Educate Children Living on Construction Sites

“I just loved watching the juggling act by the clown,” chirps our 12-year-old Ajay when asked if he enjoyed the circus.

At the onset of the New Year, our children from centres in Navi Mumbai got a splendid opportunity of a day out at the circus! On Saturday, January 2, 2016, 95 children from three of MMC’s centres went to see the Great Bombay Circus in Panvel, a suburban area near Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra. It was a treat for them to get out of the construction site to see a circus show.  They thoroughly enjoyed the two-hour excursion in its entirety, from start to finish. The children were excited to ride in a bus arranged for the occasion, and their smiles grew even bigger when the show began. Little did the children realise that this excursion was also educational, as it helped to reinforce the Prakalp (Project) monthly theme for December, which was ‘living and non-living.’ 

During the show the children enjoyed the act of two funny clowns, who made the audience laugh time and again, and a magic show which made the children's eyes go wide.  The children were also greatly awed by the performances of the trapeze artists, who swung through the air in their colourful costumes. 

The children were completely mesmerised by the thrilling aerial tricks, the funny clown shows, and the unforgettable balancing acts. Every single child, no matter their age, was enthusiastically clapping and cheering for the circus artists.

The event was a wonderful experience for our children, who hardly get an opportunity to visit such places outside the construction sites. The effect of the music and the lights and the incredible displays of skill made the evening one they will remember for years to come.  The children also received snacks of juice, chips, cake, and other goodies during the outing.  They returned home thrilled at experiencing a fun-filled afternoon.

We sometimes refer to the construction site as our children’s only playground because economic limitations prevent these children from experiencing their childhoods anywhere else. MMC coordinates outings to schools, restaurants, amusement parks, and other parts of the city enable our children to experience and enjoy aspects of the city that they would otherwise never encounter. Not only do our children rightfully deserve to benefit from the very city their families are helping to create, but it is essential that they gain insight into the world beyond the construction site. Only then will they be able to envision for themselves the bright future which we are helping them construct.