India

Guess Who’s Working for Goldman Sachs?!

After a brief summer blogging hiatus as your India liaison, I’m back feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. I hope your summers left you feeling equally as refreshed.

So I have some good news and some FANTASTIC news for you. The good news is that I’ll also be taking over coverage duties of Starfish One by One, our partner school in Guatemala. Given my background minoring in Hispanic Studies in college, I’m extremely excited to learn more about Latin America and write about Starfish. So expect to hear from me more often!

And now for the FANTASTIC news! Guess who will be joining the elite ranks of Goldman Sachs employees in India? Give up? Not one, not two, but THREE Shanti Bhavan students! Two of whom are girls! Pushpa, Stella and Viji (pictured), of the first graduating class at Shanti Bhavan, will be starting with Goldman Sachs in Bangalore. In order to be awarded this well-deserved position they had to go through 2 rounds of testing out of which the pool was narrowed down to 54 students. Then they went through 2 rounds of interviews, after which the pool was narrowed to 30. They then had to go through a final round of interviews and they ALL ended up being chosen!

The Newly Employed Viji, Pushpa and Stella

Stella All Suited Up

I cannot even begin to describe to you how excited we are for them! Given the general bias against girls in India, this is SO BEYOND AMAZING and a true indicator of just how big an impact Shanti Bhavan is making. So many kids here would be thrilled to be in their position, and Pushpa and Stella beat all odds and are among the best, most elite young professionals in India! Ajit George, Director of Operations at Shanti Bhavan agrees. “I cannot express to you both how gratified and fulfilled I feel. It’s like the end of a 16+ year journey with them–finally reaching what we always thought was possible. When [Shanti Bhavan] was started, so many people said that there was no way kids from poverty would ever do so well, that maybe they’d do a bit better than their parents, but that was it… white collar jobs were out of the question. We were just sort of dreaming. Now three of our graduates have beaten the best and gotten the toughest jobs to get in India on a level playing field. It took so much to get here, but their futures are so bright and amazing and with their successes, these young ladies will go on to change the world.”

Pushpa, Ready To take on Goldman Sachs

This is a great moment for all of us at She’s the First to step back and reflect on WHY it is that we do what we do. Shanti Bhavan changed the course of history for these girls, as it does for all its students, and gave them opportunities that were unfathomable to their families just a generation ago.  It is moments like this that inspire me to take all the opportunities I have and keep doing what I’m passionate about and take on the world. How about you?

 

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The Daily Life of a Volunteer at Shanti Bhavan

[Editor's Note: This is the fourth installment from guest blogger Isabel Rutherfurd, who is a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan.]

Volunteering at Shanti Bhavan immediately pulls you from your world at home and into a new community half way across the world in rural South India. The day you arrive, smiling faces eager to learn your name greet you to learn where you are from and how you came to be at Shanti Bhavan.

Adrienne Pizatella teaches a 6th grade literature class

Your days begin with the whole school having coconut curry, maybe a dosa (an Indian rice pancake), and a cup of chai before dashing off to start the school day. The classes volunteers teach range from grammar to music to accounting. My personal favorite was setting up a model UN with the middle schoolers as part of their history and government coursework. Each class is different, with the personalities the kids shining through to the center of the classroom. However, all of the students value their education as thy realize it is the key to their future success, and an opportunity for them improve the quality of life for their families.

Everyday, the school gathers in the schoolhouse while students share news headlines and kindergarteners explain a virtue like kindness through a short skit they’ve rehearsed with their classmates. These always promise a few “aws” and chuckles, as well as a chance for the young ones to bask in the limelight.

Later in the day, kids get a chance to unwind while the volunteers oversee a game of basketball or soccer. The physical activity is a great break for everyone from the academic collaboration between volunteer and student that happens throughout the day. Volunteers share their knowledge and experiences with the whole community of Shanti Bhavan, and in return, grow meaningful relationships with the students who look up to them as role models. It is an incredible experience that makes every volunteer feel lucky to have had!

Isabel Rutherfurd poses with her 5th grade students after performing a bhangra dance with the other volunteers

Want to help more girls learn to dream big at Shanti Bhavan? Come out to the GIRLS WHO ROCK show in New York City on Friday, May 18th. Check out additional details about the concert including talent line-up and buy your tickets here! You can follow along on Twitter (of course!) at @girlswhorockny | @shesthefirst | #GWR2012

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Shanti Bhavan Student On How Education Empowered Her to Dream Big

[Editor's Note: This post is from guest blogger Isabel Rutherfurd, who is a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan.]

