Social Justice

In the touching life stories of Amin Sheikh, a former street kid turned author, and Danappa, whose journey from a rag-picker to a successful professional paints a remarkable tale of triumph over adversity, we catch a glimpse of the immense challenges faced by India’s street children.

Amin Sheikh, who wrote the book “Life is Life: I am Because of You,” shares his painful experience: “Like thousands of other kids who don’t have homes, I begged, I stole, I polished shoes. I did everything that came my way to get at least one meal a day.”  Together with his sister Sabira, they found refuge at Snehasadan, a haven for homeless children in Mumbai, under the compassionate care of Sr Seraphine and Fr Placido Fonseca SJ. Today Aman runs a library café, is a travel guide and supports other street children.

Danappa, arrived in Bangalore’s City Market at the tender age of 12, fleeing abuse from his stepmother. After four months of working as a rag-picker, he was diagnosed with Scabies. In 1980, Br George Kolashany SDB and his companions, pioneers of BOSCO Mané, rescued him. Danappa, initially resistant to staying indoors, found solace in the freedom of street life. Despite opportunities for education and work at Kristu Jyothi College, he kept returning to the streets. After realizing the value of the support offered by BOSCO Mané, Danappa eventually committed to his education, completing both school and college studies. With the guidance of Fr George Kolashany SDB, he secured a job. Danappa, now a manager at a prominent Company, not only transformed his own life but is actively involved in employing and training other street children, echoing the ripple effect of positive change. Both these stories unfold as a testament to the trans-formative power of support provided by organizations like Snehasadan and BOSCO Mané. These inspiring success stories, facilitated by the intervention of men and women religious, priests and others, underscore the potential for creating a better world for vulnerable youth.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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Forced displacement, a heart-wrenching reality affecting millions worldwide, takes a toll on individuals and families, leaving scars that go beyond physical borders. As we reflect on this issue, personal stories from people shed light on the harsh realities faced by those forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. One friend, who migrated to Germany due to the Ukraine-Russia war vividly recalls the trauma experienced by her two-year-old daughter during thunderous sounds. These were not just thunder; they were the echoes of war in Ukraine. Another friend, also in Germany, grapples with the challenges of studying amidst constant worry. Her husband and son are back in Ukraine, fighting for their homeland. Beyond the immediate threat of war, displaced individuals endure hardships such as lack of food, healthcare, housing, and employment, losing not only their homes but more so their communities.
The statistics paint a grim picture, with refugees and asylum-seekers constituting nearly 38% of the 108.4 million forcibly displaced people globally (UNHCR, 2023). The term ‘forced displacement’ itself encompasses those fleeing persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations, emphasizing the involuntary nature of their movement. Moving to the regional level, Manipur, a state in India, grapples with ethnic clashes between the Meitei majority and the Kuki-Zo minority, resulting in violence and displacement. Hundreds have lost their lives, and tens of thousands have fled their homes, seeking refuge in government-run camps. This internal conflict raises profound questions about humanity and compassion.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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When I was teaching in a school at Bellary, Karnataka, many years back, a mother approached me, expressing her desire for a personal conversation. She revealed her unfulfilled dream of becoming an engineer due to financial struggles. Now, with the means to support her children’s education, she wanted her daughter to be a doctor and her son an engineer. She urged me to pressure them to excel academically. This situation may resonate with many parents. This prompts me to ask the question: Are we projecting our unfulfilled dreams onto our children, or are we allowing them to discover and pursue their own passions? As teachers and parents, let us support our children in uncovering their hidden potentials and fulfilling their unique aspirations.

Relentless Competition

After attending parent-teacher meetings and signing their children’s Progress Reports, many parents are eager to know the grades of other students, fostering a sense of competition. However, it is crucial to question whether we are teaching our children to compete with themselves. Rather than encouraging healthy self-improvement, an excessive focus on outperforming others can lead to a lifelong pattern of relentless competition. It is essential to guide our children to compete with their own capabilities. If we instill a mindset solely focused on surpassing others, they may carry this attitude into their professional lives, creating a stressful and potentially harmful work environment. This hyper-competitive spirit may drive them to constantly pursue material success, leaving little room for life’s joys and potentially harming relationships with others.

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Discussing social issues, Sister Lini recounts the inspiring example of Father Jeremias George, who played a pivotal role in comforting numerous families grappling with the challenges of educating and nurturing their children. His unwavering commitment and compassionate actions brought hope and relief to families in need.

