"I don't want any publicity for the jobs I am doing....I do it for my personal satisfaction" said one of the Senior executives  of a medium sized IT company at Bangalore.  This person has given scholarships worth around Rs.50,000/- to the 'street children' for their education, besides finding time to teach them personally during week ends at Bangalore.  Mrs Kanchana Ravichandran, one of the members of India Vision group spotted him, she was was totally amazed that in this day and age there are people who still like to be left alone to continue their good work without the media blare. The person she  tried to interview,  absolutely refused to be interviewed. She  had an informal talk which she  complied into some semblance of an interview. The real name is withheld and fictitious initials (KS)  are given to provide credibility. This interview was taken in Chennai and continued in Bangalore with him and the street kids during the middle of July 2004.     

'KS' runs a programme  for street children in an old Christian School. Every Saturday between 1 p.m and 3 p.m, he and his mentors take 'spoken English' class for children ranging from 3^rd to 10^th classes.

Kanchana: Can you tell me what made you to help the street children?   

KS: One day I was driving from my office and waiting at a signal. A little boy not much older than my own son came to me and asked me to buy an item as he wanted to go 'home'. The word “HOME” touched a cord in me, and though I had no intention of buying, I anyway paid him and told him to go home. He refused to take the money saying that he was not a beggar, he would go to  another car and would go  home when he sold it. The boy’s determination and pride impressed me so much and the more I looked around, I realized that what all these kids lacked was an 'opportunity'.

Kanchana: How did you provide such an opportunity?

KS: I decided to help such children and went to a school which catered to the 'street children' and gave scholarships to the children to enable them to pay for their schooling.  During the current year, I have given away around Rs.50,000/- to nearly 20 children during this year.  I collect money from my friends for this purpose. Even in the previous years, I have given such help. 

Kanchana: What is the progress of the kids?                                                                                                

KS: In these last six months the children have become very confident. We keep telling them that nothing is impossible and you can see from their eyes that they have started believing in it. They can talk about themselves, their schools. They are so positive and do their work enthusiastically.   

Kanchana: How can we participate in such activities?             

KS: Each one can take up any school which caters to the underprivileged and give these children an opportunity to do better. Just a kind talk to these children goes a long way in motivating them. If each one took this up, we can bring down the juvenile crime rate to a great extent. When there are mentors to guide the children, these kids will be focused and give in their best. 

Kanchana : Can we help u to get publicity for this activity to draw more such volunteers to help you? 

KS :  I get few enquiries from educated people......but they expect me to project them and they expect publicity for themselves.  I am not interested in this.  I need only socially conscious and committed people to work with me. I have few people with me who share my concept.  I don't want to project myself or anybody who is working with me.  If somebody is interested like that, I have no hesitation in taking them along with me. 

[If anyone wishes to be a Mentor or make contributions please email to Mrs Kanchana Ravichandran ,  kanchrav@yahoo.com for more details ]