Today we finally had another opportunity to visit and really interact with a school. Many of the older students are studying for exams, so today was focused on the little ones. It was really refreshing to be around kids again. It makes me really miss my students back home. The school we visited was called
Navdeep Public School. The funny thing is...it's private. Here in India, private means public and public means private. Confusing!! This seemed like a really great school with good facilities. It is actually quite similar to my own school in its approach to learning.
Afterwards, we visited a school for students with special needs, sponsored by the YWCA. The school accepts students ages 5-35 and is completely free. However, they depend on government grants that they sometimes do not receive. Which means they then depend only a small number of private donations and the teachers do not get paid. Seeing the school really hit home with the team. We learned that for less than $20 (U.S.)/month covers the cost of one student. When we get home, we all plan to share more information with people to try and help them out. After students reach the age of 35, they are no longer able to attend the school. Many parents worry about what will happen to their child once they pass away, which is heartbreaking. The students learn dance, yoga and small skills--how to make coir (the rope I mentioned in my last blog) and candles--but many of the students do not learn marketable skills.
The highlight of the day was when we saw a parade of elephants. They were beautiful, though it was hard to see how poorly they must be treated. I can only hope they lead a better life than I imagine. They are such strange and fascinating creatures.
Afterwards, we visited a school for students with special needs, sponsored by the YWCA. The school accepts students ages 5-35 and is completely free. However, they depend on government grants that they sometimes do not receive. Which means they then depend only a small number of private donations and the teachers do not get paid. Seeing the school really hit home with the team. We learned that for less than $20 (U.S.)/month covers the cost of one student. When we get home, we all plan to share more information with people to try and help them out. After students reach the age of 35, they are no longer able to attend the school. Many parents worry about what will happen to their child once they pass away, which is heartbreaking. The students learn dance, yoga and small skills--how to make coir (the rope I mentioned in my last blog) and candles--but many of the students do not learn marketable skills.
The highlight of the day was when we saw a parade of elephants. They were beautiful, though it was hard to see how poorly they must be treated. I can only hope they lead a better life than I imagine. They are such strange and fascinating creatures.
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