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Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care Chennai, India
Post Box No: 5403, Chennai-600029.
Ph: 91 44 43063986
Fax: 0 44 43063985
Email: pcvc2000@yahoo.com
Web: www.pcvonline.org
Date: December 30, 2006

The project in Tamil Nadu, India for KEEPS 2007 was in collaboration with the Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC). PCVC runs a project to raise funds for children from Choolaimedu – one of Chennai’s slums known for high rates of crime, unemployment, illiteracy and domestic violence – to go to local schools. This Choolaimedu slum has over the years, developed a reputation of being home to some of the city’s most notorious crime. Domestic violence goes unreported, but is prevalent. Unemployment rates are high, and employment is seasonal and underpaid.

KEEPS Chennai involved ten children from this area, and three children who are currently living at the shelter for survivors of domestic violence run by the PCVC.

Participant profiles and what they painted;

• Sheela:

Sheela is six years old and studies in Class 1 in the local school, John Milton Primary School. Her father is a carpenter, and her mother is a homemaker. Her painting depicts her school, her teacher who is important to her as she teaches Sheela new things everyday and the national flag.

• Kavi Priya:

Kavi Priya is eight years old and studies in class 4 at the local corporation school run by the government. Her father drives a hire-auto (three-wheeled motor vehicle used by commuters) and her mother is a home maker. Her father does not live with her anymore, but sends them money occasionally. Her painting depicts the home she would like to live in, light, a tree, dolls, plants and the national flag. She really likes Christmas, and was upset that she didn’t get new clothes for Christmas this year.

• Thanigavel:

Thanigavel is eleven and does not go to school. His father is a weaver and he, his brother and little sister, and mother are occupants at the domestic violence shelter run by the NGO. His painting is of the house he would like to live in, and he wants to become a police officer when he grows up. 

• Lena:

Lena is five and studies in Class 1. She goes to John Milton school and her father forms a part of Chennai’s large and growing casual labour force and her mother is a homemaker. She painted a house and a kite, both of which are important to her. She loves to play with kites.

• Sindu:

Sindu is six and goes to kindergarten. She studies at Anputharaj  English Medium School and her father is a coolie (lowest rung in the informal construction work force) and her mother works from home doing odd jobs. She painted a house, light, tree, sun, mother, father, brother, and the Indian flag. Her family is important to her.

• Nivedha:

Nivedha is eight and studies in Class 3 at John Milton school. Her father is a casual labourer and mother is a home maker. She has painted her home, her father and trees. She is scared of her father as he beats her and shouts at her.

• Mohanraj:

Mohanaj is nine, does not go to school (brother of Thanigavel). He is a DV survivor and lives in the shelter. He drew the office (PCVC office), his mother, God, kolam and a tree.

• Anish Kumar:

Anish is five years old and goes to John Milton School. His father is a causal labourer and his mother is a home maker (she cooks at home, he says). He lives in a joint family – with his father, mother, sister and grandfather. He drew his sister in a cradle and a scooter.

• Gomathy:

Gomathy is six years old and she is in Class 2. She lives in the shelter with her mother and two brothers. Her mother helps in running the office now. She painted the sun, her mother, trees, house, glue and television. She said, many times over, that she loves her mother. She is a DV survivor.

• Lokesh:

Lokesh is six years old and goes to kindergarten at the Anuptharaj English Medium School. His father owns a cycle repair shop and his mother is a homemaker. He says about his painting “this is my home, I love animals, this is my dog”.

• Keerthana:

Keerthana is six years old and studies in Class 1 at the John Milton School. Her father is deceased and her mother is a homemaker. She painted her mother and her house, and said her mother meant everything to her.

• Suman Raj:

Suman Raj is five years old and goes to kindergarten at the John Milton school. His father is a television mechanic and his mother is a home maker. He painted his house, his parents and himself; and says his parents are the most important to him always.

• Sreenija:

Sreenija is seven years old and studies in Class 1 at the John Milton School. Her father is a construction worker and her mother “makes food at home”. It is her dream to be a doctor and her mother’s dreams are her dreams.