Highlighting the plight of India's manual scavengers

It's an occupation carried out by dalits (formerly untouchables) in which safai karmacharis, as manual scavengers are known, clean out human excreta from wealthy households' latrines - toilets that are not connected to the sewage system and are therefore not flushable. This degrading practice is traditionally imposed upon certain dalit sub-caste groups, especially the women, with the result that 82% of manual scavengers are female. These women are forced to work in unthinkable conditions, humiliated and discriminated against.But another shocking scandal of this story is that this practice continues despite the fact that it was outlawed in 1993. Today, tens of thousands of manual scavengers are still cleaning out other people’s loos by hand with a small brush and basket. Why?`Because local state authorities seem to tacitly agree with the casteist ideology that assigns unclean occupations to dalits claiming that safai karmacharis are content with their work,’ says a spokesperson from Safai Karmachari Andolon (SKA), a movement supported by Christian Aid.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Railway Children-not the musical or the movie.

As in many other Indian cities the railway station is an important place. Howrah Station in Calcutta is full of travellers off to flung destinations. A hub of activity. For those who can afford there is a five star hotel with every luxury in which to wile away the hours until the train arrives. For members of the huge Calcutta street dwelling community though the most important part of the station is a small booth. It is open for 12 hours a day and any street child can come there for instant information and help. Every day dozens of new children arrive in the city and, with the co-operation of the local police staff form the Ashalayam can meet the newcomers and, if they want to, provide them with a place to stay where they can find comfort and security. They don’t all want – there are small children so overcome with fears the streets seem more welcoming. The booth staff cannot solve all the problems or even speak to all the children, but at least they are available – which is more than any other kind of help is.

http://www.worst-city.com/Calcutta-India-railway-children-poverty-black-hole-poor.htm

Animal Extinction

So many animals are becoming extinct because of mankind's actions. This is happening so much that at the end of this century half of all species will be extinct. This is so sad as there is always that last animal  that eventually dies lonely. I wonder what that animal must feel. It must be so horrible to have lost all your herd. Imagine if you were the last human on Earth. Imagine if this carries on and there are no animals left in the world at all. There will be no pigeons for children to chase, no dogs to walk no cats to stroke.

http://www.practicalaction.com/

POVERTY - unacceptable in this day and age!

August Baby Blues!

Children who are born in August, allegedly, don't always do as well as children who are born earlier. This, apparently, is because children who are born in August are sometimes a year younger than children who are in the same class as them. This means that they sometimes lag in class and are smaller so are a target for bullies.

I was born on the 25th of August and there were many times when I struggled to fit in with the other children. The other children thought I was too babyish and didn't want to play with me sometimes. I had difficulty learning how to write. Not anymore - I have overcome that and have bloomed!

A study has shown that twenty eight percent of of August born babies attend  University whereas thirty two percent of September born babies attend it. This fact just shows you the difference.

August babies have good company because Barack Obama was born in this month. All is not lost.

Twilight

Twilight book cover

Lately I have been reading the Twilight series of  books and I am intriuged by the level of description in it. I have watched all the movies and am impressed by how the description in the books and the film images complement each other. From now on whenever I read a book I will look at the description and sentence construction to enhance my writing abilities. I would strongly suggest that you do that to and don't say you already do that because I know that you are lying.
"A great cloud of choking, vile smoke polluted the air." This is just one tiny sentence from one of the books which describes a cloud of smoke in such a unique way. The reason the Twilight books have done so well is not only because it is a good story but also because of its intense description. I personally really enjoy both the books and the films and would advise you to read the book if you are loking for motivation in your writing.

Sometimes people help you in life. Sometimes this help is a skill that they teach you. Sometimes this help is an act of kindness. Sometimes it is both. Either way it is important to thank these people no matter what the help is. This is an important act to learn as a child because their help can really benefit and help you to go a long way. I was personally able to thank somebody recently who helped me four years ago. When my family and I went to Malta we met a nice man called Mike who taught me chess and the nine times table. Both of these skills have benefitted me in my life so far.
When I came back to London I joined a weekly chess club, which I still go to, and entered a UK chess championship and came 9th in my age group. I recently met up with Mike and had a lovely afternoon playing chess, we drew. The picture above is of Mike and I.

Respect for the Disabled

Today when I visited the ‘Build a Bear Workshop’, which is a company that allows children to make their own teddy bears, dress them and give them props, I was very pleased to see a wheel chair made for a teddy bear. Children should be made aware of disability. They should be told that disabled people should be treated with the same amount of respect as everybody else even though their bodies might not be as able as theirs. Toys could be used to demonstrate that all people are different from each other whether they are disabled or not. Disabled people should be valued for what they are.

Classical kid

On my recent holiday to Ireland we visited a church at which a choir from Oxford University were performing. I, being the respectable child I am, listened with great intrest but the child behind me was fidgeting and talking. I turned around and gave her an 'angry kid look', she then sat still and was quiet for about two minutes. For you lazy adults who can't be bothered to find out what an 'angry kid face' is I have supplied you with a picture above. The things I have to do around here (tut tut).

I do not understand why kids cannot respect the art of classical music when they can respect the art of rap music.

Ireland

Tommorow i am going to Ireland with my mum and great aunt. It is going to be so much fun. I have just been to Paris, two days ago, and that was brill but we stayed in a very, very bad part of town.
One other good thing about going to Ireland is that my mum accidentally booked us a 4 day trip instead of a 3 day trip. By the way, I did check my piggy bank but I only had £4.50 so I have ditched the idea of sending my Dad to Mauritius. I've got to go and pack my bag...

'School's out for summer'

9th July
2:00
Yey it's Summer, which means holidays, parties and more time to bloom. Oh! and also mum will be on the deck chair and not paying attention to my behaviour! Everyday will be like a saturday. Maybe i shall by my mum a whole stack of books to keep her occupied while i play, or is that just a waste of money? yeah she can buy her own books and i'll spend my money on icecream. Now dad is a bit harder to dispense of maybe I could send him off to Mauritius. That costs about a thousand pounds, wait here while I check my piggy bank.