The girl with the goats

Hello my beloved Friends and members of Childsrights,

How are you doing?

I have recently arrived in India. It´s great to be back, especially with the weather being a bit milder which is much more comfortable. The kids are doing very good, they are happy and healthy. They really missed me in the last three months. The next three months I will dedicate myself to them. There is so much to do and to organize, thankfully I arrived feeling rested and full of strength and motivation.

This morning I took advantage of the time the children were in school to take a walk through the little villages nearby. The nature here is beautiful, there are mountains and rivers, I simply love it. I notice a little girl about 3 years old more or less. She is surrounded by goats and it looks like she is taking care of them. I get closer and talk to her, she answers very shy. I ask her if she is not going to kindergarden she tells me she would love to but her mother doesn´t let her. All of the sudden a woman gets closer and I wonder if she is her mother. In fact it is her mom, I greet her and we have a little conversation. I ask her if there was a kindergarden in her village and she tells me yes. So I ask her if it wouldn´t be a good idea to send her daughter and she tells me she doesn´t think so. She doesn´t think it´s a good idea because the girl has to take care of the goats. Further she tells me: “What is it good for her to be able to read and write, once we can, we will marry her off!”

My god, this is the reality in these villages. Girls continue without any value. They are good for taking care of goats, getting married, to stay home and serve her husband and take care of the offspring.

I realize there are many things to move and change in this country. Right now I don´t have time to think more about this encounter. Our children are waiting for me at the school door at 2:00.

I send you many greetings from afar!

Nane