Help us in our fight against educational inequity! | Milaap
Help us in our fight against educational inequity!
  • Haritha

    Created by

    Haritha Vijay V L
  • DP

    This fundraiser will benefit

    Danilimda Public School

    from Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Hello everyone,
I, Haritha Vijay and Godly Banerjee currently work as Teach for India fellows in Ahmedabad.
Do take out a few minutes to read our story and help us out in our fight against Ed inequity. 

It is been a year since we have entered our classrooms of 42 third graders each, who have challenged us every single day. 

If at all we have learned something the entire year, it'd be to smile through our struggles and keep going, no matter what. Stepping into our classrooms has been a puzzle that we have been trying to solve every single moment, working and reworking plans through nights and days.

What we have realized recently is how we are incapable of solving all the problems we encounter, all by ourselves.

The Problem:
Our kids come from an underprivileged Muslim community called Danilimda in Ahmedabad. Most of them stay in one-room houses with a family size ranging from 3 to even 12. More than financial deprivation, its effects have been ugly and deteriorating their lifestyle, of which the most bothering being poor values and mindsets. The behavioral issues we face have seen no bounds, from fights leading to bloodshed and abuses, to some kids not wanting to sit and study 99% of the times. The kids being first generation language learners lack the right support from home when it comes to literacy, thus ebbing the learning outcomes. Furthermore, the school lacks a library and probably all the systems that we once had as students.

Bright Spots:

Our kids are really sharp and bright. It is hard for anyone to believe the first time they enter the classroom because all you'll find is a large bunch of kids who love jumping around rather than sitting in their seats. Being in the classroom for an year now, their swift brains and smartness is what makes us hopeful for the year ahead. They have the potential, what they lack is the opportunity.

Untying the knot:
Having an abnormal childhood deprived of caring parents, learning materials, puzzle books, colouring pages, children's magazines, fairy tales, is something we would find it hard to think of. The fairy tales and bedtime stories have definitely shaped us and broadened our imagination. It has been an integral part to being what we are today. 
Reflecting on how we had an enriching childhood, now as teachers, we are pushing ourselves to bring all that to our kids, literally having to undertake the roles of various stakeholders.
The solution we figured is to build investment in learning by letting them explore. Accessibility is something we strive for.


Catering to the needs of a such a large number hasn't been in our individual capacities and thus we request your support to help us provide the requisite resources.

Your contributions will be utilised for the following purposes:

1. School library and shelves: We wish to start a proper library system for our kids where they can borrow books, read and return turn-wise.

2. Puzzles and learning materials: for building their motor skills, cognitive skills, problem solving capacity and even providing them with a sense of achievement and appreciation.

3. Classroom and  sports supplies: For activity based learning, lessons and physical training.

The love we are ushered with, despite of everything is something that will be passed onto you, for your generous contribution. Their capacity to love knows no bounds either.

We assure you that every rupee would be put to judicious use. Timely updates will be reaching your email inboxes along with personalised notes of gratitude.
Thanks in advance! :)

Other options for contributing: 


A) You can also contribute any used children books (fairy tales, fables, classics etc) that you might have, by posting them to my address. Kindly drop an email at haritha.v2017@teachforindia.org and I shall reply to you with my address. 

B) You can also gift books from this Amazon wishlist: http://www.amazon.in/registry/wishlist/3GXI5H2N65M8

https://www.amazon.in/registry/wishlist/3ICWZHSAC7E5A


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