The Children of Topsia – Week 2 (3 – 9th Feb) PWB India

During the second week the team started to find a rhythm but this was quickly interrupted by mass illness. We were plagued by ‘Delhi Belly’ and what we dubbed the ‘Kolkata Cough’. The hygiene standards of the street food vendors were poor at the best. Plus the heavily polluted and smoggy air of this massive city was a probable cause attributed to our illness.

This did however not stop the team and we pushed forward with the project. During the second week our focus shifted slightly to ‘The Children of Topsia’ an NGO working with underprivileged children in the slums of Topsia. Their aim is to provide the basic education needed by the children so they can pass a basic entrance exam and be accepted into the Indian schooling system. PWB has been working with this NGO for the past couple years and has become a highlight to all the children involved. Each year PWB spends a week working with the children and at the end hosts a day in the park where the kids perform a ‘mini show’ for their family, friends and community.

On our first visit to Topsia we were barely through the door and the children erupted into cheering. Circus, circus, circus! We were almost instantly surrounded by what seemed like hundreds of over excited children all wanting to shake our hands or give us welcoming hugs. Once we finally managed to calm the children to a panic we managed to introduce ourselves and start teaching.

The conditions we were teaching in were challenging to put it lightly. We had almost 100 children and only 3 tiny rooms in which to teach. The small indoor space with masses of children also meant it was very loud. But this is India and we would just have to make due with what we have. After a few days of sustained work with the children we saw incredible progress in skills and confidence. It was almost time for the big weekend where they would be performing in their very own show.

The Children of Topsia Playing on Show Day

On the day of the show we arrived what we thought would be early, before the kids got there. Instead we were greeted by the majority of the children, some of which had been there a couple hours already. This just reinforced how important and special this day was to them. Shortly after our arrival the days activities began.

It was a hot sunny day, the large park that usually stood empty was now full of children, running playing and having fun. I think it is important to mention that special permission had to be obtained by the local council for us to use the Park; usually it is locked to the public and not available to the children. There was a small unreliable PA system that was playing all the latest Indian hits like ‘lungi dance’ when the system felt like working. The children started the day with kite flying. Then open box with the circus toys.

The kids then performed their show which included the following acts; plate spinning, diabolo, a dance routine and even a mime act! The audience cheered and clapped as the little ones did their show, the parents as proud as peacocks. The children bursting with confidence, all beaming with huge smiles over what they have achieved. It hits me then just how significant this all is and how much joy we have just brought these children and families.

Topsia River

I cannot begin to explain to you the harsh conditions most of these children grow up in and what a small chance of success they have of breaking the cycle of poverty. Most slum children do not have the opportunity to go to school. Instead they wander the streets, beg, work as child labourers and even steal. This is why the work of NGO’s like ‘The Children of Topsia’ and PWB is so important; to give these children the best possible chance of overcoming the challenges of poverty.

The sight of the children play in the sun, running around laughing, having fun is a very emotional one. Giving these kids the freedom to just be ‘kids’ for one day and forget about the hardships. The learning of performance arts and circus arts is something that they would never normally have had exposure to. Something they never thought they could do and suddenly there they are spinning a diabolo and doing tricks. This builds confidence from the core. Making them realise they can do anything; they just need to apply themselves and work towards it.

By the end of week 2 I think many of the team had a feeling of achievement and fulfilment.

By Bruno Kopf