My Journal — January 29^th 2012

Name — Jyotsna

Age — 11

Just three months ago the man at the sweet shop told my mother about a program. I didn’t know what a bedkit was but I was told that I would receive goodies. My mother was given a pink ticket and told us we should go to the school at Guskara on January 29th.

Last night I went to bed early. I was so excited that I woke up at 2:30 a.m. .… too early … back to sleep until 5 a.m. When it was finally time to get up, I washed, oiled my hair, and dressed. My mother, grandmother and I ate a breakfast of tea, white puffed rice, and goodies.

My mother and I walked to the sweet shop to meet three other children and their parents from our village. Together we walked to the train, boarded, and found seats for the one-hour ride.

From Kolkata 2012

It was a short walk to the school, through the gates, and into a schoolyard full of children. We sat on school benches outside and ate good food; rice, cauliflower, sweet chutney. As I ate, using my right hand, I could hear an honoured guest making a speech. He had white skin … I think he was from Nepal. I finished my food and rushed to a classroom marked GIRLS.

I stayed close to my three friends. We were given a red backpack. I unzipped it and found new clothes! I quickly changed into my new dress and put my old clothes into the backpack. I was very excited.

I didn’t mind being bumped, pushed, and pulled. I had many sores on my feet. They hurt. Auntie asked if I’d gone to the toilet since I arrived. I said, “No.”

Again there was another lineup of two rows; one of boys, one of girls. I was very excited. I knew I was going to have my picture taken. I didn’t know until later, when Auntie told me, that the items on the mattress were mine. I thought the bedkit was a display.

A man from the Rotary Club asked me to be interviewed and he would interpret. I said, “Yes.”

From Kolkata 2012

Auntie asked me many questions. I told her about my home: one large room with the kitchen and toilet outside. I could see my mother waiting for me behind the fence. She was anxious for me. The man brought her to us. He was very kind and explained to her why I was talking to strangers.

I said I was restless. Auntie said she understood and I should go and get my bedkit. Auntie said she wanted to thank me, she put four pretty bangles on my wrist. I said, “Thank you.”

I handed my ticket to a man who pointed me in the direction of a bedkit. My mother and I were very excited.

This was the best day of my life!

— J