Catherine describes her dreams to study Psychology and reflects on the future she would have had had she not been a student at Shanti Bhavan

Catherine, an 11th grader at Shanti Bhavan, explains the difference her education has made in her life.

Catherine says that had she not come to Shanti Bhavan, she “probably would have dropped out of school to work at the stitching factory where they make clothes.”

She goes on to say that when in her 20’s she realizes she would have been home with children doing housework. “At home, my sister and my brother– they are just working and they are not paid enough. They have been working for a long time, ‘cheating’ about their age because in India you have to work above 18, but they needed to get a job. They work, but it’s not a good job. My mother was working as a janitor in a company, but she had a lot of aches in her legs, so she’s at home now.”

Catherine is a great student who excels in her coursework, loves film, and dreams big about the future. She says, “The education, which I got at Shanti Bhavan is really good. I think I have a lot of opportunities after coming to Shanti Bhavan. After leaving Shanti Bhavan I think I will [study] psychology and pursue it to help people.”

“I am extremely happy I came to Shanti Bhavan,” Catherine says. “It has changed my life a lot; it is the home which everyone can dream of.”

Want to help more girls like Catherine learn to dream big? Come out to the GIRLS WHO ROCK show in New York City on Friday, May 18th. Check out additional details about the concert including talent line-up and buy your tickets here! You can follow us on Twitter at @girlswhorockny

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Shanti Bhavan Students Head to Japan

The 4 Shanti Bhavan finalists: Rahul, Akash, Catsiya and Yeshwini

Have you ever dreamt of spending a summer in Japan? At Shanti Bhavan, 7th-9th graders have a great summer opportunity to attend ISAK, a leadership summer camp near Tokyo, on full scholarship. The summer school program is offered entirely in English and emphasizes diversity, leadership and creativity. Students attending ISAK (which stands for International School of Asia, Karuizawa) get to participate in a rigorous curriculum that includes a variety of courses from Science, Math and Literature to International Negotiation, Theater and Non-verbal Communication, Sports/Yoga, Music and Japanese as well as various leadership and diversity seminars. ISAK focuses on creating a diverse student body from countries all over Asia and the four Shanti Bhavan students who attended last year were praised by the staff for adding a very unique perspective to the group.

We have no doubt that this year will be the same! For the past few months, 11 of the best 7th-9th graders at Shanti Bhavan went through a rigorous application process to apply to the program. In order to be considered, the candidates had to write two essays, answer several short answer questions and get letters of recommendation from their teachers; sounds a lot like college applications to me! The pool has now been narrowed down to four students: 8th graders Rahul, Akash, Catsiya, and 7th grader Yeshwini (We sponsored her with tie-dye cupcakes!) who will have to go through a series of Skype interviews with the ISAK faculty. If chosen to go, these students will be leaving India for the first time and experiencing their first-ever airplane ride. It will be an eye-opening experience to interact with and learn from children in other countries and gain confidence by traveling to a foreign country. We wish Rahul, Akash, Catsiya and Yeshwini the best of luck!

To learn more about ISAK, check out their website!

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Shanti Bhavan: A True Life Cinderella Story

A few weeks ago, we touched on the subject of the caste system in India, an archaic social structure that is preventing the Dalit caste, which is a large portion of India’s population, from getting the opportunities they deserve and the opportunities that are their legal right.  The founder of our partner school in India, Dr. Abraham George, founded Shanti Bhavan based on the principles that every child has the capability to change the world if given the right resources, an idea we definitely believe in. So I dived into the philosophy behind Shanti Bhavan a bit more, and loved what I found:

Dr. George even wrote this book, "India Untouched," about his experiences opening the Shanti Bhavan school in India.

Dr. George realized that a country with a government plagued by corruption is not capable of taking care of its population; and simply giving money to the government in support of support educational projects did no good. In 1995, Dr. George left a lucrative Wall Street career to return to India and set up Shanti Bhavan. This way he could ensure that every penny donated would go towards educating the students admitted to his school. Shanti Bhavan is a truly progressive school where students get a well-rounded education and are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities, a truly radical idea if you look at the education system in the rest of India. Here are some fast facts about Shanti Bhavan:

The Shanti Bhavan model…

  • The Shanti Bhavan model identifies and educates tomorrow’s leaders of professions, politics, and society from within the ranks of India’s most deprived families.  The school’s model rests on three pillars: promoting academic achievement, instilling values and inspiring leadership.
  • 95 percent of shanti Bhavan’s students belong to the Dalit, or formerly termed “untouchable” communities, from families well below the Indian poverty line of $48 USD per month for a family of four or more.
  • Children are exposed to a diverse curriculum of academics that ensures all-around development, such as liberal arts, athletics and debate taught by both a local faculty and international volunteers representing 12 countries.

