From Begging to Books : 2018 Appeal

Hello again Everybody,

We want to thank you for all of your donations which has enabled this important work to continue. To measure the impact of this project we undertook a big survey in Bodhgaya with pilgrims’ locals and the authorities.

In the past there used to be literally dozens of children lined up outside the temple, there were at least two organised gangs involved. Children were brought from as far away as Nepal and were often dressed as monks to hassle for the maximum cash. In the past one such group was reported in Bodhgaya and the children came here to Rescue Junction before carefully bring repatriated.

From the response of the survey there was much greater awareness of the reality of child begging due to our outreach work posters and banners at 65% were aware. This is still too low but is up from the 15% from the survey we did at the beginning of the project. Taking all the comments into account including the Police it would seem that child begging is down 85% in Bodhgaya. We are not claiming to have eradicated it completely but we have made with your help, a big difference.

From the press. (This article was published some time ago)

A 25-member group from Rajasthan, including minor girls involved in allegedly duping tourists in the name of social help, were rescued by a voluntary organisation in Bodhgaya

The rescue effort was part of the Stop Begging campaign of the district administration initiated around the World Heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara on Sunday. A non-government organisation, People’s First Educational Charitable Trust, is the partner in the campaign.

Trust chairman Deepak Kumar said: “Five minor girls were found by the members of our organisation. Papers were recovered from their possession on which it was printed that they were ‘residents of Ranipur village in Rajasthan and since they have lost their home and property in calamities, we request you to kindly help’.”

Moved by their plight, tourists often gave them something between Rs 50 and Rs 500. The amount of donation received was then written on a paper with signature of the person contributing towards the fund.

“Begging for alms in the name of help had become a vocation for these girls,” Deepak said.

Information regarding the girls was also passed on to Bodhgaya police station but no case has been lodged in this connection, said Rakesh Ranjan Mishra, a member of the trust, who was on the spot during the raids.

 The girls were taken to Rescue Junction

Information regarding the girls was also passed on to Bodhgaya police station but no case has been lodged in this connection, said Rakesh Ranjan Mishra, a member of the trust, who was on the spot during the raids.

The girls were taken to Rescue Junction, a centre of the organisation near Gaya station, where they were counselled

During the counselling, the girls revealed that they were a group of 25 members, all women.

The group comprised eight elderly women, possibly the mother of the girls, minors and adult girls.

After counselling they returned home after signing a legal bond saying that if they indulged in these activities again criminal cases would be made against them.