Zakhira revisited

So today I returned to Zakhira slum, a largely moslem community of about 8000 people tightly adjacent to the main Northern Railway line.  It is a relatively poor slum with some tiny houses. I was well looked after in the clinic by this team of lovely ladies

They provided me with chai, flavoured with ginger AND biscuits!

After the busy clinic Rani took me for a tour around the slum and I visited a number of homes including this one - home to an 8 year old member of the Bal Mandal (Children's group) who lives in this tiny space with her family.

Here is the neighbourhood:

Here is some piecework - making parts for sandals.  Apparently they are paid 1.5 rupees per 24 pieces (where 1 rupee is worth just over 1p sterling).  This family work as a team:

I also met this lovely proud Mum with her year 12 daughter who is doing her final school exams over the next few weeks.  Today it was history which is her favourite subject - and she is quietly confident.  Results are in May.

And back at the Community building I sat and had a long chat with 4 College students. The two girls are first years, the lad on the right is second year and the lad on the left is a graduate who has done 2 internships with Marks and Spencers and the Canadian High Commission, to give him experience of a work environment.  He is now waiting to start an MBA (higher business degree) course with a view to becoming a Human Resources Manager.  Just look again at the housing above and remind yourself of the conditions in which these remarkable young people have achieved these things!