A Guided Tour of Dharavi Slum
A slum by definition is a densely populated area marked especially by poverty. Mumbai has one of the largest slums, with over a million people living in less than a square mile. We travel to learn and discover different lifestyles, learning about life in Dharavi sounded like something we had never experienced before.
I went back and forth on if we should go on a tour of the Dharavi Slum for several days. Is it wrong to go on a tour of a place that people are living in poverty and “gawk” at them? Is it wrong to not go, because you’re afraid of what you might see and how it convicts you? How can we be informed of what is going on in the world and do it in a way that brings dignity to people?
While doing some research I came across Reality Tours. This organization is grounded in maintaining the honor of the people living in Dharavi. They do not allow any photos or videos during your tour, they recognize the struggles of living in Dharavi, but they also bring to light the people who work so hard in the industries in Dharavi. Reality Tours also supports a local school in the community to provide education for some of the children. They truly care and respect the people they are serving.
We ended up going on a tour with Reality Tours and it was definitely a highlight of our time in India. Learning how many different industries are within such a small space, such as, making soap, pottery, leather products, sorting plastics. Through the different industries in Daharvi they generate over 665 million dollars a year. People in Dharavi work extremely hard for so little in return.
It’s one of those experiences that is heavy, but a heaviness that will change your perspective on a lot of things. If you are considering going I highly recommend it. Please do your research and make sure you are going with a respectful group and even if they don’t require it, do not take photos. Be considerate.
