Varanasi
TIG is working with an extended family in Varanasi. The family name, Sahani, designates a “water” caste. They work on/beside/with the Ganges. They take great pride in being associated with such a powerful spiritual force, often referring to it “as my Mother Ganges.”
The men in the family ferry tourists and worshipers across and along the Ganges. The women sell trinkets for tourists and sacramentals for worshiping the river, e.g., candles and flowers. It would seem that they could make a decent living, but the competition is very stiff: too many people selling the same things and services. The Sahanis literally fight with other boatmen over customers in an attempt to support the family.
The men in the family ferry tourists and worshipers across and along the Ganges. The women sell trinkets for tourists and sacramentals for worshiping the river, e.g., candles and flowers. It would seem that they could make a decent living, but the competition is very stiff: too many people selling the same things and services. The Sahanis literally fight with other boatmen over customers in an attempt to support the family.
Govinda
Govinda, the oldest brother in the family, is a proud Ganges boatman. He and his wife have three daughters: Kusum, age 6, is in upper kindergarten; Ragine, age 4, is in lower kindergarten; and the baby, Naina or Vashundhra, is 18 months.
Govinda’s oldest sister, Savitabavi, is married with three children: two boys and a 4-year-old daughter, Gungun, who is very smart. Govinda’s two older daughters and Gungun attend an excellent English-medium, Hindu-culture, private school: Imperial Public School. Members of TIG helped Govinda identify a school for his family as he had no such experience, having been forced to drop out of school and become a Ganges boatman in the 5th grade because he needed to help support his parents and siblings. The school has told us that Govinda’s children, especially his oldest daughter, are weak students. Therefore, TIG is also paying for a tutor for the girls. The average cost of educating a child in the Varanasi school is $325. This figure includes tuition, uniforms, books, transportation, and tutoring.
Govinda’s oldest sister, Savitabavi, is married with three children: two boys and a 4-year-old daughter, Gungun, who is very smart. Govinda’s two older daughters and Gungun attend an excellent English-medium, Hindu-culture, private school: Imperial Public School. Members of TIG helped Govinda identify a school for his family as he had no such experience, having been forced to drop out of school and become a Ganges boatman in the 5th grade because he needed to help support his parents and siblings. The school has told us that Govinda’s children, especially his oldest daughter, are weak students. Therefore, TIG is also paying for a tutor for the girls. The average cost of educating a child in the Varanasi school is $325. This figure includes tuition, uniforms, books, transportation, and tutoring.
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