“Fr. Jeremias, a true godsend, saved my life when I was a heart patient. His unwavering support extended to medical and educational help for our family. We owe him for every blessing, from healthy food to annual Christmas cakes, despite our financial struggles. He’s not just a priest; he is a loving father who wiped our tears and brought smiles to many faces in our community.” – Bibin from Kanyakumari.

 “My daughter’s dream of pursuing nursing seemed impossible due to our financial struggles as uneducated parents. Thankfully, I reached out to Fr. Jeremias, who wholeheartedly supported her education. We are immensely grateful, and when she starts working, we will help other needy children.” – Mrs. Mary from Nagercoil.

 Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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We, Novices of the Medical Mission Sisters, had the privilege of attending a week-long seminar at St. Joseph Convent School in Khandwa. This seminar, organized by the Pratyek group from Delhi, focused on integrating justice and advocacy into education. The seminar proved to be an eye-opening experience and a source of inspiration. We learned how to become advocates for justice through various activities such as group work, games, and chart paper presentations. One particularly meaningful moment was when we paused for a minute of silence amidst our busy activities, listening to the sound of a bell. This simple act helped us connect with the present moment and appreciate its significance.

Child Advocacy

We learned about child advocacy and how crucial it is because children’s rights are often overlooked by both families and society. A game showed us the importance of a stable family, having a home, and adapting to different life situations. We realized that being a child advocate is a challenging role, requiring courage, risk-taking, determination, patience, understanding, and humility. Every activity encouraged us to think about why child advocacy matters. We understood that it begins within ourselves, inspiring us to advocate for each other. We also discovered the various influences on a child’s development, from the family to the nation. In one activity, we symbolized this protection and a child’s rights by having the child lie on the floor, surrounded by four circles of people representing different levels of support, from the family to the nation.

Novice Lungsinliu Joycy Gonmei

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Violence is not just a crime against individuals; it is a direct assault on the collective soul of humanity.  The 2023 Annual Report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in India sheds light on a deteriorating situation that threatens the very essence of the nation’s societal fabric.   The alarming findings, from various reports, with a particular focus on the Manipur state, shed light on the following crucial points:

Promotion of Hindu Majoritarian Ideology: The reports unearth a disturbing trend wherein significant factions and agencies appear to be propagating a Hindu majoritarian ideology. This endorsement, in turn, has given rise to a series of discriminatory and, at times, violent actions against religious minorities, most notably the Muslim, Christian, and Adivasis communities. Such actions infringe upon the principles of religious freedom and tolerance enshrined in the nation’s constitution.

Erosion of Minority Rights: Recent years have witnessed an unsettling decline in religious freedom, characterized by the endorsement and enforcement of discriminatory laws and practices. This erosion of minority rights has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, resulting in increased vulnerability and marginalization. The disconcerting release of Bilkis Bano rape convicts exemplifies the discriminatory stance even in cases of violence against women, further exacerbating concerns about the state of justice and human rights in the nation.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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In 2009, I was sent to Stella Maris College in Chennai to pursue my Bachelors in Social Work.  As our Provincialate was in Bangalore, I had to go for a meeting there.  I was returning to Chennai after the meeting, the same evening. As was the custom some of our MSC sisters accompanied each other to the railway station or bus stand when traveling to other cities. However, on this particular occasion, I was leaving alone.  As my bus was at 10:00 PM, I planned to leave the house at 8:30 PM. When my fellow sisters and the Provincial came to bid me farewell, someone questioned why no one was accompanying me. To my surprise, our then Provincial, Sr. Sophy MSC, responded promptly, “She is a Little Lioness; she will manage by herself as she is a courageous sister.” These words have always motivated me. Before writing this article, I decided to look up the meaning of “Little Lioness” on Google.  It described a “humanitarian and generous individual” who endeavors to make the world a better place and possesses the admirable trait of self-sacrifice. I am profoundly grateful to Sr. Sophy for recognizing my potential and placing her faith in me as a young sister. It is through God’s grace and the belief and trust shown by my superiors that I have become the person I am today. Trusting, respecting, and granting women their space is crucial; it empowers them to achieve wonders.

