Batul Mukhtiar, the Indian co-producer of the film, has been in regular contact with the kids, and has seen all of them very recently. This feature provides an update on the children's stories since making the film for Channel 4.
After discussing Deepa's situation with Deepa herself and her grandmother, Shobha, they and Batul decided that the best option for Deepa was to go to a home run by the Don Bosco Foundation, the same organisation that took Salaam in. Don Bosco were happy to take Deepa, and last Sunday (17/01/2010) Deepa packed a bag and went with Batul and Shobha to the school. Batul takes up the story:-
'Sadly once we got there she changed her mind and refused to stay. She cried and cried and so of course we took her back. The trouble is that although there are lovely sisters in charge, there are only 12 to 15 girls, aged three to 18, living in a room under the convent, so she didn't feel at home.
They are sent to a Marathi municipal school for a year, then to a private school and given additional classes in computers, English etc. They were bright and happy, but mostly street kids, which Deepa is not, so she felt uncomfortable. Shobha and I were a bit afraid that if we left her she may try to take the train (the station is only 5 minsutes away) and think she could head back home.
So I'm going to look at Goraj again, near Baroda. Santosh is also meeting her next week. A few of his friends are interested in helping the kids, and are willing to put together some money. He said he's had a look at a residential school in Pune (200 kms from here) which may take Deepa and her two younger brothers.'
As you know from the end of the film, Salaam ran away from the Don Bosco home just before the film was broadcast. But there has been good news since then. This is from Father William, the director of the Don Bosco shelter.
'Salaam ran away from the de-addiction centre at Lonavla and was on the railway platform at the Victoria Terminus Station. But our staff members tracked him down and he agreed to come back to Shelter. He was here with us for few days. This morning (21/01/2010) he told us about his family, gave us the address and the mobile number of his father. As a result I spoke to his father on the phone (his mother too spoke to me). Next week someone will go and verify the family (I think Batul may go as well) and take pictures for the file. Salaam's father is happy that we take care of his child and willing to give his consent in writing.
While Salaam was with us we had enrolled him in a dance school, something that he loves so much but even that did not motivate him stay with us. But hopefully now he will stay.'
The twins are well and happy and still obstinately enjoying their freedom and refusing to contemplate school! Batul has been trying to persuade them to consider going, but she cannot force them. This is the latest from Batul on the twins:-
'I just met some fantastic people in Dharavi. They run the Sri Sri Ravi Shanker Vidyalaya in Dharavi. The place is like a bright, calm, happy oasis amidst all the chaos of Dharavi slum. They have fabulous teachers. And every child has a similar background to Hassan and Hussein's. In two years they've done wonders with these kids. It wouldn't be too far to go to school for them, one stop on the train, and they could even walk at a crunch.
They have one teacher to every 20 kids, and know that they would have to give individual attention to the twins. Now we have a meeting slated with the kids after 24/01/2010. One of the teachers also suggested that they straight away start with vocational training, let the twins study only computers for the next five years, and maybe give their written board exams externally if they want to.'
Hopefully this will tempt the boys. Now it's only left to persuade them to go. The toughest task.
The website for the school is http://www.ssrvm.org/ssrvm/default.php.
