Educators in the Slums
August 23, 2010
WOW! A lot has happened over the past 7 days ! The girls and I have composed a list of our favorite memories to keep you in the loop with what is going on.
Independence day was magical with the children. We watched a traditional celebration program outside the convent school and heard Father R give an inspiring speech about India’s approach of nonviolence as a way of attaining peace. After the dancing we went up on the roof of the orphanage with the girls where they taught us how to fly kites…(think Kite Runner scene). The slums were so lively and happy, children were playing and laughing everywhere.
Each day this week we have been able to work on and observe many different educational programs being run by the Asha Deep Foundation. In the evenings we spend time with all of the children form the orphanage playing games and singing together and then go back to the girls home to help tutor them on their english homework.
On monday our day trip was to the preschool and primary classes in St. James School attached to the orphanage. We broke up into groups of 1 or 2 and assisted in classes teaching children and teachers new activities and just helping out where we could. We were also able to sit in on a presentation about all of the programs Asha Deep is running in Northeast Delhi and Seemapuri. I think all of the girls were amazed at how much Asha Deep is doing and how resourceful they are with what they have. We are all incredibly inspired by the dedication and compassion each of the workers have here.
On Tuesday we visited the Gali schools which mean “street” schools in the middle of the slums. Gali schools empower women in the slums to acquire income by teaching the children on their street. They are responsible for gathering all of the young children who aren’t in school from their street and teaching them in their apartments.
Tuesday was especially meaningful for me. Last year two little girls who were sisters really touched my heart, Alka and Kalpana. Earlier this summer, their father showed up at the orphanage to take them home. I was so disappointed when I heard they wouldn’t be here for this trip. When we were visiting a Gali school I was standing in an alley way outside one of the apartments when a little hand grabbed mine. I turned around and it was Kalpana!!!! Immediately I hugged her and began to cry, she told me her sister was right around the corner and I got to see them both! What an incredible blessing! Who would have thought we would be there at the same time and place when we live half way across the world.
On wednesday we visited the Creche, a preschool for rag-picking children. The ladies were able to see the work of a ragpicker as they witnessed parents and siblings picking rags across the street from the school in the trash heaps. We were all blown away by this 3 year old, Afrin, who tore it up with her intricate footwork dancing in a circle and bossing everyone around. We brought wonderful hand made blankets for the children from some ladies in PA. We also visited the Vocational center for cloth-making mendi, computers etc. and the physically challenged center in the afternoon where we cauht up with the kids and checked up on how they were using sign language and time out:).
Johti, the woman who runs the show out here had a birthday this week as well. We taught the kids the song, “Because you loved me” and had them perform it for her as a treat. We also got to go on a little trip with the whole orphanage to a hindi movie where all 100 of us snacked on popcorn and “cool drinks.” There were about 70 girls on a bus that had 30 seats… we were a sight to see for sure!!!
Yesterday the girls visited a rural village where they saw vocational skills being taught and practiced. The women welcomed them with traditional garlands and shared a meal with them. They also styled their hair and decorated their hands with Mendi.
Veena our resident nurse has been visiting the health center and learning about health projects including a new one that just started in April serving female sex workers in NorthEast Delhi. What awesome things ADF is doing! Today she even gave some TB shots at the clinic!
I am so proud and honored to be on this trip with these ladies… my favorite moments watching them have been
Jennie- teaching a song to all of the children singing solo, (she definitely has the best voice:)
Veena- rocking it out at the health center, giving TB shots
Lauren- working on teaching Gudiya letter sound code.. day after day, A apple , aa
Maya- loving the kids at the physically challenged center and inspiring us with Gustavo Gutierrez thoughts on poverty during devotional
Krishtine- having an endless supply of preschool songs and games on hand and getting an older woman in the home who has been ill to open up
AS long as this email is, it doesn’t begin to cover all we have done and seen, we are leaving so much out! All in all everyone is well and we are enjoying our time here serving.
Tomorrow we are giving a presentation/ training to all of the teachers at the school on student based learning and teaching them 3 fun activities to use in their classrooms ! It should be awesome!
You are all loved and missed greatly! Keep the team and the people here in your prayers:)
Blessings,
Kaitlyn, Lauren, Maya, Veena, Jennie, Krishtine
