2005 (Age 4-5)
Fatma joined the program in September, 2004. I started sponsoring her in April, 2005, when she was a few months shy of 5 years old. I had decided to sponsor another child, and according to my usual practice had selected the Indian girl with the lowest family income. But I was charmed by Fatma's cute smile. Back then, between Indian cultural norms and picture-taking methods that were often intimidating, virtually all the photos turned out looking like mug shots. I caved in and took her, too.

Fatma lives in Kolkata city. In 2005 she lived with her parents, Haider, 26 or 27, and Amna, 22 or 23, her older sister, Haleema, 6, and baby brother Ismail. Her father made $33/month as a daily worker. The family speaks Hindi. Their dwelling (which I assume is some sort of flat or a single room in a rowhouse of some sort) has brick walls, a tile roof and concrete floor. Water comes from a community faucet, electricity is available, and they have access to a community latrine. When sponsorship started, they cooked on an earthen stove.

Six months earlier, when the report was compiled, Fatma was 3'1" tall and weighed 31 lbs. She was already attending school, and enjoyed playing with dolls and drawing.

March
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Your sponsored child Fatma Khatoon thanks you for sponsoring [her]. Fatma Loves eating rice with dal [lentils]. Fatma has just started going to school. She is enjoying school as she has made a lot of friends there. Blue is Fatma's favourite colour. Yours truly, Sutithi on behalf of Fatma

(Survey on back)
When we're at home...we play with dolls.
We celebrate...Id, Bakri Id.

The weather here is... very very hot, I am not liking it.
In our neighborhood... There are lot of trees where there are flowers of different colours.

I love it when the children see the beauty around them, instead of an ugly slum.

June--SNG Report completed by Rita Mukherji
The family has utilized the donation from the sponsor (@ $235) to purchase
--1 water pump
--1 steel trunk
--1 pressure cooker
--1 table fan
--1 water filter
--1 spoon
--1 bowl
--1 lunch box
--1 water bottle
--1 mattress
--4 pillows with covers
--1 bed sheet
--1 [kerosene] stove
--1 doll for Fatma
--1 shirt and pants for her little brother [prospectively, I guess, since he wouldn't have been much more than a newborn at the time]
--1 dress for her sister

What were the child's/family's comments? "Fatma and her family are very pleased with the gifts bought with the donation. 'The pump will be useful to draw water from the water tank for cleaning and washing purposes. The table fan will give us respite in this hot summer. We can use the trunk to store our clothes and other belongings. Fatma and her brother and sister are very happy with their gifts. We are very grateful to the sponsor for giving us such useful gifts,' said Fatma's mother. The family has been immensely benefitted from these gifts since these are meant for their regular use but which the family could not afford till date.

Dear Sponsor,
Thanks from Fatma and her family. Fatma has received tube pump, steel box, table fan, water filter, mattress, bed cover, pillow, stove, doll, dress for the children, tiffin box and glass. Fatma's mother went for an operation. [C-section, maybe?] Now she is recovering but still she is not able to carry a bucket of water. So the tube pump will give relief to her mother. Fatma likes to go to school every day. She also likes to play with her siblings & doll. She does her homework in the house every day. Fatma's parents want to thank for providing all the assistance. On behalf of Fatma, Parveen Begum (volunteer)

As I mentioned earlier, the same day I sponsored Fatma, I also sponsored another child with an August birthday. Well, when I went to send her SNG, I made an error and directed it to Fatma, instead. By the time I noticed--I really wish the acknowledgement email contained the children's names as well as their numbers--it was too late to correct the error. Oh well.

July--SNG Report Completed by Rita Mukherji
The family has utilized the donation (@ $235) from the sponsor to purchase
--a steel almirah
--clothing for Fatma's sibling(s?)
--1 steel lunch box
--2 dresses
--1 steel bucket
--writing slate
--1 box pencils
--groceries (rice, lentils, sugar, flour, cooking oil, salt, spices, semolina, soybean, tea leaves, match boxes, detergent, bathing soaps and hair oil)
--[and 2 dolls, not mentioned on this list]

What were the family's comments when the gifts were delivered? [Jackpot!!! Two months in a row!] "Fatma's mother is very pleased with the gifts: 'The steel almirah will be very useful for keeping our belongings. Our clothes would remain clean and safe from insects. The groceries will be sufficient for  the next 6 months. We will have enough food to eat. Fatma is very happy with her dolls, slate and pencils. We are grateful to the kind sponsor.'"