The Shanti Bhavan model seems to be working…

  • All students who took the level X ICSE exam in 2008, 2009 and 2010 passed with First Division, equivalent to a 3.5 GPA and higher by U.S. standards.  Half of the students scored “Distinctions,” above 75 percent, the highest scoring category.  No other Indian school in history has achieved such success within the Dalit community
  • In 2010, Shanti Bhavan celebrated its first graduation of 14 students.  All 14 graduates were accepted into top colleges in Bangalore, many of which are considered among the top 10 undergraduate colleges in India.

While Shanti Bhavan is a fairly young school (the first class graduated in 2010), I have no doubts that its graduates will go far. Already, the students are attending the top universities in India! Shanti Bhavan students are truly a real life Cinderella story. To learn more about the school, check out this link.

 

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Inspiring Words from a Soon-to-Be Author at Shanti Bhavan

Shilpa Raj: Shanti Bhavan alum, 4th Grade Teacher and Soon-to-Be Author

Our guest blogger, Isabel, has been working closely with Shilpa Raj, a Shanti Bhavan alum who graduated last year and decided to stay on to teach the 4th Grade at Shanti Bhavan while finishing up her memoir. Isabel has been working closely with Shilpa and Dr. Abraham George (the founder of Shanti Bhavan) to edit the book, which they hope will be published in the next year. Check out this excerpt of an interview that Isabel did with Shilpa:

One of my greatest joys at Shanti Bhavan has been getting to know eighteen-years-old Shilpa Raj who is setting out to write a book that captures her experience as a young girl leaving a life of poverty behind to study at Shanti Bhavan. Letting Shilpa explain herself in her own words, I asked her the following questions:

Isabel Rutherfurd: What would you say your book is really about?

Shilpa Raj: My book is the story of my life. The book has been divided into three major parts: The first part describes the lives of my father and generations before him. I come from a community in which people made their livelihood from brewing liquor illicitly. I tell the story of the day to day lifestyle of these people, what motivates them, what drove their actions and their understanding of live. It is my understanding of my family.

The second part of the book talks about my life between school and home. My life is divided between school and home which I get to visit during vacation. As I get older I begin to get confused as to where do I actually belong, what are the principles that I want to guide my life by or the individual I want to grow to be.  As a teenager living between these two contrasting worlds, I always do not make the smartest decisions. Along the way I begin to learn from my mistakes.  I am on a quest to find my identity and find my purpose of being.

The third part of the book deals with me choosing the world I want to lead the rest of my life in and the person I want to grow up to be.

IR: What is your book called and why did you decide to title it that?

SR: My book is called, ‘The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter.’ We grow sugarcane in my village. The elephants come and feast on these plantations, causing a lot of destruction to the livelihoods of the farmers. At night men like my father go out to chase the elephants away. That is why I call myself the daughter of the elephant chaser.

This title in a subtle way brings out the theme of living between two worlds. Even though I am the daughter of the elephant chaser, my life is completely different from the way his is. I think and believe differently. As father and daughter, we are very different.

IR: What unique perspective do you think your book offers the world and what are some of the main points that you hope to communicate through your book?

SR: Coming from the voice of a girl who came from poor circumstances but studied in a school that offered her a good future, this book talks about the need of an education for every child and the empowerment it can bring about.

IR: What have been some of the challenges in writing this book?

SR: There were times when some of my family members did not want to tell me their story, either because they were shy or because they didn’t see any point in what I was doing.

IR: How do your family and friends feel about your undertaking to write a book?

SR: It is a very strange idea for my family. Everybody at school supports me and believes in me. Initially it was very hard to explain to my family as to why I was taking the year off to work on a book instead of going to college. No one in my village has ever done something like this before and I can understand why my family was uncertain of my decision. Some of them are disappointed that I do not want to become a lawyer or something more conventional.

IR: Is there anything you want to challenge your readers with in your book?

