https://www.shivacharity.org https://www.shivacharity.org/friends-of-midnapore-newsletter-june-2020 <h3> Supporting pre-primary schools in West Bengal </h3> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/88eb2125/dms3rep/multi/3.PNG"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> Beautiful West Bengal – change and continuity – paddy  <span> fields recently flooded to create vast lucrative fish farms,  </span> <span> shimmering reflections of squat red-roofed village houses  </span> <span> and diving water birds. </span> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Yet we find continuity and stability in the small rural villages where our schools serve their communities. As ever, my annual  <span> visit reassures me that good work is happening here. The teachers run their schools with a confidence coming from the daily  </span> <span> practice of their skills yet they are ever open to new ideas and innovation. </span> </div> <div> <br/> </div> </div> <div> <a> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/88eb2125/dms3rep/multi/4.PNG" alt=""/> </a> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> A collection of locally gathered leaves are used to develop hand eye coordination and social skills whilst creating a group collage. Peace and calm prevail whilst they work. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Students’ attention is held with colourful real objects that are part of a young child’s life’s experience. Glossy peppers and </span> </p> <p> <span> apples are passed to eager hands, discussed and named. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Teachers meet to make their own teaching materials and share well-used ideas. Materials are carefully and respectfully stored, protected against wind, rain, dust and paper-boring insects. So many challenges in this tropical climate. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> Parents appreciate the firm yet caring ways of these local known women who are our teachers, and the inclusive learning atmosphere created. <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> A big thankyou from myself and all the wonderful teachers of West Bengal <span>  </span> </span> </p> </div> Sat, 24 Apr 2021 09:42:42 GMT clivehughes@mac.com (Clive Hughes) https://www.shivacharity.org/friends-of-midnapore-newsletter-june-2020 thumbnail main image https://www.shivacharity.org/test <h3> Supporting pre-primary schools in West Bengal </h3> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/88eb2125/dms3rep/multi/1.PNG"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <div> <span> Sadly Maggie is unable to visit the Midnapore village schools </span> </div> <div> this year. She is missing the familiar scenes of village life at this </div> <div> attractive time of the year. The climate is gently warming, </div> <div> mosquitoes are few, farmers are ankle deep in water, planting </div> <div> the fresh green shoots of the paddy crop and the vegetable </div> <div> gardens are full of cabbages, cauliflower and tomatoes. It’s a </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> pleasure to drive the dusty roads on Kustav’s motorbike as we </div> <div> happily exchange school news that he can share as the </div> <div> schools supervisor. Approaching each village we would hear </div> <div> the guiding voice of the teacher and the loud enthusiastic </div> <div> responses from the students. </div> <div> However, these are happy memories from other years. </div> </div> <div> <a> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/88eb2125/dms3rep/multi/2.PNG" alt=""/> </a> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> To enable me to write this newsletter, I have emailed the project <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> accountant, Kundan, who knows the villages well. He tells me </span> </p> <p> <span> that the schools are closed but plan to open in April. </span> </p> <p> <span> The teachers keep in contact with parents by home visits and </span> </p> <p> <span> phone calls. Encouraging parents with home schooling knows </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> no boundaries. </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> We have continued to pay the teachers’ </span> </p> <p> <span> salaries to help support their families as many husbands have </span> </p> <p> <span> lost their work. Kundan says there is little virus sickness but </span> </p> <p> <span> there is scarcity of food, poverty and some breakdown in </span> </p> <p> <span> fa </span> <span> mily and village life. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> So, it’s ever important that we continue to give our reliable help </span> </p> <p> <span> to the village schools. The young students will benefit from the </span> </p> <p> <span> security of the family atmosphere of their school communities. </span> </p> <p> <span> They will continue to build the foundations of their future </span> </p> <p> <span> education in the care of their committed teachers. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Please will you help us to fulfil this aim </span> </p> <p> <span> with your continuing support </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> AN IMPORTANT CHANGE </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Please note that Youth Education Service is no longer lookingafter our finances. We are happy that Shiva Charity reg no1045197 is now managing all funds. If you wish to donateeither a single payment or by making a direct debit, please </span> <span> <span> </span> </span> <a href="/contact"> contact Shiva Charity. </a> </p> </div> Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:14:43 GMT clivehughes@mac.com (Clive Hughes) https://www.shivacharity.org/test thumbnail main image