Shanti Bhavan

It has been an incredible first week in India. I really couldn't be happier. I had a pretty exciting 3.5 hour ride from the airport involving two taxis, lots of miss communication and me arriving at my destination at 3 am. However I felt safe the whole time - this was a pre-arranged car with a company the school uses all the time. So, while I was frustrated I never felt in any danger.

This school is the most incredible place I have ever been. It is Bement (my summer camp), Star Island and Harry Potter all rolled into one - plus a whole lot of extra awesome on top.

The students are accepted 24 at a time (12 girls 12 boys) at the age of four. The first graduating class (15 seniors in high school) will leave the school next year. Currently the oldest kids are 11th grade. The students come from near by villages and are all from the lowest or "untouchable" caste. This means in many areas not only are they not expected to be in any sort of school - they are often not seen as worthy of going to school.

The students live at the school for 46 weeks a year. They are held to very high academic standards. 4th graders will take me aside to ask me if I am happy at Shanti Bhavan, if I am proud to be at Shanti Bhavan and then procceed to elequently tell me why they are proud to be at Shanti Bhavan and why they are proud to be from India.

I am teaching art 5 to 6 periods a day to grades k-5. We have made art journals from scratch and now we are working on self portraits. We are also studying Picasso (as one of the other volunteers is from Malaga - Picasso's home city) as well as Jamini Roy, and Indian artist. When the principle introduced me and said they would be having art class everyday the children litteraly shook with excitement. It was actually a little overwhelming. I can not walk from one class room to another with out 5-10 students running up to me to give reports on the how they have improved there self portrait since the last I saw them (usually 4 ish hours earlier). They haven't had an Art Teacher at the school in quite a while. And - really as of one week ago - I did not know that I was an art teacher - but apparently I am. It is actually really great to be getting time to focus on art. I pour over the art books in the library trying to find out anything I can about Indian Artist, and of course I try out all the ideas I have for projects before bringing them to class.

Also, the school serves only one non - vegetarian meal a week. There is chicken from Sunday dinner (along with of course a veggie option) - Amazing!!

We have a morning assembly every day - there is a prayer asking for help and safety for the school and everyone there and asking for help to see the divine in ourselves and everyone around us. On Saturday's the children also say a prayer for the teachers and then the children SING A SONG about all the things they could be when they grow up and sing about how it is people like their teachers who believe in them that help them get there. And - oh my - so far I have cried both times I've heard it. I don't think that will stop soon. The 1st graders all stand in front and are just so proud of themselves. The the 11th graders stand in back ... and while they are clearly a little less enthoused to be singing.... they still all sing. Then they give a world news report either in English, Hindi, or Tamil - depending on the day.

I'm in heaven.

Also one of the other volunteers has every episode of Friends on DVD.

Along with the rest of the world Shanti Bhavan is going through serious financial troubles. This is the first year they were not able to accept a new pre-school class. The teachers saleries have been cut and many teachers have had to leave. They are relying heavily on volunteers to fill in the gaps. While usually only two volunteers are accepted each year - there are currently 8 volunteers.3 of which have thier own entire grade that they are teaching.

I strongly urge anyone who has ever wanted to come to India, anyone who has some extra time right now, any one who is good at any school subject (the 11th graders are learning economics, and all the smart math and science kid things, and engineering) anyone who is a teacher (there are MANY of you on this list) - to write back to me and tell me if you would have any interest in coming in volunteering for the spring. All of the volunteers will be leaving at the end of December.

All of your expenses are taken care of, they pick you up at the air port. The grounds are very safe. There are always security guards on 24/7 there are not many health concerns in this area in India.

Okay that is my pitch. I hope I convinced at least one of you.

I miss you all and love you. Emily

ps sorry for all the spelling errors... I know they are there ... I don't have time to look them up right now.