Dear Sponsor,
Fatma and her family thank you very much for providing them with all support. With your support they have received a steel almirah, steel bucket, dolls to play, clothings for both Fatma and her infant brother. She has also received a ABBACUS slate and pencil box. Besides, Fatma and her family is also going to recieve 6 months grocery items which will help them. Both Fatma her parents and her elder sister send you lots of love and greetings. On behalf of Fatma, Sushita

All those groceries troubled me. I don't want to make these families dependant on me. But stay tuned...

September
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Your sponsor child thanks to you for your letter. She is very happy to get your letter. [Sympathizing about not liking hot weather.] She wants to say [to] you that at present in Kolkata rainy season starts. Now weather is pleasant. She goes to school every day. Today she ate rice, dal, potato chips.[Not sure whether those are American chips or English chips; i.e., home fries.] She will be very happy if she get your photographs. Rakhi on behalf of Fatma.

2006 (Age 5-6)

March
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Kindly accept New Year's greetings from your sponsored child, Fatma B. Every day at 11 a.m., she goes to school. On her return, she has her lunch and takes a small nap. At 4 o'clock she goes out to play badminton with her friends. Many, many thanks from her to you for being sponsored and the gifts she is receiving. On behalf of fatma, Sahina

Survey on back:
My favourite colour is...yellow. My favourite food is... fish.

[July-since I sent a double gift last year, none this time.]

August--report updated
Fatma is growing slowly--3'3" and 32 lbs; only 2 inches and 1 lb since Sept. '04. But the family income has supposedly more than quadrupled! Haider is no longer a daily worker; instead, he is a street vendor. Evidently, once he knew his family would have enough to eat for 6 months, he was able to take the risk of investing his wages in stock for a vending business, and had enough time to build it up before it had to completely support the family.

September
Dear Sponsor,
Fatma is fine here and hopes you are also fine there. She reads in class K grade. Her favourite subject is Urdu. She has a friend whose name is Grudiya. She loves her family a lot. She sends you her love. From Aftah Alam (Volunteer) for Fatma B.
Fatma's favourite color is now red, although fish remains her favourite food.

2007--Age 6-7
March
Ms. Jenkins,
Fatma says hello to you! She studies in class K grade. She loves drawing very much. Her examination starts from next month and she is preparing for it. She has keen interest in her studies. She loves summer season a lot. She loves her parents a lot. She sends you her love, Nasreen Begum (Volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.
Survey on back
I like to be...At home [as opposed to school, the garden, or playground]
My favourite animal is...fish [as opposed to dog, cat, squirrel, hen/duck, birds, butterfly. Practical child, her favorite animal is her favorite food...]

July--SNG Report completed by S. Rashid
Please list the gifts (@ $235) provided to the child and family:
1 van-rickshaw
19 boxes of mangoes
1 mixer-grinder
1 transport cost

How will the gifts benefit the child/family? "The child's father is a fruit vendor, and therefore the van-rickshaw will help the child's father carry the fruits around and sell them. This IGP will help them earn an extra $30-40 per month which will help to better their standard of living. The mixer-grinder will be of help in the kitchen. The child's father said, "Thank you dear sponsor for helping me to take care of my family's needs in a better way. We will always be grateful to you.

Dear Sponsor,
Fatma wishes to know how you are doing. Her father is giving regards and thanking you for supporting him to support his family. He is thanking you for the fan rickshaw and mangoes. He will sell these and work for the betterment of his family. Her mother is thanking you for the mixer-grinder. Fatma [likeS] the clips you have gifted her and is very happy. [?Not on report. I suppose they mean barettes...] The family is sending regards and Fatma is sending lots of love for you . On behalf of Fatma [illegible] (Volunteer)

July--Progress report
Fatma has grown! She is now 3'8" tall and weighs 40 lbs. Her favourite school subject is languages and she likes playing with dolls. The family income is a more realistic $80/month (the 2007 figure must have been based on a bumper day...) and a 2nd little Mohommed has appeared, age 7 months. (They are Md.Ismail and Md. Israil. Nothing like inviting sibling rivalry...]