SR: The message that I want to convey to the readers is about change. Dr. George brought about change in my life by giving me the opportunity to study at his school. This opportunity has broadened my chances to a better future. If one man could do so much, then surely a whole group of people can do more.

What do you think of Shilpa’s journey and decision to write a book? I find her absolutely inspiring given everything she has had to overcome to live her dream. I can’t wait to read her memoir!

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The Caste System and Challenges for Seniors in India

[Editor's Note: This is the third installment from guest blogger Isabel Rutherfurd, who is a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan.]

Shanti Bhavan's graduating class of 2012: Rising stars who are breaking the boundaries of the caste system and applying to the top business, law and medical schools in South India

In India, the caste system has long been ingrained in society, and has been causing problems for the lowest castes all the while. The system is an archaic social order that segments the Indian population into social classes based on roles and status in society. The Brahmin caste (or the priest class) is the highest ranked,  and the dalit caste, or the “untouchables,” is the lowest. The Indian Constitution rejected the concept of an untouchable caste in 1950—but although no longer officially sanctioned, the idea of untouchability remains alive in much of rural India. Members of the lowest castes are forced to drink from different wells, attend different temples, and stay in different parts of the villages. The government has made efforts to combat caste-based discrimination by providing members of the lowest castes with a fixed percentage of federal jobs and reserving a proportion of seats in parliament, but it hasn’t been successful in eradicating the generations of discrimination against these people.

The senior class at Shanti Bhavan, like most students here, is comprised of students from the lowest castes. Each one of them has taken steps to get closer to fulfilling dreams of attending law, business, and medical schools; dreams that are still ground-breaking for someone from their caste. But despite federal laws prohibiting caste discrimination, the students face a harder time going through the college application process than peers of a higher background.

The entrance exam for medical school in India requires the lowest castes pay additional fees to take the examination, and the college applications require identification numbers that many of the children have never been issued. Identification numbers (like the Social Security numbers we have in the United States) help the government prove an individual’s identity and keep a record of them. To this day, the majority of Indians do not have a uniform and sound way to prove their identity and existence, though there has been much headway in recent years (check out this link to learn more about the UIDA and India’s Identity Scheme). When national institutions bound by law to provide equal educational opportunities charge the poorest citizens more money to take entrance exams and require proof of identification they have no access to, the discrimination in play becomes incredibly obvious.

Since there are so few members of the lower castes applying to medical schools and colleges, there has not been enough demand on the national institutions to effectively change their procedures. In recent years, private organizations have realized this grave mistake on the part of the Indian government and have been working closely to have these discriminatory practices eliminated. In the future, we hope (and are working hard to make this a reality!) that many more children will be able to break the cycle of poverty in their families, and apply to any and all universities, regardless of their background. We can provide these brilliant, driven students with what they need to overcome these obstacles and achieve their dreams.

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The Voice Your Verse Campaign and Updates from Jancy

Everyone’s aflutter at She’s the First gearing up for our first ever Voice Your Verse poetry campaign. The goal is to compile an anthology of original poetry written by YOU, and 100% of the profits will go toward funding girls’ education. What are you waiting for? Submit your original poems!

Not only will you have the chance to have your work published, but you could win a $500 college scholarship and Chegg for Good is MATCHING that with a $500 scholarship for Jancy, a student we sponsor at Shanti Bhavan!

We were first introduced to Jancy when She’s the First started sponsoring her through funds raised at the She’s the First Soiree held in November 2010. She soon found herself with a network of new friends through the She’s the First Digital Pen Pal program, and this past Fall, she put her passion for art and design to good use by judging the Tie-Dye Cupcake T-Shirt Design contest.

Jancy is now a senior at Shanti Bhavan and will be graduating in June (we’ll be attending!). Though she will miss Shanti Bhavan, she is eagerly looking forward to going to college to study business (and eventually wants to get her MBA). Check out the video below to hear from Jancy herself on her hopes for the future and her reflections on her time spent at Shanti Bhavan.

 

 

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Traditional Indian Art at Shanti Bhavan

[Editor's Note: This is the second installment from guest blogger Isabel Rutherfurd, who is a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan.]

Students at Shanti Bhavan work together to create traditional Rangoli designs

Traditional Indian art made its way to center stage this week at Shanti Bhavan. I had the pleasure of leading the fourth and fifth grade classes in the creation of a customized rangoli in the school’s courtyard. Rangoli is a traditional folk art made from colored sand or rice flour and is thought to bring good luck. Shanti Bhavan students learned some of these symmetrical patterns and put their skills to good use, creating the largest rangoli the school has ever seen.

