Mentoring migrant children in Bengaluru - by Almaas Masood

"Most migrant workers in this settlement and Bengaluru are from north Karnataka districts like Ballari, Koppal, Raichur, and Gadag. I am aware of the conditions the workers live in as I too am from the same region, and my uncle was a labourer for ten years and lived in a hut like this. So I decided to help in any way I can with the education of the children," he said.

The children begin their day by practicing yoga for a few minutes before commencing class. They are taught mathematics, geography, general knowledge, and life skills by Shanthappa.

Shanthappa engages with the community in his uniform. He says, "I must make use of my uniform for the  benefit of society. Ever since I have started visiting this place, local goons stopped extorting money here, and men have stopped harassing their families after consuming alcohol."

Shanthappa, endearingly, has given his students names of Indian revolutionaries and freedom fighters. "I wish to inculcate in these kids the values of our great leaders. I call to them with these names in hope that someday they will become great human beings and give back to society as well," said Shanthappa.

Here, Manjula (A.K.A. Jhansi Lakshmi Bai) solves mathematics problems on the whiteboard, the morning classes having upgraded from the traditional blackboard.

Ramesh (A.K.A. Khudiram Bose) watches Manjula solve a mathematics problem. Ramesh, who is the naughtiest kid in the class, is made to sit apart from the other kids because he ends up disturbing the class and usually bullies his younger brother.

One of Manjula's classmates takes notes while she solves math equations.

Shanthappa is very encouraging and keeps the class engaged in various activities. Here, he is quizzing the class over General Knowledge. "Who was the first Prime Minister of India?", he asks, to which Bhagyavanti replied, "Jawaharlal Nehru".

The children love coming to the class.

Shanthappa uses shirts, stationery, mats, books, and sanitary napkins as incentives to encourage the settlement's children to regularly attend the classes.

Mallayya beams in his new shirt he just received in class - it was previously a shawl, received by Shanthappa as an award!

Chandrashekhar goes through his new storybook which he received in class. He said, "I'm very happy!" as he giggled and showed its contents, a picture of a lizard, to his friends.

After the class, Shanthappa makes the kids play games where they jump back and forth on command, a regional version of 'Simon Says'.

He says, "It makes their reflexes better, keeps them healthy and the kids love playing it!"

Once class is done, the children go back to their settlements. The older girls usually contribute to household chores and help in cooking and cleaning while the boys usually play some more.

Parvathi's mother, a domestic help, braids her daughter's hair before getting her ready for the day, as her grandfather looks on.

Her mother said, "I'm glad that Shanthappa Sir comes and teaches the children here. I want Parvathi to have a better life and it will only come through better education. I want her to study more so she doesn't have to work like me."

Shanthappa is taking a break after class, before he goes on to inspect the settlements.

Shanthappa talks to one of the camp elders. He is fondly welcomed by the community.

Manjula's mother washes her clothes next to a roofless washroom immediately after her class so that they're ready for the next day.

"The living conditions of the people living in this settlement are worrisome. They don't have a proper washroom to go to. That is a circumstance I wish to eradicate from this country," says Shanthappa.

The settlement is on land under litigation. Local goons would come to harass residents and extort money. This stopped once Shanthappa started regularly visiting the area to teach the children.

It has four temporary huts, four families, and just one open-air washroom overlooking the city's open sewerage system.

Shanthappa has two trusted volunteers from the area. They live close to the settlement and help him with the day-to-day activities of the school and the community, alerting him in case any issues arise.