September
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Hello! Fatma is doing fine here and she hopes youre also doing fine. She thanks you for sponsoring her. She is in Class 1 and enjoys studying a lot and reading Urdu. She sends you lots of love, Nazia Parveen on behalf of Fatma B.
Fatma's favorite color remains red and fish is still her favorite food.

2008--Age 7-8

March
Ms. Jenkins,
Hello! Fatma would like to thank you a lot for giv[ing] her all the benefits. She is in class I and loves studying a lot. She wants to become a teacher when she grows up. She loves her papa most at home and she misses you a lot, too! She sends you lots of love, Shabama (volunteer) for your sponsored child, Fatma B.
Survey on back: Fatma's favorite color is still red, but her favorite is now fruit. I think this change  may have been influenced by my complimenting her father on his wisdom in choosing to supply people with healthy fruit. The fruits of India are supposed to be wonderful, especially the mangoes.

April (CP)
Dear Ms. G,
Hello! Fatma thanks you a lot for writing to her. She is so happy to read your letter and to know about yourself. She is now so little cute child & loves her parents a lot. She loves fruit. She is very happy to see your picture and loves you, too. She sends you her love, Rafia (volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.

June
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Hello! Fatma is doing fine here & she hopes you are also doing fine. She wants to thank you for sponsoring her & supporting her. She studies in grade 1 [no promotion] and enjoys studying a lot. She also loves drawing besides studying. Her summer vacation is now going on & she went for an outing during holidays. She sends you lots of love. Nazia (volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.
Her favorite color continues to be red, and her favorite food has reverted to fish.

July--SNG Report Completed by S. Rashid
Please list the gifts provided to child and family:
1 wooden bed [double]
1 mattress
1 table fan
1 hot pot
1 spatula
1 exercise book [workbook]
1 shampoo pouch

How will the gifts benefit the child and/or family?
"The wooden bed and the mattress will provide the child and her family a comfortable sleep at night. The table fan will provide them with a lot of relief from heat during summers and also throughout the year. The hotpot will keep their cooked food warm for lunch and dinner. The cooking spatula will be used by the family every day during cooking of meals. The child will use [her] exercise book to do his regular class and home assignments. The child's mother said: 'We are very grateful to my child's Sponsor for providing us with essential household items that are very useful for our family.'"

Dear Sponsor,
Fatma and her family hopes you are fine. They all are fine too. Fatma's parents, especially her father, want to thank you for the help & support you have provided in bringing up their child. They want to thank you for the useful gifts you have given them. They are thanking you for the wooden bed, mattress, table fan, hot pot, cooking spatula, exercise book and shampoo pouch. Sending loads of love and regards on behalf of Fatma and family, Sun--- (volunteer)

July--Progress Report
Fatma is now 3'10" tall and weighs 43 lbs. The family income is $50/month, which looked like a decrease but may have been due to exchange rates.

July--Letter (Reply)

Dear Ms. G,
Hello! Fatma is doing fine here & she hopes you are also doing fine. She says she is very happy to get your letter. She studies in grade 1 and pays much attention to her studies. She says she ate cake with her family on her birthday and went for an outing with her parents also. She says it is rainy season here & hopes that you tell her something about yourself in your next letter. She & her family send you lots of love & blessing. Ayesha Naar (volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.

December
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Fatma says that she is fine here and hope that you are also fine. She studies in class 1. Her favourite subject is English and favourite game is football. She wants to become a doctor when she grow up. Her exam is over and it was good. She wish you a lot of love. [For] Your loving child, Fatma B. [by] Rabab (volunteer)

2009 (Age 8-9)
June
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Hello! Fatma is doing fine here & hopes you are also doing fine. She wants to thank you for supporting her. She loves to read and her studies are going well. She says her exams results are out and she has passed her exams and [been] promoted to the next grade. She is very excited. It is now summer here and very hot. She went to her grandmother's house for an Outing during the summer break and enjoyed herself there a lot. She misses you a lot & it is her desire to see you. She sends you her love and regards. Nazia for Fatma B.

