Join Hands To Fight For The Rights Of Countless Kids In Dhanbad’s Coal Mines

Raju* is 10 years old yet he sounds like an adult. He shows off a scar on his left elbow - a testimony to the hard work he does to help feed his family - and when you ask him why isn’t he at school, he looks at you in disbelief.

“How can I go to school? If I don’t carry these 10 kilos of coal and help my father, my little sister at home will spend another day without any rice. Schools are not for children like us,” - Raju says, making a serious face. 

The little boy couldn’t have told a harsher truth. For thousands of children in the coal miners and tribal communities in and around Dhanbad, going to school is a far-fetched dream. Forced to labour in the unforgiving mines, they endure hardships that no child should ever face. 

These little children bear the weight of the world on their tiny shoulders 

Known as the coal belt of India, Dhanbad district in Jharkhand is home to countless families who survive by working in the mines or breaking coals from dawn to dusk. Their days are marked by back-breaking work, dangerous conditions, and meager wages. After all that hard work, they earn barely enough to feed themselves and their children. With the inadequate safety measures available to them, these people, are always at risk of fatal accidents and health hazards.

“These miners, even the children walk miles on slippery and broken paths with a heavy load on their heads. Falling down, and hurting their hands and legs is common. With no one to look after them at their homes, these children use the coal for cooking purposes without any supervision. Often they end up burning themselves badly,” - Deepak Kumar, Founder, Nand Care. 

For over 5 years now, Nand Care Foundation, spearheaded by the tireless Deepak Kumar has been working very hard towards the betterment of the coal miners and tribal communities. They have been instrumental in educating the children from the communities and supporting these families in times of need.  

Deepak explains fresh drinking water is a luxury for these families. The same water used by animals for bathing serves as their only source, leading to frequent bouts of illness and debilitating diarrhoea in children. Unclean water also causes mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue etc. Medical facilities are scarce, leaving them vulnerable and without the care they so desperately need.

“Some of these kids suffer from asthma while others are terribly underweight due to malnourishment. Over the years, we have been feeding them nutritious home-cooked meals so that no one stays hungry. We also run a community school in the evening and it is wonderful to see the kids come in every day.”  

These little children in the slums around the coal mines have grown up seeing policemen and doctors saving helpless people. For them, they’re the real changemakers in society. Under the watchful eyes of dedicated teachers, these children come to learn, dream, and break free from the chains of poverty. They want to grow up to become police officers, doctors, and teachers and change the plight of many more like them. 

Let us come together to make a difference in their lives

While Deepak and his team have been working day and night to uplift countless children from the coal miners community, the task is not an easy one. There are several challenges, funding being the foremost of them. They need support from kind souls across the country to build a better tomorrow for these children. 

Join hands with Nand Care and donate groceries, toys, and stationery to thousands of children in Dhanbad coal mines. Together, we can be the change that these children have been longing for.

*- name changed to maintain confidentiality 

About the NGO: Nand Care Foundation is a not-for-profit organization started by Deepak Kumar in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The organisation has been monumental in providing warm meals and education to the children whose parents work in the coal mines. They have touched countless lives through their tireless efforts during the pandemic. Led by the young changemakers, this NGO wants to empower and uplift the poor, the needy, and the marginalised in the coal belt of India. Under the able leadership of Deepak, they’re spreading smiles and giving these people new hope.