Women are indeed wonder makers. However, Mother Earth, though often referred to with maternal connotations, has sadly become the fourth most dangerous place in the world for women to live in. As a social worker, I have listened to stories of numerous women who face immense challenges and hardships. Shanu, grew up in difficult circumstances with an abusive and alcoholic father and a silent mother. Her early life was marred by fear and loneliness. Despite the distressing environment, she eventually had to marry Anjan to fulfill her mother’s wish. Tragically, Shanu’s marriage became another source of pain as her husband was already in love with someone else, leaving her feeling unwanted and insecure.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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Mohan, originally from Kerala, came to Bangalore in search of employment two decades ago. After being unjustly dismissed from his job due to an altercation, he found himself without any support. Desperate and destitute, he resorted to drinking and eventually ended up sleeping on the streets. Tragically, his belongings were stolen, leaving him with nothing. With a fractured leg and no prospects, he was forced into begging.
Homelessness is a pressing issue, with individuals like Mohan facing adversities that push them to the streets. The homeless struggle daily, resorting to crime, substance abuse, and even prostitution to survive. Children and families also suffer, deprived of basic necessities. This misery stems from a lack of housing and support systems. The stark contrast between extreme wealth and destitution underlines the need for compassionate action and upliftment.
In a 1977 interview, St. Mother Teresa expressed deep admiration for the strength and resilience of the poor. She urged people to empathize and actively connect with those in need, emphasizing that they have much to teach us. St. Mother Teresa discouraged pity or sympathy but instead urged understanding and learning from their struggles. She encouraged individuals to open their eyes, walk the streets, and engage with the poor, recognizing their humanity and the valuable lessons they offer. St. Mother Teresa believed that to truly love and understand the poor, one must embrace a sense of poverty within themselves.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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Child marriage, defined as a union where the boy is under 21 years of age and the girl is under 18, continues to persist in India despite regulations like The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006. Shockingly, according to UNICEF reports, 27% of girls in India are married before the age of 18, and 7% even before they reach 15.It is estimated that 650 million women worldwide have been married in childhood itself. Of these, half the number is shared among five countries – India, Brazil, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Child marriage is a grave issue that persists in many parts of the world, violating the rights of millions of girls and boys. It robs children of their childhood, education, and future prospects.

My Experience

While working at BOSCO Child-line, Bangalore, we encountered numerous instances of child marriage. Sometimes, we received urgent calls reporting an impending child marriage. On one occasion, at 9:00 AM, we received a call informing us about a 14-year-old girl’s imminent marriage scheduled for 10:30 AM. Acting swiftly despite the heavy traffic in Bangalore, we reached the wedding venue. To our dismay, we found the young couple already seated for the ceremony. With the assistance of the police, we intervened, halted the marriage, and rescued the girl. We promptly took her to CWC, Bangalore. Despite facing threats from the family members for our intervention, we remained undeterred. We persist in responding to the pleas of children trapped in such forced marriages.

In this essay I will explore the reasons behind child marriage, its consequences, and the urgent need for concerted efforts to eradicate this harmful practice.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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In this poignant article, Sr Lini sheds light on the reality of child sexual abuse within the family by presenting three true incidents. She describes the details of the abuse suffered by these innocent children, highlighting the devastating and far reaching consequences it has on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, as well as their overall growth and development. Through these incidents, Sr Lini underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect children from sexual abuse, and stresses the critical role that religious can play in safeguarding the children under their care.

Child sexual abuse is a critical issue in India, particularly when it comes to abuse within the family. Sadly, the problem is often shrouded in secrecy, and a culture of silence exists around it.

The Case of Anju (Name changed)

Anju, a 14-year-old girl from Kerala, was sexually abused by her father from the age of six while her parents were working in the U.S.  When I first met Anju, I was heartbroken to see how disturbed the child looked. Anju’s mother was always present and did not allow me to speak to her daughter alone. I could tell that Anju was scared in her mother’s presence. So, I asked to speak to Anju privately, and the child eventually opened up. Anju’s father used to work the night shift at the supermarket, and her mother would go to the shop early in the morning as her father returned home. It was during these early morning hours that Anju’s father sexually abused her, a tiny innocent bud. As the years went by, Anju’s behavior changed, and when her mother finally found out about the abuse, she accused Anju of lying and blaming her father unnecessarily. Eventually, Anju’s father admitted to the abuse, and her mother rushed to India with her daughter for treatment.

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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