Art class at Shanti Bhavan Children's Project. The most vulnerable children in India attend the school -- but you would never guess their past misfortune from their present day smiles!
Editor’s Note: Shreya is guest blogging for She’s the First this summer. She is volunteering at an official She’s the First partner school in India, the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, a school for the most vulnerable children in India. Although it’s summer vacation here in the US, school is in session!
The academic year has just begun here at Shanti Bhavan, and we are still recovering from the extravaganza that was the graduation ceremony for our first graduating batch!
As you can imagine, the first week got off to a slow start, but days are slowly becoming hectic. The toddlers returned to the school on Sunday, June 13th, and the campus is once again reeling with the laughter and cries of the little ones.
In any case, here is what the daily schedule looks like during the semester:
6.30 – 7.30 am: Grades 5-7: Morning Games, and Grades 8-12: Morning Prep
7.30 – 8.00 am: Baths
8.00 – 8.20 am: Breakfast
8.30 – 10.45 am: Classes
10.45 – 11.00 am: Morning Tea
11.05 – 11.20 am: Assembly
11.20 – 12.50 pm: Classes
12.50 – 1.20 pm: Lunch
1.20 – 3.35 pm: Classes
3.35 – 4.00 pm: Afternoon Tea
4.00 – 5.00pm: Grades 8-12 – Evening Games
4.00 – 5.30pm: Grades 2-4 – Evening Games
4.00 – 5.45pm: Grades 6-7 – Rest / Dormitory Chores
5.45 – 7.30 pm: Grades 6-12 – Evening Prep
7.30 – 8.00 pm: Dinner
8.00 – 9.00 pm: Grade 6 Night Prep
8.00 – 9.30 pm: Grades 7-12 Night Prep
9.30pm onwards: Bedtime!
As you can see, the days are certainly packed to the brim with activities and classes, and as the teachers and students get into the routine of classes, life at Shanti Bhavan will soon become busy and exciting!
Stay tuned for the next few visual posts of the school and the neighboring village, as well as some interviews of our senior girls in Grades 11 and 12 about their dreams, aspirations, and life at Shanti Bhavan!
