Wise words with...

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145:14-16

Valuing education

During the April holidays, I had the privilege of travelling to India to photograph the work of 'Entrust Foundation', a community development group that partners with local Christian organisations such as YWAM (Youth With a Mission) . 'Entrust' supports projects that 'bring hope to hard places'. It has been more than two years since any project managers have been to oversee the work and reporting is necessary for accountability and future funding.

I had a taste of many different projects: slum schools; skills training for women; day care for disabled children; hostels for children; girls rescued from exploitation; clothing factories and outreach cafes.

What I would like to highlight here is the theme of education amongst the poor and marginalised. I mainly went to places that are off the tourist track (although I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Taj Mahal) and saw some very confronting things that are part of life for many in the world’s second most populous country. Many of the projects I visited pivoted around education and building up skills in order to make a living. What impressed me greatly was the hope people have when given an opportunity to be educated. I would like to focus on the following three projects.

House of Palms Boarding House for children from Banchara Community

The eldest girls in this community are raised for 'street work' to provide for their families. This is a 500 year-old tradition that is not considered taboo. YWAM has spent over 20 years building a relationship and offering families an alternative for their daughters. This alternative is to receive an education. Many have taken up this offer as there has been no opportunity like this in past times. As a result, these young girls have the childhood experience they deserve and families are equipped with new skills to support themselves. Girls mainly go on to study nursing, teaching and business. The program has been so successful that the girls’ brothers also live in the boarding house during term time to be educated. The photographs above are of younger girls starting their educational journey. The photograph below is of those about to enter tertiary education - so full of hope and confidence, thanks to this ministry.

Slum Schools

Imagine going to school beside the city garbage dump, or in an old rock quarry, or under a highway overpass? I visited three Slum Schools, and in every one, there were dedicated, passionate staff and keen students. The schools have become the hub of the slum communities where connection happens and there is a sense of dignity and pride amongst the families (average of 125 families in each slum). I met Depeeka who is a primary school teacher. She had also grown up in the slum, and is now teaching children from the very same community.

I also met this woman and her son, Rajit, who is in Year 9. She is a widow and a ‘rag picker’ by trade and the slum school is educating all of her children. Rajit wants to become a doctor. And I think he will! I love the pride on her face.

We visited primary teachers (see below) whose classrooms are in shipping containers. We had to make the visit brief, as there are locals who create strife if anything is done to 'promote God'. Our guides were concerned they might show up if they knew we were coming. These ladies reminded me a little of our own NCS teachers with their friendliness and love for each other and God.

Hostel and School

This school saddened me the most. Many of the students were from Christian families whose parents had been martyred for their faith. Some were orphaned due to HIV and Leprosy. Others had been sent there for their own safety.

It is a mighty work to take on such children and all 280 students are fed, housed, clothed and educated with the support of YWAM. These students love God so much, despite what has happened to them. Herein lies the hope for their future. Again – many of these girls are studying to be teachers and nurses. I also got to meet some Year 12 boys, studying for their final exams.

What I was left with as I departed India, was a sense of how valued education is. Not in an idolatrous way, but that it is through education and with a grounding in the love of God, that one develops resilience, character and strength. Education in these settings breeds dignity, hope and confidence as well as community. Learning is , for all people, how we end up making a living . But in these environments where there is much gratitude for God and the people who are His hands and feet, education is a pushback against exploitation and poverty. It is a lifeline that is not only practical and material – but spiritual. Afterall, isn’t one of the names for Jesus 'teacher'?

Jane Donald

School Counsellor