Himalayan Village Project
Sustainable and Inclusive Education
– To improve the standard of village education
– To extend educational opportunities to all village children regardless of gender, ability, socio-economic condition, religion, caste or ethnicity
– Encouraging children to set goals and develop qualities including confidence, initiative, critical thinking, moral decision making, respect, and responsibility
– Training and employment of local youth and adults
– