Elizabeth Meister #709 In the Heart of Mumbai One million dreamers in one square mile.

But where are these dreamers? In Mumbai, India of course. A slum is where these dreamers live. It is in the heart of Mumbai and sandwiched between two railroad tracks. Each day in Dharavi everyone who lives there is at work, parents are trying their hardest to give their children hope, and people are trying to achieve their goals no matter how difficult they might be. Thats the way Dharavi works. To begin with, there is a single woman named Laxmi who lives in Dharavi. Laxmi is defiantly a dreamer. Her dream is for a better future, especially for her daughter, Sheetal. Laxmi works in Dharavis largest industry, recycling. She works each day sorting trash and makes only about one hundred dollars a month. Sheetal is very devoted to her mom and she attends school with a good attitude for it. Education for Sheetal is the path to a better life, her mother says. When she works in the recycling industry, Laxmi faces great dangers. Some of them being needles, chemicals, and human-waste since there are open sewers. The Acorn Foundation is a service that Laxmi volunteers at which helps slum dwellers. To conclude, Dharavi works because Laxmi is one of the many dreamers who pushes on for a better future. Next, there is a 12 year old boy name Jigha. Jigha lives with his father, a tailor, and three sisters. He is a big dreamer but a small person. His dream is to become a scientist. To achieve this dream he attends extra classes and promises to study hard. He feels that even poor people can be successful with their dreams no matter how big they might be. Their house is only one room, and is also the tailors shop as well. However, the family doesnt make a lot of money mending clothes. Jighas father tries to give him hope to become a scientist and helps him study. To end, Dharavi works because Jighas father gives his child hope as many of the parents in

Dharavi do. In the third place comes a man named Shailesh. Shailesh is a big dreamer with big hopes. He has a big dream. His dream is to become an actor in Bollywood. However, his first priority is his family. Shailesh earns about two-hundred and forty dollars a month driving a rickshaw on the bustling streets of Mumbai in order to feed his family and attend his classes. To become and actor Shailesh attends acting classes and has been in one music video so far. His instructor believes that Shailesh isnt quite ready to go on to Bollywood, even though he gives his best effort. Even though he hasnt succeeded so far, Shailesh is still persistent to achieve his dream and doesnt give up. To finish, Dharavi works because Shailesh and other people are persistent in their approach to their dream. To conclude, each and every day in Dharavi everyone is at work, parents are trying to give their children hope and courage, and people are trying to achieve their goals no matter how difficult they might be. The future of Dharavi in my eyes is that all one million of the residents will reach their dreams and goals, and move on as citizens who are successful.