A student methodically working on a Rangoli design

Each rangoli design is brightly colored and usually located in doorways, courtyards, and other sacred areas. Because of the good energy these designs bring a household, rangoli designs are essential to the presentation of any household. Each rangoli pattern is passed down from mother to daughter and drawn each morning, just after the sun rises. While students at Shanti Bhavan learned these designs from their teachers, their designs maintain authenticity and bring excitement and color to the campus!

Note from Aishwarya: I’m very impressed with how elaborate and intricate these designs are! I remember making rangoli designs for Diwali with my mother when I was a kid. (Re-purposing leftover sand from my Sand Art kits, the American version of rangoli!) The students at Shanti Bhavan did a great job, don’t you think?

Students hard at work

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NYU’s Stern School of Business Visits Shanti Bhavan

[Editor's Note: This is the first post by guest blogger Isabel Rutherfurd, who is a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan.]

Stern MBA's meet Shanti Bhavan students

Shanti Bhavan’s campus buzzed with excitement this past weekend as 55 students from Stern’s Executive MBA program came to visit the school. Ryutaro, director of marketing at UNICEF, and Donna Drasher, finance manager at Johnson & Johnson addressed the students with words of encouragement and positive reflections. Mizuno told the school, “The most powerful and important tool we have is education,” and encouraged them to “dream of a world only your heart can build.”

A Stern/Shanti Bhavan musical collaboration!

Members of the Stern program got a tour of the school building, dorms, and athletic field by the school’s foremost experts—the students! After familiarizing themselves with campus, the visitors joined the students and faculty for the morning assembly. Four members from the 11th and 12th grades presented the morning news and the choir performed “Vellai Pokol,” a melodious tune sung in Tamil. Both Shanti Bhavan and Stern showed off their musical talent on the piano with a mix of Beethoven, Bach, and Schubert. After the assembly, the Shanti Bhavan students had a chance to talk with the Stern visitors to ask them about their lives and careers!

A Stern MBA with his new friends

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Cupcake Tees and Totes at Shanti Bhavan

Hello World!

My name is Aishwarya and I’ll be the new Shanti Bhavan researcher, reporting on all the great things happening at our partner school in India. I was born in India but raised in the U.S., making me a first generation Indian American. I graduated from the Huntsman Program for International Studies and Business at the University of Pennsylvania and I currently live and work in New York City. Ensuring that females in the developing world have access to education is a cause that is very important to me and I am extremely excited to be joining the She’s the First team!

The proud judge with volunteers Ashley Monroe and Isabel Rutherfurd

Today I bring back an old friend of ours: Remember Jancy? Jancy is a senior at Shanti Bhavan and was chosen to judge the Cupcake T-Shirt Design contest this past Fall. Being the top art student at Shanti Bhavan made her well qualified for the task. Someday, she hopes to be a fashion designer and wants to take business courses in college so she can start her own fashion company. Given how savvy she already is, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were one day running her own fashion empire!

Well it took a while, but here Jancy is receiving her favorite t-shirt pick (designed by Kelsey Thorn, Skidmore College Senior) and tote bag (designed by Krista Firkins, Emerson College Senior).

Jancy receives her "Make a Change Bake a Cupcake" t-shirt designed by Kelsey Thorn of Skidmore College

Jancy's "I'm a Baker, Not a Fighter" Tote by Krista Firkins, an Emerson College Senior

Did any of you pick the same tee? Isn’t it cool to know that all the way in India, Jancy is wearing the same thing?

I look forward to becoming a regular on the She’s the First blog and getting to know you all!

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The Skype Call I’ll Never Forget

Chelsea Tirrell is president of She’s the First*{Hofstra}, which recently raised $600 to sponsor girls in the Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off.

On Thursday, December 1st, She’s the First*{Hofstra} had our very first experience Skyping with some of our sponsored girls in India and, simply put, it was amazing.

Chelsea Tirrell leads her campus chapter in a Skype call with Shanti Bhavan girls in India!

