Non-profit Baal Dan Charities

Railway stations are often “trapping grounds” for children who may have run away from abusive homes, child labor groups and gangs. Once at the railway, the children are vulnerable to abuse from police, gangs, drug dealers and sexual predators. Social workers and charities such as CiniAsha create a safe haven (in the form of a shelter manned with social workers and phone helpline) at the railways and do outreach to these children at night. Whenever possible, children are reunited with parents, or sent to halfway houses for further treatment and rehabilitation providing the child a way out of this dire situation.

My name is Tanya Pinto and I am 31 years old. My grandfather was an orphan in India, and although he passed away before I was born, I made a promise that one day, I would go to India and do something to help orphans. I decided to take a 3-month sabbatical in 2005 and volunteer at Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Calcutta, India. The experience was life-changing.

A friend gave me $50 to buy the kids in the orphanage candy. When I got to India, I realized this was over 2000 rupees! $1 equaled 43 rupees. After some bargaining at the local markets, here's what I purchased with that $50:

       - 300 pairs of children's underwear

       - 100 notebooks

       - 100 pencils

       - 2 bags of candy

When I emailed my friend and told him all the things I bought with his $50, and how in a small way he helped 300 children, he said, "If I had known how $50 could help so many children, I would have given you a lot more money."

Baal Dan Charities is a US-Based 501c3 that was created to help the 18 million street children in India. Some of these children live, work and beg at railway stations, and Baal Dan invests and funds local Indian-based charities that specialize in helping these vulnerable children. Baal Dan has worked with CiniAsha, a Calcutta-based charity since 2006 providing supplies, food for their projects and activity days for the children in CiniAsha’s care.

Baal Dan's strategy is based on not “recreating the wheel” but rather on investing and supporting already existing Indian charities and projects for street children that are doing excellent work and need support. This way, Baal Dan does not need to spend funds raised on setting up similar infrastructure and staffing. Funds raised can go straight to the grassroots organizations that need help.

Baal Dan Charities provides educational materials and learning aides, toys and supplies for needy children ages 3-16. These street children, runaways, and children who have been abused end up staying in the shelters more and on the streets less.

Name of Organization:Baal Dan Charities
Number of Paid Staff:0
Number of Volunteers:10-15
Total Organizational Expenses:$23,677
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:18%

Railway children are a common sight in India, and they are often invisible. In America, a project like this would not even be necessary. It is hard to explain that a 5 year old can be living on a railway platform with no supervision or care – yet this is the case in India. There are many vulnerable children living in unimaginable situations – and they are unique.

Dear Tanya,

We, the children and staff of CINI ASHA, have been ever so grateful for the support we have received from you over the last 2 years. With the global recession, the number of children on the streets who need our care, are increasing day after day, and the funds provided by you to feed them, give them clothes and take them on outings to breathe in fresh air and have some recreation away from the noise, pollution and crowds of Kolkata, have proved to be wonderful. The children in Sealdah remember your visits to them and the hours you spent playing carrom, chatting with them, as well as the outings you organized for them.

They look forward to getting continued support from you over the coming years. With warm regards from us all and thanks again

Veena Lakhumalani

Bishodi, 14 years old
Bishodi's parents separated and his father remarried a few years ago. He spent most of his childhood picking up bottles and even worked as a bell boy in a hotel. He used to drop by the shelter located at Sealdah train station occasionally. Over time, he started to trust the social workers and decided to live at the center where he received counseling. He was then moved to the Halfway House and will soon be joining a vocational training program that is conducted by Don Bosco Boys School in Calcutta. There are a number of options for Bishodi depending on what interests him and what he shows an aptitude for. There are courses in carpentry, computer repairs, car mechanics and basic computing.

Raju, 14 years old
Raju comes from a big family. His father makes a living by selling vegetables and he would help his father by taking care of his younger siblings and also begging. He is a good natured boy, and because he is the eldest, he has a strong sense of responsibility. He started to drop in to the railway shelter, and although he still misses his family, he realized that this was a way for him to have more of a secure future and gain some skills, so one day he can return and provide for his siblings. But at 14, Raju is completely illiterate. He has been at the Halfway House since December, 2007 learning life skills and he has adjusted well. Raju will also attend the Don Bosco vocational training program. The social workers that work with Raju adore him and said to me that they know whatever he ends up doing, he will do well because he is so responsible and he tries very hard at everything he does. In fact, when the little kids come into the center, it is often Raju that will look out for them and help out the social workers when need be.

Clothing the Unclothed - Malbish Arumim
Ending Hunger - Mazon
Kindness leads to Kindness - Chesed Gorer Chesed
Mitzvah Hero - Abir Mitzvah
Poverty - O’ni

There are a number of ways for youth to get inspired by tackling the core issues that Baal Dan is concerned with: India, Street Children, Lack of Educational Opportunities. Some project ideas include the following:

“Telling the story…”

Most Americans have no idea that India has more malnourished children than Sub Saharan Africa. Or, that India has over 18 million street children. Or, that 1000 children in India die each day from diarrhea disease (reported in the Economist Magazine).

If we can raise awareness of the plight of street children in India, we can collectively raise more money for all charities focused on this issue. Right now, there is a film screening called “Slumdog Millionaire.” The kids could watch the movie, do research and come up with a way to tell the story about this cause. They can be creative with this and decide for themselves the most compelling way to create awareness: a short film, a web video, a book, a brochure, a speech they write, a photo essay.

I can supply them with additional photos and research but they can do a lot of research from the Internet and even interview people working in India, or the producers of films like “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Born into Brothels”, etc.

The “Story” could then be used as a way for them to raise funds. This could even expand to a competition, and the winning team can be featured on baaldan.com and JChoice.org.

Baal Dan also offers volunteer opportunities for college students and working professionals in Austin and Dallas. Volunteers from the USA also come to India to help the Program Director with projects.

Name:Tanya Monalisa Pinto
Title:President/Founder
Address:2919 Country Place Ct Carrollton, TX 75006 United States
Telephone:214-566-8926
Email:tanya@baaldan.com
Website:www.baaldan.com

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Books/Toys for Railway Children in Calcutta


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