July--SNG report completed by A Oberoi
Please list the gifts provided to child and family:
3 steel storage containers
1 ceiling fan
1 emergency light
3 aluminum cooking vessels
6 steel place settings (plate, bowl, glasses)
1 [pressed] glass place setting
1 aluminum bucket
1 electric iron
2 bedcovers
1 table fan
1 doll
2 shampoo pouches
50 kgs rice
5 kgs flour
5 kgs pulses [beans]
5 ltrs mustard oil for cooking
1 kg dates
2 jars health drink

How will the child/family benefit: "The family has been provided with large supplies of essential food items that are needed for their regular consumption. The health drink will keep the child strong and healthy by providing her with essential nutrients and vitamins. The family will use the iron to iron their clothes properly. It will also help them to save part of their laundry cost. The family will use aluminum bucket to store water for domestic use. They will use the set of steel plates, bowls and glasses when they have their meals. The ceiling fan and the table fan will provide a lot of relief from heat to the family mainly during summers. The emergency light will be very handy to use during power cuts. The steel storage containers will be used to store large amounts of rice or flour. The family will cook their meals in the cooking vessels provided to them. The child and her sibling can enjoy playing with the doll whenever they want to. The child's mother said, 'We are very grateful to my child's sponsor for looking after our needs. We wish to convey our sincere thanks and regards.'"

Dear Sponsor,
Please accept regards from me and my family. Hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. With your financial support we have bought ceiling fan, emergency light, electric iron, bed covers, table fan, dinner set, steel storage container, cooking vessels, aluminum bucket, plates, bowls, glasses and groceries like rice, pulses, flour, cooking oil health drink, and date palm. We are very happy to receive all these items because all the items are very much useful to us. My family and I are sending you lots of love and best wishes. With love, Fatma

[This letter is worded like she wrote it herself, and the Urdu writing is double-spaced as a child might do it, although it looks quite neat. (As far as I can tell, Fatma struggles with "neat" so that makes me wonder.) The composition doesn't sound like a child's first letter, though. Of course, many of the thank yous from younger children sound like they were composed by the social worker. If Fatma copied it herself, that's a victory.]

July--Response to Inquiry about Fatma's language, and why her name was changed after the first report
I was curious whether Fatma's family speaks Hindu or Urdu, since she was reported to enjoy reading Urdu books. The response was that the family speaks Hindi, but Fatma attends and urdu school, which is why her letters are written in Urdu. [Actually, the letters are written in whichever language the volunteer uses. ]
"...in the religious community that Fatma belongs to, people can have different names which are interchangeable, and do not have to match the parents' titles. Sometimes children may carry titles such as 'Parveen,' 'Bano,' or 'Khatoon,' as your child did." Lindsey's Indian fiance explains that the original name is used in the Muslim communities to designate a girl or unmarried woman; upon marriage women use another title, which is how Fatma is designated on her birth certificate, because it's the surname her mother uses.

July--Progress report
Fatma is 3'10" and weighs 43 lbs. The family income is $64, which when changes in the exchange rate are considered is the same as $80 in 2007.

September
Dear Sponsor,
Hello! Fatma is doing fine here and hopes you are also doing fine. She got your lovely letter and enjoyed reading it. She now studies in Grade 1 [what happened to the promotion?] and is enjoying her new class. She has also some new friends in her class. She says her grandma lives very far away from her house and she goes to see her by train. She says it is now the rainy season here but sometimes it is hot and sometimes it rains here. She goes to school every day and her studies are going well. She and her family send you lots of love and blessings. Ayesha Naaz on behalf of Fatma B.

