The Darling Buds Of Spring

Soon word spread about Mottukal and the rpf, police and the state government’s Child-Line began referring ‘cases’ to the sisters. "Today, we can’t take care of more than 60 children here. We then refer them to other boarding houses," says Sister Mercy, Mottukal’s current director. "Besides runaway cases (which top the list), children from broken families, those living on the streets, the abused, those who have migrated to the city looking for work or glamour and excitement, all find shelter here. In the last nine months, we have had 23 new cases, a majority of them victims of sexual abuse."

Currently, the Mottukal team is grappling with a 13-year-old traumatised by her father’s brutality. Says Sister Mercy, "She can’t sleep at night, has nightmares and does not interact with other kids. Her mother visits occasionally but she herself can’t ever return home. Her father comes home drunk and does not know the difference between daughter and wife." Some runaways are also ‘love failure’ cases. "Children in the 13-16 age group seek love outside; when they don’t find it in their families...they succumb to the lure of romantic love."

Once a child is admitted, a detailed case study is made. Says Padma, one of the six trained social workers employed by Mottukal, "Invariably, the first information they give is always wrong, including names. Once they feel confident and comfortable, they confide in us." The staff assesses the child and then lobbies with local schools for admission. The government-run Corporation School in Egmore and St Joseph’s in Susaipuram regularly admit these children.

Girls in the 15-17 age group, with a warden’s help, run the kitchen. When Outlook visited, the children were chopping beetroot for dinner, most of which was being consumed raw as they sported huge, stained smiles. Most children here do not even know their birthdays. So July 31, the Mottukal foundation day, becomes their birthday.

What about life after Mottukal? Says Padma, "Some get trained and have even worked for Mottukal. Some get married, others find jobs. About 1,000 girls have passed from our centre."

Mottukal’s social workers also run a street contact programme with cry support. Padma adds, "In all, 425 children have benefited by the programme in six slums and pavements. We counsel the children, family and the community on drug abuse, child rights, physical and sexual abuse..." Mottukal is a garden where buds that can wither so tragically are nurtured and given space to bloom. For more details, contact: Director, Mottukal, Good Shepherd Convent, 32, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006. Ph: 28241933