“I don't play with clay anymore…I go to school!

Dhina loves to attend school for two reasons: Firstly, the hot meal and secondly, the shelter that the school provides. His life otherwise, is oppressively mundane amidst sand mounds and pits, bricks and clay.

Since Dhina belonged to the community of brick kiln workers his playmates were none other than children of the same community. He lead life without much worry to attend school since his father Agasti too was not keen enough.

But Dhina's life was soon to change! The ActionAid project staff that worked to organise a migrant brick kiln workers team lobbied with the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) of the Andhra Pradesh and Orissa governments to fund a bridge school for children in the brick kiln area.

The school was started in whichever building and space available. And after rigorous canvassing the staff members persuaded some children to attend classes.

Since the students were provided a mid day meal- the school seemed a big attraction, and Dhina was no exception. Even though Agasti is keen on having his son to assist him rather than studying, Dhina attends school and quite likes it.

“It gives me a reason to go to school regularly. I am healthier, don't fall sick very often and have stopped playing in clay,” quips Dhina who does not assist his father in work but sometimes engages in making a clay ball or two.