IT was in December 2005 that Fr. Brian
told me in a community meeting to organize a carpentry course
for Katkari adivasis of Raigad. I took up the challenge and
started meeting young boys and told them about the plan of the
carpentry course. I visited a dozen villages near and far, met
parents and convinced them of the benefit of this course. I
had several meetings with boys and parents. I spent my time,
energy, fuel (on my motorcycle) to reach out to different
villages.
Many boys had been
working in the brick kilns or going for other daily wages
work. After meeting and telling them that our scheme offered
free accommodation, free food, including breakfast, lunch, and
supper and Rs. 25 per day as stipend, twenty-five boys gave
their names and showed a lot of interest. I told them that we
would start the course from 1
st
June, 06. They all agreed.
To teach these boys,
I met 5 carpentry masters and selected one. I did not see
enthusiasm in them to teach these boys. They discouraged me.
They said, “You forget this idea, these boys will never come.”
And right enough, not a single boy turned up on 1
st
June, 06. It was a
frustrating experience. I did not give up. Again I visited
them. They gave me different reasons, why they did not come.
They earn daily Rs.60/- to 70/- and support their families and
their families depend on them.
Their cultural
background is also different. They work two or three days and
then they take rest. Some of them will drink and make merry.
When the money is over they will work again. I told them that
in the long run it will help if they had some skills. Skills
will always be useful and they can earn more. Skills will give
them confidence and dignity to stand on their own feet.
After visiting them
once more, 8 boys showed keen interest in learning. I told the
Jesuit community and they supported me in going ahead.
With the eight boys I
started the course. Of the 8 boys, there were 3 kolis, and 5
katkaris. After 2 weeks, 2 boys dropped out. The rest
completed the course. They learnt to make window-frames,
doorframes, tables, teapoys, sofas. We also gave them
certificates. It was a great satisfaction for all. These boys
not only learnt carpentry course but also learnt to cook their
own food.
They learnt to
prepare their breakfast, lunch, and supper. There was joy and
happiness on their faces.
The slogan of our course was – “Hosla buland
rakho”.
Events
Hosla Buland Rakho ("Keep your spirits
high!")