Okay, so I have been working at Banchte Shekha now for a week and every day I am more humbled by my surroundings. I wake up every morning and cannot wait to see and experience what is waiting for me.
Today, I will share with you an education program run by Bachte Shekha. The education program is targeted at children of those, who are known as “Untouchables” (Untouchables would often do work considered too dirty for members of the higher castes of society https://www.thoughtco.com/who-
Bachte Shekha reaches out to the children of communities, where education is their last priority, and provides some amazing support services, encouraging families to send their children to school and motivate them to continue with their studies.
Some of their services include, tuition, food, growing their own vegetables for nutritional needs, providing medication, teaching health and hygiene practices, home farming, and supplying school uniforms. These are but a few of many services provided.
Additionally, the mothers are encouraged to keep on top of the lessons and make sure the children keep practicing what they learnt.
I know I sound like a marketing person, but I wanted to give you a bit of background, so you can kind of understand where I am coming from. I wanted to share this with you not because it is an amazing initiative but the people who are involved in providing the services. I always come back to the people, because the more I get to know the people the more I am lost in amazement. I gain faith in the humanity.
I was lucky enough to be part of the Annual Teachers’ Coordination Meeting, where I have met the teachers and the management committee. Every single teacher at these schools are highly qualified, with several degrees. Yet they have chosen to dedicate their entire career towards teaching in these remote villages despite the level of pay (what amounts to roughly 85 AUD per month). The teachers not only provide the education to the children but also connect with the community in many levels, so the people trusts in them and share the same vision. They go out of their way to gather the children to attend school. When a student doesn’t do so well in their final exam the teachers are absolutely shattered and disappointed in themselves. The level of passion within the people are enormous… and because of this the students under this program are doing very well with 90% pass rate and above. In fact, these students are performing better than other Government schools in the area.
I always have to take a step back to reflect… and since I have been here without a miss I have been “Shook”!
I wish I can be as selfless and generous like the people here, but don’t know whether I will ever get there. I have been spoilt with too many luxuries in life; but while I enjoy said luxuries, I am overly humbled to have been part of this community of people and I hope with all my heart my little input can be of some help to the organisation…
Keep following!