Wings shares the story of a retired speech therapist and special-education teacher, Rosalie Giffoniello, and her tireless efforts to educate children and adults in the slums of Kolkata, India. Her journey, inspired by the humanitarian work of Mother Teresa, began in the summer of 1999, when she visited one of Mother Teresa's homes, an orphanage for physically and mentally challenged children. She was shocked by what she found.

Photos were provided by both Rosalie and volunteers from Empower the Children.

Describe what you saw when you first walked into Mother Teresa's orphanage in Kolkata. How did this make you feel and what were your initial thoughts?

"My initial introduction to Daya Dan Orphanage in Kolkata was misleading. The building was well maintained, the children were clean, there was enough food and the nuns were very kind. However, all the children were lying on mats on the floor flailing their hands, which is a form of self-stimulation. Often autistic children engage in self-stimulation but I doubted that all the boys were autistic. Instead, I suspected the children were bored. I checked the boys carefully and found that there was nothing wrong with their legs yet none of them were walking. Also, there was nothing wrong with their hands yet they weren’t feeding themselves. I asked the sister-in-charge and she said, 'We have no experience with special-needs children. Can you help us?' Of course, I wanted to help. At the time I was working as a special educator and speech therapist in New Jersey and felt I could make a contribution. I wanted the boys to become independent which is the realistic goal for many special-needs children.

We began by teaching them to walk. We set up bamboo poles across the room and they walked holding on to them. They received one teaspoon of water as a ‘reward’ which they really appreciated because it was summer and very hot. Then we attached spoons to their hands using Velcro bands (otherwise they kept dropping the spoons) and eventually all the boys were feeding themselves. Before I left some of the boys were also dressing themselves. I felt very gratified that within two short months the boys were on their way to becoming independent but I also felt sad that I wouldn’t be there to watch them complete their journey. For this reason, when I returned to New Jersey I took an early retirement and went back to Kolkata to finish what I had started. The decision to return to Kolkata has changed my life."

What do the children need most?

"Children who grow up in slums or are disabled need self-confidence and a positive self-image. For generations, their forefathers were illiterate and worked at menial jobs. Unfortunately, at that time there was no choice because of the structure of the Indian society (i.e.: the caste system). Today, these children may be beaten or abused because their parents lack good parenting skills through no fault of their own. Often, the children are malnourished because the family is too poor to provide nutritious food which leads to lethargy and a high rate of illness. All of these problems must be addressed.

Through Empower The Children programs slum-dwelling and disabled children now have educational opportunities that allow them to change the way they view themselves. They can begin to think of themselves as successful students, not beggars, thieves or prostitutes. The girls can envision their future as independent women who are equipped to raise their children in a positive environment, imbuing them with good values and an appreciation for education. The boys can become good role models for their children by respecting women, treating their children with love and using the family’s income unselfishly.

Only through a shift in perspective of their own self-image will the children fulfill their potential. This transformation takes a lot of hard work but it is given a great deal of importance by our teachers. The students are fed a nutritious meal six days a week which has curbed absenteeism and increased concentration. It also gives the children the message that they are valued, that we care about their well-being and health. All the educational programs are structured so that the students will become well-rounded individuals. In addition to literacy classes everyone studies art, music, drama and the teenagers participate in a pre-vocational program where they learn skills to prepare them for future employment. The students are taken on outings so that they learn about their city and the world outside of the slums. Each year the children enact a drama to an audience of 500 people so they could receive recognition from mainstream society. All of these factors build self-confidence and self-esteem which is why it is critically important that these programs are well funded and become sustainable. With sufficient resources, these comprehensive programs will be available for as long as the children need them and no part of them will be cut because of financial constraints. For this reason, fund raising on behalf of the children is critically important, to ensure that the educational opportunities are never withdrawn or diminished."

Tell us about the ‘Celebration of Diversity’ Drama.

"Very often, special-needs children are hidden away in developing countries or used as beggars. It’s important to understand that the parents are often overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for a disabled child. They are busy working day and night to earn enough money to keep their families together. In many cases, the parents aren’t aware that services are available within the community. In other cases, the parents know about the services but find it impossible to use them. The time away from work and the cost of transport is a daunting obstacle for them and, if illiterate, they find the maze of medical referrals and the medical language confusing. So it isn’t lack of love that forces them to ignore their child’s needs.

The ‘Celebration of Diversity’ drama brings disabled children and non-disabled, slum-dwelling children together for a collaborative theater experience. It is equally valuable for both groups since both populations are often outside of mainstream society. During rehearsals the friendship and unity between the two groups is cemented and the differences between them soon dissolve. On the evening of the performance, everyone is dressed in spectacular costumes and it is impossible to tell the disabled from the non-disabled children as they perform a well-known Indian folk tale. The children hear the thunderous applause of 500 people as they take their bows. It is an opportunity for the children to prove that despite their dire circumstances they have talent and much to offer to society. It is a chance for the audien ce to affirm that they are ready to accept children who never before belonged or fit in."

What is your next goal?

