Faversham Times: Thought For The Week
Published 12 July 2012

I recently attended my youngest daughter’s Sports Award Assembly as a proud dad. The guest speaker spoke passionately from his experience as a professional footballer and encouraged the children to work hard and excel in their chosen sport. “Make the most of the opportunities you have,” he said.I’m glad for the opportunities that my children have had in their education. It’s something that is easily taken for granted. On my two trips to Kolkata I have seen how so many children, living on the streets, do not have the chance of any kind of education, and the negative impact that this has on their lives.

Fortunately, there are those working to give at least some of these children an education. The GNCEM (Good News Children’s Education Mission) schools for street children are run entirely by volunteer teachers. They wake up at 5am every morning to prepare food for the children. Then they drive round the streets of Kolkata in an old yellow bus, picking up any children off the streets who can be spared as beggars for the day. These children are taken to a small, one-roomed school where they are washed, fed, educated and loved.

This weekend Faversham has the opportunity to support  the Khushi Feet project which has been set up to promote and support this work. Education for street children in Kolkata really does change these children’s lives and  provides the footsteps to freedom that they deserve. Find out more at www.khushifeet.org.uk and see how you can help.

The picture shows Khushi the Cow (who has been visiting Faversham schools raising awareness of the project) at a Town Council meeting.