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Topic
We are going to do poverty in Calcutta. Calcutta is India's cultural capital, full of history, customs, and practices, but at the same time, it is a deep pit of social unjust, and destruction of human rights. "Two thirds of Calcutta's population live in the officially recognized slums the so-called Bustees. At a cost of around 2 dollars a month they live in primitive huts made out of clay, corrugated iron and old wooden boxes" (Wenk). These, however, are already privileged people taking advantage on their close social relations receiving at least a minimum amount of sanitation. Even less fortunate are the squatters, who live in terrible conditions pitching their "houses" made out of cloth and plastic sheeting against the walls of other houses. But still less fortunate are "the worst reserved for almost one million of the dirtiest - in the truest sense of the word - that possess only a tin bowl and a dirt-encrusted mat" (Wenk). "Mahatma Gandhi described Calcutta as a dying city and the Indian-Caribbean writer V.S. Naipaul describes Calcutta as a city without future with the words: 'All of its suffering are sufferings of death. I know not of any other city whose plight is more hopeless' " (Wenk).

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__Bibliography__ Wenk, Kirstin and Berliner, Morgenpost. "Calcutta - a city of poverty and happiness." __D@ dalos__ 15 SEP 1997 29 JAN 2008 <[|http://www.dadalos.org/int/Vorbilder/Vorbilder/theresa/hintergrund.htm]>.

Why We Chose this Topic
We chose this topic for basically three reasons. First of all, Calcutta is one of the cities where poverty is at its worst (see the above section). Second of all Calcutta is India's Cultural Capital, "full of rich culture and opportunities" ("Service-Learning Pogram in Kolkata, India"). If many of the people are left in poverty, how will the culture pass on and spread, especially when they can't have children because they are too poor! (Also view the __Purpose and Message__ of "Our Action Plan"). Third of all, we found the great organization IPSL which works on poverty in Calcutta and co-operates with great Mother Teresa's Homes.

__Bibliography__ "Service-Learning Program in Kolkata, India." __The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership__ 23 JAN 2008 <[|http://ipsl.org/programs/india.aspx>.]

Statistics and Articles
> Calcutta in 1992, there were 75,000 to 200,000 children living in the streets" ("EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN – A Worldwide Outrage"). __Bibliography__ "EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN – A Worldwide Outrage." __CASA ALIANZA__ SEP 2000 1. 31 JAN 2008 <[|http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/press/16-pdf3.pdf>.]
 * 1) All you can find about poverty in Calcutta (Ex. quotes, statistics, etc.)http://www.dadalos.org/int/Vorbilder/Vorbilder/theresa/hintergrund.htm
 * 2) Mahatma Gandhi described Calcutta as a dying city.
 * 3) Indian-Caribbean writer V.S. Naipaul describes Calcutta as a city without future with the words: "All of its suffering are sufferings of death. I know not of any other city whose plight is more hopeless."
 * 4) 2/3 of Calcutta's 15,700,000 people live in primitive huts made of clay.
 * 5) Almost a million live with a "dirt encrusted mat and a bowl."
 * 6) "India's Ministry of Social Welfare estimated that of the 10.9 million people residing in

Organization
For our model organization, we did IPSL. IPSL standing for The International Partnership or Service Learning and Leadership gives participants the chance to help poverty in India and learn about its history at the same time. IPSL in India will take place in the city of Calcutta at Mother Teresa’s homes in January and August with three week sessions. Mother Teresa was a woman who helped poor people. Calcutta is rich with culture and opportunities but also social extremes of wealth and poor. During the three week sessions in Calcutta, participants will help provide direct care with those in need, and help in basic medical care. They’ll also help teach street children and take care of old people. At the same time of giving help, they’ll also have a chance to learn about Calcutta’s history and culture and have a tour around India. In January, you will be able learn and take a trip around Delhi the capital, and visit the Agra and Taj Mahal. Because of the severe heat in fall, August sessions will allow you to go to the Ancient Sun Temple on Konarak and neighboring historical sites. Both experiences will be lead by leading scholars, film directors and artists. This will sound appealing to most people. Most important of all you get to help poverty issues! I think this would be a very attractive and a real good chance of service learning. For those of you who are old enough and interested, feel free to apply at: http://ipsl.org/default.aspx

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Source: http://ipsl.org/programs/india.aspx

What Exactly are They Doing?
Once you send your application, they will look through it and chose a group of people to go. Once you reach Calcutta, you start to learn about their culture and history why giving direct parental care and basic medical care.

What I Think
This will sound appealing to most people. Most important of all you get to help poverty issues! I think this would be a very attractive and a real good chance of service learning.

How We Become Involved
I think we could be involved with this program by spreading the news through making brochures with ours or other’s experiences. We could also raise funds for them to help them grow this project across India or increase the supplies and amount of participants every time. Please refer to "Our Action Plan" for more information.

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