"Educating the children has also led to educating the women. The mothers of our students came to us of their own volition and asked if they could also attend school. It was impossible to say “no." The mothers have become excellent role models for their children, conveying the message that education is important. My personal joy at seeing women learning new skills, becoming independent and contributing financially to the family is unbounded. The women themselves have expressed their heart-felt gratitude for the vocational training which, they say, has led to new-found respect from their husbands and in-laws. By focusing on the needs of women, the whole family gradually changes.

The vocational program of choice was tailoring so that the women could learn to make clothing. The next step is to start micro-financing schemes so that the women can buy sewing machines, fabric, thread, scissors, etc. and start their own businesses. However, there is also the option to seek employment outside of the home. Women feel empowered when they have options and can freely make choices.

The tailoring program has been a huge success but sewing isn’t for everyone so we plan to expand the vocational program to include beauty culture. With the emerging middle class in Kolkata, there is a growing number of women who can afford to go to the beauty salon. Greater personal wealth throughout the city has opened up a lot of opportunities and our women should be prepared to capitalize upon them."

Tell us the stories of three different women or children that demonstrate the power of what you are doing and the successes you are experiencing.

"Sultana is a vivacious, self-confident young lady. Living with nine other family members in one small room didn’t prevent her from studying and pursuing her goals. Both her parents are illiterate yet Sultana was determined to attend college and have a career. Empower The Children paid for Sultana’s tuition at a Hotel Management Institute in Calcutta for two years. The final year she was chosen to go to Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland on an exchange program between the two schools. Sultana now works at a five star hotel in Edinburgh and is paying for her sister, Afsana, to attend college. When she completes her studies, Afsana, in turn, will pay for her brother’s higher education. In this way, one success story leads to the next until the whole family has risen out of poverty.

Disabled children are often hidden away or used for begging. The lucky ones are brought to an orphanage where they are given the attention they need and deserve. Prabartak Home in Calcutta is one such home that cares for 60 mentally and physically challenged young adults ages 20-30 years. The residents live in a clean, nurturing environment and Empower The Children has added the educational component to their program. The residents study music, dance and art as well as the interactive language program that I teach every Saturday afternoon. For years, I depended upon a college professor to translate the lessons but gradually 20-year-old Nita, though mentally disabled, learned English and now translates. Nita is so proud of herself and, indeed, is very confident when she assists me. When I call her “our teacher”, Nita blushes with pride and self-assurance. Despite a very tenuous beginning, Nita has accomplished something she probably never dreamed possible - and she inspires others.

Vocational training is critically important for women so they can gain independence and respect as well as earn money to help their families. The tailoring program at Preyrona 3 school has proved a huge success with over 40 women attending the program regularly. The woman are learning to make clothing which gives them the option to work from their own home or seek employment outside of the home. For Asha, the choice is clear. She lost her leg in an accident many years ago and wears a prosthesis. 'I am an amputee and wear a wooden leg. It is difficult for me to travel long distance by bus because I get physical discomfort. Thanks to the vocational training program I now have the skills to work from home.' Asha’s appreciation is echoed by all the women: 'Before, we were dependent upon others which made us feel less valuable. After this training we have become skilled in tailoring and capable of contributing to our families. Now we are perfect women!'"

What would you like to tell our audience of mothers and daughters about your connection to these children and what your work has brought to you, as a woman with wings and a human being in the world?

"The children have stars in their eyes that shine with innocence and trust. This trust must never be violated. This is what I bring to my work in Calcutta. Although I have no children of my own, I feel that every child I meet is, in some way, my responsibility, particularly children who are disadvantaged or disabled. Unfortunately, children living in slums may not have persons on which to place their trust. They cannot always depend upon their parents who are working day and night, struggling to keep the family together. Likewise, mainstream society is often short-sighted and may view these children as a burden rather than the next generation ready to become productive citizens when given opportunity and encouragement. And so, it makes sense that the children put their trust in their teachers. At the beginning of the school day, the students are queued up in front of the door. The line snakes through the slum all the way out to the main road. The children seek a safe haven in school and embrace the education and guidance offered them. They beg us not to close the school for summer vacation even though the temperature and humidity make sitting in the small classroom, shoulder to shoulder on mats on the floor, uncomfortable if not unbearable. When one of the teachers fell ill, the students spontaneously started to pray for him.

Disadvantaged and disabled children in Kolkata have few natural advocates so it becomes the responsibility of outsiders to assume that role. Thankfully, it is a role that brings joy and fulfillment. In countries where material well-being is the norm, often frustration and emotional emptiness are also the norm. In my experience I have discovered that the key to making an ordinary life into a meaningful one is helping others and this can be done in small ways. Not everyone has to move to Calcutta. It isn’t a geographical shift that is necessary - it is a psychological shift. It entails seeing others as kinsmen in the family of man. From this perspective, I am connected to the children of Kolkata - their success is my success and their happiness is my happiness."

If you would like to connect with Rosalie, please email her (her username is Giffoniello) by becoming a member of Wings. If you would like additional information on Empower the Children, please visit http://www.empower-children.org.

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