Sept. 28: From next year they will no longer have to carry the tag of ragpickers with their names. Like other children they will be attending classes. School bags will finally replace sacks of rag on their lean shoulders.

Thanks to a six-month-long initiative of the Guwahati Street Children Project (GSCP), dreams of 20 orphans for whom school was just a luxury, will come true.

The GSCP has been working for the children living on the streets for the last nine years. However, this is for the first time the child labourers under its guidance will be get access to formal education. The children used to earn their livelihood by collecting rags from the street corners. But from now on they will no longer have to live a sub-human existence.

“We will also extend all kind of support to them. We are also looking for sponsors to help us in this mission,” Gamliel Sherio, project manager of GSCP, said.

“It’s a kind of challenge for us. The task is daunting and we will be the happiest persons on earth if our dream is fulfilled. Making them attend schools is an uphill task. It is always difficult to make the child labourers attend schools,” Sherio said.

“Once they start earning, it is hard to persuade them to go to school and take lessons. They can’t be blamed as bread tops the list in their priority chart.”

All the 20 children are now undergoing training in basic etiquette. Members of GSCP feel that way they will have no difficulty in getting adjusted to the new environment in schools.

“They need proper grooming. Many don’t even know how to converse. We are teaching them how to talk and behave like other children. They are shy to meet people,” Sherio said.

Members of the GSCP are teaching the children alphabets — both English and Assamese. They are learning the numbers as well.

Eight-year-old Fatima Begum who, till a few months back was a ragpicker, is quite elated that she will be attending schools like other children.

“It had been my dream. I always wanted to go to a school. The dream was shattered after my parents died. With nobody to look after me, I had to take up ragpicking. I was only four then. I had no choice, I had to survive,” lamented Fatima.

But her sad days will be over soon when she will be attending school.

“I have got a new bag and an uniform and I am ready to attend school,” Fatima said with a smile.

GSCP is now running four non-formal education centres at Bamunimaidam, Board Gauge colony, Bhaskar Nagar and Pathar Quarry. Vocational courses are also offered to the children.