Anand is a Dalit from Tamil Nadu, and, like most who live in Idukki, India his parents work at one of the surrounding tea plantations. Being Dalit in this area means being labeled as an outcast and assigned the lot of working at a tea plantation.

These workers face extreme poverty and limited opportunity for education - thus almost no way to find a different life. What schooling is available on the plantations is inadequate, leaving families in an endless cycle of hopelessness and powerlessness.

The IDEAS Dignity Education Center (DEC) began in response to the need to provide educational services and create life-change for the Tamil-speaking Dalits living in Idukki, India.

When Anand's mother heard about the DEC, she traveled over treacherous road conditions to find someone who could help.

Reuben is a Tamil-speaking Dalit who grew up in the area and became the director of the DEC. He met with her, offered her some tea, and listened. Her eyes filled with tears as she told her story:

"Anand seemed to be a rather normal boy. He grew up and attended the small government school on the plantation with the other children. But then something happened to him. No one can explain it.

When he was 15, Anand experienced something at school that was so traumatic. Suddenly he wouldn’t speak. All he could do was sit with his head bent down on his chest. Now he won't talk or look up. He is unable to study. When he goes to school, he just sits in a corner, looking down.

We don't know what to do for him! He cannot respond to any questions. He is crippled with fear."

Reuben told Anand's mother, "Let Anand come and sit at the DEC each day - here he can feel safe and experience love and care."

She was overjoyed! She and her husband arranged to pay for a ride to and from the plantation to the DEC each school day.

This has been Anand's routine since February 2023: taking his ride to DEC, bringing his lunch, and sitting at a table by the windows. The staff greet him and speak to him kindly throughout the day, giving him space to be. He listens to the English lessons and the conversations around him.

After seven months, he feels safer and is beginning to interact by answering easy questions. Instead of keeping his head down, he looks up at what is going on around him and enjoys watching the activity.

Anand's parents are so grateful for the DEC, where their son can be safe and part of a positive learning environment. His mother says, "It’s the only place he feels comfortable!"

Anand participated in our English program during the school holidays and even began to write in his notebook. Gradually, he’s able to say a few more words.

We tell this story on his behalf, until Anand finds the strength to share himself. There are no child psychologists anywhere nearby - no one to help him process the trauma he undoubtedly experienced. But here at the DEC, he’s being treated with kindness, love, and prayers. Maybe someday he’ll be able to tell us what damaged his sense of security.

Meanwhile, we just keep showing him love and letting him simply be Anand.


About the Author: The Dignity Education Center provides educational studies for life change to Dalit children, offering a way out of the cycle of poverty and hopelessness and a new path towards economic and spiritual freedom. Enjoy other stories from the Dignity Education Center, such as "From Trauma to Transforming Communities in India."