And so our sixth day begins with a brainstorming session on the front porch. Our time here is running short so we still have to make sure we get enough footage of, well, everything! While Dominique and Francis head back to the hospital to get footage of doctors and nurses in action, I finally get to do what I came here to do: teach!
There are so many activities going on within the Sankurathri foundation:
- a primary school
- a high school
- a vocational college
- the Eye Institute
- weekly "eye camps"
- Eye clinics in various towns - tomorrow afternoon, we're going to the inauguration ceremony of their 8th clinic!
- a disaster relief program in times of flooding, tsunamis etc...
Although I am learning a lot about the hospital through the creation of this documentary, the place where I feel most at home is at the Sarada Vidyalayam - aka: at school or the temple of learning.
In this first image, Dr. Chandra and I are discussing the English program with Harish, the new director of academics here at Sarada Vidyalayam. Many of the government schools and even most of the private schools here in India use English as the main language of instruction from as early as grade 1. This may give most students a head start to learning the second most imporant, or should I say useful, language in India, it is to the detriment of their first language that they focus so early on English. Dr. Chandra believes strongly in first language teaching in primary school to give the children a solid knowledge base in their mother tongue before delving into English.
English is taught from grade 1 all the way through to the final year of high school, which is grade 10. Presently, they receive basic grammar instruction, enough to have the students learning English by rote: memorizing sentences, vocabulary and grammatical structures suited for passing government approved exams. Where I come in, is to assist the teaching staff here to incorporate a whole-language learning experience. My goal is to work with Harish and our two English teachers to build up the students' communication skills through the implementation of new teaching strategies. Through Internet and Skype, I'll be able to hold regular teacher-training sessions with the team at Sarada Vidyalayam from the comforts of my home in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Another goal we have is to build up the students' level of English so that upon reaching high school in grade 6, they will be able to study science, math and social studies completely in English. And after having met all the students yesterday, after assessing each and every one, I can say with complete certainty that this will work.
What Dr. Chandra has built is a school based on discipline and values of honesty, hard work, routine, diligence and community. As you can see from the images, the students line up in staight lines, almost military style. This may seem harsh, but it is done with love and purpose. These children come from very poor families. Most often, their parents are illiterate and they, themselves, do not practice diligent routines of proper hygiene, proper nutrition, let alone the completing of homework assignements. In showing the children how routine, order and structure, accompanied with meditation and prayer can be brought into one's life, the students adopt these habits which carry them successfully into adulthood. The proof is seen in the graduates who have gone on to have successful, happy lives.
Dr. Chandra wants all his students to be their best. His philosophy is that every person must learn to do their job perfectly and stay focused in whatever job it may be. If one is to become a construction worker or a doctor, the job must be taken seriously, with respect for the people they are working with and for. In thinking like this, these graduates have been able to pull themselves and their families out of poverty. They are not all doctors or teachers, but as not one student has ever dropped out of Sarada Vidyalayam in 25 years, the truth is told that education is truly the key to improving the lives of the poor. A solid income. A comfortable roof over head. Healthy, clean food to eat and clean clothes to wear. Being able to read a contract and manage personal finances. ...these are the things that the young adults leaving Sarada Vidyalayam possess as they enter the real world. From beyond the walls of the Sankurathri compound, there is chaos - the traffic and pollution strewn about the streets are clear examples of the chaotic world these children come from. This is rural India and it is here where Dr. Chandra has chosen to focus his efforts in providing the people of Andra Pradesh an example of healthy, prosperous living and a clean India. (topic for my next blog post: Dr. Chandra's "Clean India" initiative)
And as this is my first blog entry for the New Year, I leave you with the rich colours of India as found in the local market this afternoon outside of the tailor's shop (yes, Dominique and I are being fitted for our very own saris! Thank you Dr. Chandra!!!). I was not quite sure what these powders would be used for, but upon my return to the compound, my new friend Abul showed me just what can be done with powered rainbows.
Namaste. xo