As president of our chapter, I wanted to do something special for my members after a semester filled with hard work. When I needed someone to fill in an atrium table slot, someone was there. When I needed meeting attendance to be prompt and plentiful, everyone was there. When I needed to bake over 600 cupcakes, everyone was there. Their passion and dedication hadn’t gone unnoticed and it’s their loyalty to this cause that lead our chapter to such success this year. For that, I knew they needed a reward. They needed a meeting that wasn’t a meeting but rather, an opportunity for them to see what all of their hard work had gone toward. And with that, I reached out to Christen Brandt who connected me with Brianne Riviello. Together, we put together STF*{Hofstra}’s notably awesome Skype chat with India.

We connected with four girls from the Shanti Bhavan school in India with the help of their coordinator, Rahil. Once we got the camera and audio to finally work, we were welcomed by Vijayalakshmi (Viji) in 9th grade, Sujatha in 10th grade, Pratibha in 11th grade and Maheshwari (Mahesh) in 12th grade. I couldn’t tell who was more excited to speak with who, but it was an all around session of smiles and laughs.

We learned that they loved Harry Potter and Twilight, that they played basketball and loved to dance, and that they had dreams – some bigger than our own – that were backed by relentless eyes.

These girls were the first females in their families to get an education and we learned why. Some of their mothers couldn’t afford it while others married young and didn’t have the opportunity. But luckily for these girls, they finally had the chance thanks to She’s the First.

These girls are as real as they’re going to get. They’re curious, smart, passionate, and excited to take on the world that’s ahead of them. To have a part in an organization that helps send such amazing girls to school is a bigger honor than most can say they’ve gained.

Raising money is one thing. But when you get up close and personal, it changes the name of the game. The connection we made is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my involvement with She’s the First. And as for my members? It’s a Skype call that changed their prospective on things. It’s given them a desire to be more involved and a greater appreciation for what we have here and what we can give.

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Celebrating Indian Independence Day at Shanti Bhavan

[Editor’s Note: This is the final guest post from Alison Perry, our guest blogger who just completed her second stint as a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan in India.]

Recent Shanti Bhavan graduates in their Sarees to celebrate Independence Day

Recent Shanti Bhavan graduates in their sarees to celebrate Independence Day

 

Monday August 15th was national Independence Day in India, so classes were cancelled across the country for a long weekend. At Shanti Bhavan, this meant that the batch of graduates (who are now studying at top colleges in Bangalore) were able to come “home” for a visit.

To celebrate, all of the students threw together their skills to put on performances for the school. I work with the choir, so we sang some new songs, along with “Memory,” an old favorite of Dr. George’s [founder of SB]. There were a series of dance acts choreographed by Elise, a volunteer who dances in New York. The young ladies from the fifth grade took center stage to the beat of Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” while the older students performed to “DJ Got Us Falling in Love.” The real highlight of the evening, however, was a break dance choreographed and performed by three older students: Prem, Praveen, and Lily. Lily really held her own between the two boys, dancing front and center and keeping the audience’s eyes with her expressive, uninhibited moves. I was so impressed by the confidence of the students. Though many of the acts were imperfect, none of the students felt embarrassed. They were all eager to try their best, without fear about the outcome.

After two days of exuberant performances, Monday arrived sunny and warm—perfect weather for the Independence Day ceremony. At 9 A.M. the school gathered for the hoisting of the flag. Many of the young ladies had been up all morning tying their sarees in honor of the holiday. The entrance to Shanti Bhavan was a mosaic of brilliantly saturated hues and glittering silver embroidery. The Indian national flag was hoisted into the air in a flutter of purple blossoms. The students solemnly sang the national anthem, their voices holding together despite the absence of piano or conductor.

Following the ceremony we all retired to the dining hall for a special breakfast of potatoes and puffed bread. After such an exciting weekend, we all needed the rest of the day to recuperate before starting classes again on Tuesday!

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Teaching English to the Aunties at Shanti Bhavan

Editor’s Note: This is the second post from Alison Perry, our guest blogger currently completing her second stint as a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan in India.


Some of the "Aunties" who are learning English at Shanti Bhavan

Last week was exciting for all of the women here at Shanti Bhavan in India, and not just the students. SB hosts a dozen or so “Aunties,” who tend to the children, supervise their dorms, get them up in the morning, and after their welfare. Some of the Aunties have been at SB since the school was founded, while others are young Indian women working for a few years before they get married.

Many of the Aunties, particularly those who have not been here long, speak only minimal English, so me and the other SB volunteers have started teaching them “Auntie English.” During a free period, we share useful vocabulary and sometimes help them read children’s books. Many of us feel like this is the most rewarding class to teach, because while most of the students and staff do speak the local dialect of Tamil, English is the language of the school, so the Aunties are eager to master it. They gain confidence in being able to communicate with the children and the volunteers.

