram, PIN 695012.



    THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN HELPING CHILLA




    SUPPORT FOR LAND AND BUILDING

    CHILLA LOGO

    YOUR DONATION COULD HELP OUR CHILDREN TO GET A DIGNIFIED LIVING

    Thank you for your interest in donating for CHILLA’s children! We are happy and moved by the response. Thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity.


    YES, I would like to donate the following amount to CHILLA to fulfill the dream own house.

    Amount in Rs. ___________________________________________________________

    Amount in foreign currency _________________________________________________

    Please make crossed Cheque/DD in favour of CHILLA

    Cheque No. / Draft No__________________________ Date____________________

    Bank/Branch: ____________________________________________________________

    CONTACT DETAILS:

    Personal Details

    Name: Mr./Ms./Dr. _______________________________________________________

    Address:________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________Pin___________

    Telephone: ______________________________ Mobile: ________________________

    E mail: _________________________________________________________________

    Date of Birth: (optional) ___________________________________________________________

    Qualification: (optional)___________________________________________________________

    Occupation: (optional) _____________________________________________________________

    Interests/Hobbies: (optional) ________________________________________________________

    COMMENTS:

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________________


    Please complete the form and send Cheque/D.D/M.O. to:

    Chilla, House No. A-37, Vidhyadhi Raja Nagar, Poojappura P.O
    Thiruvananthapuram, PIN 695012.



    THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN HELPING CHILLA!


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