After getting this letter, I sent an inquiry about Fatma's school situation, and whether tutoring would help. I was very concerned that she seemed to be firmly stuck in first grade, although she sounds like a little trooper about it. (Interestingly, Lindsey's child Saba, who lives in the same area--we can tell by the backgrounds in photos, especially SNG photos taken at the project center--also attends an Urdu school and has similar school issues.)

December--Education report completed by Ms. Indrani Roy
School Information
Describe the child's school, including construction materials and facilities:
The school is a four storied concrete building. It has proper water supply and toilet facilities.
Approximately how many children attend:
500 children [no teacher/student ratio, though]
How many minutes does it take the child to get to school:
10 minutes on foot.
Student--Academic
Child's current grade level: Class 1 [for the third time]
Overall Grades: Poor
Progress: Slow
Is child receiving any special help with schoolwork? No
Subjects of special interest to child: Languages
Please list educational benefits received through sponsorship program:
Stationeries and school shoes
Student--Future
Does the child intend to continue her education? Yes
Additional Comments:
"The child is weak in her studies and tries her best to do well. If educational assistance could be provided the child would fare better. It would be beneficial to provide Fatma and her sibling, Haleema, who is also in Grade 1 [year 4?] with private tutoring to better their grades." [Cost: $140, which was provided.]

December--Letter
Dear Ms. Jenkins,
Hello! Fatma is fine here and hopes you are also fine. She wants to thank you for your love and care. She studies in Grade 1 and loves to read English. She is now busy preparing for her final exams and hopes to do well on it. She loves to play with dolls. It is now winter here and she loves this season. She misses you a lot. She & her family send ou lots of love and they wish you a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year! Kashif (volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.

Survey on back:
My favourite clothing is: Salwar kameez
I enjoy travelling by: Train

2010 (Age 9-10)
February--SNG Report completed by A. Oberoi
Please list the gifts provided to the child and family:
13 months private tuition for the child (reserved fund)
13 months private tution for sibling (reserved fund)

How will the gifts benefit child/family:
The child is presently studying in Grade 1 and her sibling is in grade 2. Both the child and her sibling have been provided with 13 months of tuition support from Jan '10 to Jan '11 so that they can get special guidance in their studies that will help htem to improve their performance in school. The child's mother said, 'We are extremely grateful to my child's Sponsor for looking after the educational needs of my daughters. We wish to send our sincere thanks and regards.'"

Dear Sponsor,
Fatma and her family hopes that you are keeping fine, by the grace of God. Fatma is fine and so is her family. Fatma's family is extremely grateful to you for providing Fatma and her sibling, Haleema, with 13 months of tution assistance in their studies. It will help them to get special care and encouragement to improve their grades in school. Fatma and her sibling, Haleema, have just completed their final examinations in school. They hope that they get good grades with your blessings and support. They send their sincere thanks for your support and care and wish you very well in life. Shaheen (volunteer) on behalf of the child, Fatma B.

One thing I asked about was whether tutoring would continue through the 2 month school break. "13 months, January through January" indicates it will. I suspect one problem has been that like many disadvantaged children, they lose ground during their long break. Having the tutor work with them throughout should help keep them on track. Sorry, Grandma.

If tutoring couldn't be continued through the break, I would have sent money before the break and asked that the tutor pick out educational games and other activities that they could do during the break that would reinforce what they know.

May
Dear Ms. G,
Hello! Fatma is fine here & hopes you are also fine. She was very happy to get your letter and a photo of your beautiful city [Illustrated letter with pictures of the snow] and enjoyed them a lot. She loves to read and her studies are going well. She has been promoted from grade 1 to grade 2 and is very excited. [This is what she said last year, too. I will be excited in September if she's studying in Grade 2.] It is now summer here and very hot but sometimes it is rainy and windy. She enjoys receiving all your benefits. She misses you a lot. She and her family send you their love and regards, Firdas Johan (volunteer) on behalf of Fatma B.

June 29--SNG Report Completed by A. Oberoi
I sent $100 as the remainder of the usual SNG after the cost of tutoring.

