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			Meenakshi Apte and Anjali Bapat
				Akshardeep, Pune
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Apte: Akshardeeep is an offshoot of Swadhar which works with women
      issues in Pune. The work started in 1995.

      Budhwar Peth in Pune is the area of Redlight. These women are
      from AP, WB, KN, and from Nepal.  An organization, Peoples
      Health Organization, are working on STD and AIDS pointed out to
      us that there is no school in Budhwar Peth.
	 
      We came across many migrant families in Pune.  The children can
      not get admission in schools in Pune even if they have had some
      basic schooling.  We have hired teachers from 19 such localities
      and run schools in these localities.  Pune administration agreed
      to test the children for 4th std examination and admit them to
      schools. Datta Mandir trust provides money for these schools.

	 
      We work with the mothers.  The AP and KN mothers go home when
      they are pregnant.  Whereas the WB and Nepal women usually have
      more money and go to private nursing homes.

Anjali:	Balwadi for the children of victims of commercial sex workers.
	We did a survey in 1997 and started in 1998.  Located in
	Budhwar Peth.  At present there are 25 children are enrolled
	at Balwadi.
	
	We look after children aged 3-12 years

	Our observations: Women from AP/Nepal use methods to prevent
	pregnancies.  There is usually no support from their
	partners. During their delivery, she is accompanied by a
	friend and she has to take a loan which she has to repay
	later.  Ghetto style life support for raising children from
	their own network.  Mother returns to work within 2 weeks.
	Minimum survival nutrition is provided to the baby. Visits to
	the doctor is erratic.  During childhood the father is absent
	throughout. They grow up in the brothel and there is no
	intellectual stimulation.  
	
	Mohur day care center: Datta Mandir trust has provided space
	for Balwadi. 4 teachers have been employed. Play school for
	the younger children and learning activities for older
	children.  Food is also provided.  We also provide regular
	medical checkup and regular meeting with mothers. We also
	attempt to transfer the children to proper school.  The effort
	is supported by Times/JRD Tata Trust.  
	
	General observations: We do not have much experience with
	police.  Incidents of the girl child going back to this
	profession is very rare.  Use of opium to make babies sleep is
	now very rare. About 1% of children are affected by HIV 
	
	Future plans: 
	
		To improve the existing facilities 
		To start a night shelter.
		(We are lobbying with the authorities to give us
		space)

Q: What exactly do you want to change about the existing facilities

Anjali: Individual session to assess their IQ. If they have learning
	disability, send them to special schools.  Every Friday they
	are taken to Bal Kalyan Sansthan where they have access to
	music, dance, swimming so if a child is inclined towards one. 

Q: Use of opium?  In Budhwar Peth.  Stimagization.  Is the school
   nearby?

Anjali: Yes. it is nearby. that is why there is no stigma.  We put
	children in residential school.  Some of them do not like the
	school so they come back.  The school is Gujrati medium so
	they have language problem.

Q: Till what age do you look after them.

Anjali: No age bar.  

	What is their future?  You can consider our place as a transit
	place.  From our place they are encouraged to go too school,
	and to ultimately make them go into professions.  The mothers
	do not want their children to go into this profession.  

Q: How is the community involved? 

Anjali: The place is a commercial area. There are couple of temples
	and few schools. The shopkeepers in that area have supported
	us. We did face 3 cases of child lift.  

Mrs. Apte: Our model is Prerna, Bombay.  

Q: You should tell about play therapy.  

Apte: We have created a doll house, a situation that imitates
      kitchen. While the children are playing, the teachers listen to
      the child, so that they come to know what is happening to the
      child and then work out a solution for them.