It’s an SB tradition that at 11:05 a.m. the whole school gathers for assembly, at which we stay a prayer, make announcements, and share world news. Amanda, one of the other volunteers, decided that as a project, the Aunties would present the daily news to the school—in English! The Aunties prepared tirelessly, researching headlines on the Internet, transcribing them into their own words, and making sure they understood the news stories. On the morning of “Auntie News” the entire school was anticipating an exciting assembly, and we weren’t disappointed. The Aunties presented on everything from Middle East unrest to health advice. Though they stumbled over some big words like “rhythmic gymnastics,” they maintained great poise and composure. Afterwards, we could see how proud the Aunties were to have spoken in English before the entire school. It was a really memorable day!

Best,
Alison

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Learning Literature at Shanti Bhavan

[Editor's Note: Meet our newest guest blogger, Alison Perry, who’s currently completing her second stint as a volunteer teacher at Shanti Bhavan in India. The sophomore at Tulane will be sharing a few of her thoughts, photos and experiences with us!]

Students in an elective literature class at Shanti Bhavan

Hello from India! At Shanti Bhavan,  I teach Elective Literature to the 11th grade, which is actually a small class of only two girls, Kishori and Catherine, who are pursuing the liberal arts tract.

I really enjoy working with the girls in such a personal setting. We are able to have substantive conversations, and I feel like I’m getting to know their personalities along the way. The smallness of the class is particularly good for Kishori and Catherine, because when I’ve seen them in larger classes, they are sometimes hesitant to participate.

We’ve been working for a week with William Blake’s poetry. At first, they were very outspoken in their dislike for Blake, but slowly but surely they are coming to appreciate his nuanced (and sometimes highly complex) work. Catherine is particularly excited by the idea that his poems were considered “sacrilegious,” since students at SB come from all religious backgrounds, from Christian to Hindu to Atheistic. But they are all excited and eager to talk about questions or God, creation, and religious organization.

Today, we had a particularly illuminating discussion on the idea of opposites. Blake’s theme of innocence versus experience sparked the question “can we have innocence without experience?” At first they both adamantly insisted that opposites can exist independently of one another, but after reading the poem “The Tyger,” they have begun to question this assumption.

What do you think of the girls’ curriculum? Do you remember studying Blake in high school?

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Let’s Dance! Bollywood Dance Class Will Sponsor Girl in India

iNFiN8 dancing at our She's the First Soiree last November!

In the mood to get your dance on? If you live in New York, then come join She’s the First on Sunday, September 18th for a special Bollywood Dance Class taught by the South-Asian Dance Company iNFiN8! For those of you who have been following us for awhile, they were the awesome group that performed at our first birthday celebration last November!) The proceeds of the class—and any additional donations—will go toward sponsoring a girl at our partner school Shanti Bhavan. The event is organized by Shanti Bhavan and iNFiN8, based in NYC/NJ area just like us, so we’re thrilled we can attend in person and support!

Keerthishree

iNFiN8′s goal is to sponsor Keerthishree, a 4th grader who dreams of being both a software engineer and singer when she grows up. You can learn more about the event on iNFiN8′s Facebook page and sign up for it here. Even if you can’t attend the class, you can still donate a few dollars to give Keerthishree the education she deserves to continue to have—and you can help her become the first software engineer AND singing pop star some day.

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Want to Volunteer in India? We’ve Got Details!

On Monday, She’s the First supporters hung out with Natasha Khanna from The Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project via Google+ Hangout to discuss volunteering at the school in India. Natasha, the school’s director of communications, led a chipper and thorough discussion about the ins and outs of volunteering at Shanti Bhavan that would make a Nike CEO want to drop her briefcases and book a flight.

Google Hangout on August 22, 2011

She’s the First’s partner school, which educates children of the lowest caste in rural India, provides room and board to the volunteer staff on the beautiful campus as well as a strong community to help newcomers learn and love the program.

The nostalgia in her voice and on her face made it obvious Natasha had not only had the time of her life, but had made a true connection to the children of the program. Though she was chosen to teach, she had also learned a great deal about the culture of India and about the school itself. Telling She’s the First advocates about the diet, schedule, dress code, and goals of the school seemed to transport her back into the 7 months of her own volunteer stint. Natasha even thoughtfully detailed where non-vegetarians would be able to trek for chicken, and what to do if you found the food too spicy.