Please list the gifts provided to the child: 

• 15 kgs (33 lbs) rice
• 10 kgs (22 lbs) beans
• 5 kgs (11 lbs) sugar
• 5 ltrs (I think; the list says kgs, but that's not a liquid measure) of cooking oil (mustard, presumably)
• 1 kg semolina
• 500 grams health drink
• 1 pack of cornflakes
• 1 steel glass
• 3 sarees ("clothing for child"; I think that should be "mother"--10 year olds don't wear sarees)
• 3 shirts for child's father
• 1 salwar kameez for child
• 1 night dress for child's mother
• 1 transport cost

How will the gifts benefit the child/family:
"The child and her parents have been provided with new sets of clothing so that they can wear them on special occasions. The family has also been provided with large supplies of rice, pulses along with other essential food items that are needed for their regular consumption. The health drink will help in improving the health and fitness of the child by providing her with essential vitamins and nutrients. The child can use the glass to have her drinks. The child's mother said, 'We are extremely grateful to our child's Sponsor for looking after our household needs. We wish to convey our sincere thanks and regards for the kindness and generosity.'"

Dear Sponsor,
Fatma is fine here along with her family and they hope you will be the same. Wtih your financial support they have bought clothing for Fatma and [her] father. They have also purchased sugar, pulses, rice, cooking oil, cornflakes, health drink, clothing for the mother, semolina and steel glass. All these items are very much useful to them. They are conveying their thanks to you.
With love,
Shaheen for Fatma B.

July 16--progress report updated
Finally, Fatma has reached 4 feet tall! (I was 5'1" at that age...) and weighs 46 lbs.

August - CP Letter 

Dear Ms G--
Hello! Fatma is fine here and hopes you are also fine. She was very happy to get your lovely letter and a beautiful birthday care [pop-up monkeys] and enjoyed them very much. She thanks you for them. She enjoys to read and her studies are going well. Her school is now closed as their holy month of Ramadan is going on and they all keep fast and offer prayers throughout the month. After this they celebrate their biggest festival Eid. She will wear new clothes and go for outings that day. She and her family send you their love and regards and she hopes to hear from you. Firdous Jahan on behalf of Fatma B.

I was hoping for confirmation that she's still in 2nd grade. If this monthlong Ramadan holiday is in addition to the 2-3 week Durga Puja holiday that West Bengal gets, that would go a fair way to explaining why the kids in these schools don't do as well.

I'm now waiting for an education report (due late November) on her now and see how tutoring for her and her sister, Halima, is going.

October--Education Report completed by Indrani Roy

The report came today (quick). The good news is that Fatma is now solidly in 2nd grade (after being in 1st for 3 years)! Her marks are "fair" but she's said to progressing normally. The tutoring is helping. Haleema is also in 2nd grade, with fair marks and progressing normally. However, the 2 reports were filled out identically except for the girls' names, and the additional questions I'd asked about the school year were not answered. (Is the month off for Ramadan in addition to the 2 week Durga Puja vacation, or instead of? Does tutoring continue during vacation(s)? Will there be an Urdu-medium high school for them to attend when the time comes?)

The rest of the education report arrived today (or maybe yesterday). Ms. Indrani Roy writes on Oct. 21:

"Fatma and her sibling Haleema are both studying in Grade 2. They attend the same school and the classes are held from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. [!!!] There are 50 students approximately in each grade and there are 25 teachers in the school. The children are improving in their studies with the private tution provided through a Special Needs Donation. The current school Fatma is attending has till Grade XII, hence she will continue her high school there. [I had found an article on Urdu-medium education saying that often there were Urdu primary schools but no secondary schools.]

"The school had been closed for Ramadan for a period of 15 days [out of 20 or 24, I guess] but the children continued to attend the private tuition. The school had been closed for 2 days during Durga Puja." [Some WB schools get the period from DP thru Diwali--about 2 weeks--off; I was worried they'd had 6 weeks of vacation between August and the end of October.]

The school is in a 5 story building. If the students have to be taught in 2 or more shifts, it must be smaller than that sounds--tall and narrow.

2011

This post has reached the length limit for blog posts. Read part 2 of Fatma's story here.

For more about life in India, read Jayanti's story.