After getting an answer on every question from lesson plans to sleeve length, I was trying to figure out how I can go stay as long a time as possible. Shanti Bhavan has truly rounded up a group of inspiring students and teachers alike, and I can’t wait for my turn to visit.

Here are the quick details, but check out this page to get all the information you’ll need.

• Free room and board on the Shanti Bhavan campus, but pay for your flight (about $1500, give or take)
• Requires a commitment of at least one month
• Create lesson plans and teach children in an area of your preference
• Days generally start around 7:30 a.m. and go until 10 or 11 p.m.

Want more? Email us at info@shesthefirst.org and we’ll hook you up with Natasha or another Shanti Bhavan volunteer to answer all of your questions!

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Join Our Google+ Hangout and Volunteer at Shanti Bhavan!

Former Shanti Bhavan volunteer Natasha Khanna is hosting a Google+ Hangout this Tuesday!

Have you always dreamed of packing up for a few months and dedicating your time to a school in need in a foreign country? Well, here’s your chance! Our partner school in India, Shanti Bhavan, is looking for volunteers to join their prestigious program from September 25th – December 18th. And on Monday, August 22, we’re hosting a Google+ Hangout with our former guest blogger Natasha Khanna, who volunteered for 7 months last year at Shanti Bhavan. Natasha will be sharing her own experiences—from quitting her PR job in New York and heading to India to teaching SB students everything from computers to photography while there—and answering all of your questions.

The details:
• RSVP to info@shesthefirst.org with your preferred time of either 7:30 p.m. or 8:15 and your full name as listed on Google+
• Add She’s the First Executive Director Christen Brandt to your Google+ circle (So she can add you to the hangout)
• Join in on Monday to find out if volunteering might be right for you!

Never been in a Google+ hangout before? Here’s how.

To learn more about Shanti Bhavan’s volunteer program, visit their volunteer page.

We’ll see you Tuesday!

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Singing and Dancing at Shanti Bhavan!

[Editor's Note: Meg is currently volunteering at our partner school Shanti Bhavan in India, and will be our guest blogger while she's there. Leave your questions or comments for her and the girls!]

Dancing at Shanti Bhavan

Dancing with students at Shanti Bhavan!

Hi readers!
Sorry it’s been so long since my last post—the students here at Shanti Bhavan are keeping me busy! But believe it or not, my time here is quickly coming to a close, and I wanted to share what’s been happening.

My most recent endeavor with the older girls has been learning (or attempting to learn) to dance. They are all much better than I am, but it’s fun all the same. A new volunteer, Elise,  joined us recently. She dances in a company in New York City, and has brought incredible energy to the stage. The girls love it.

We are currently working on a dance to Usher’s DJ Got Us Falling in Love. I could not imagine a better song to dance to. For one, Usher and Akon are school-wide favorites, so it’s wonderful to watch the girls singing along as we dance. Also, the spirit in this song perfectly embodies the energy on the stage. But most of all, the Shanti Bhavan DJ makes everyone fall in love.

At Shanti Bhavan dancing to Usher

The girls at Shanti Bhavan dancing to Usher

During my time here, I’ve learned that music is the heart and soul of the student body. As I walk around the school building at night I can always here someone practicing the piano or cello, or a child humming to his- or herself. Every meal is set to a soundtrack, and I often find myself singing Adele long into the night. Almost all of my first conversations with students here were about my favorite song or artist. These kids know their pop culture, and while most of the music is current American songs,  I was ecstatic to hear that the 90s boy bands from my childhood are still popular in rural India. Of course, the students have also done a good job of educating me about the best of Bollywood music and their Tamil favorites.

I got to wondering why music and dancing are so important to the students at Shanti Bhavan, so I asked some of the girls I am dancing with why they love both so much. I got a variety of beautiful responses, but by far the most energetic and moving answer was: “It just feels like living.”

 

Until next time,
Meg

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Shanti Bhavan’s Karthika is a Star!

Remember Karthika, the recent Shanti Bhavan graduate we chatted with on Skype a few weeks ago and who was featured in the Times of India for being accepted at one of the country’s top law schools? Well, news of her her triumphant story is spreading all over, and she and Shanti Bhavan have been featured all over the news in India! Read the articles about her in the Times of India and the Bangalore Mirror, and check out the awesome videos My News 9 did about her story below!

 

 

 

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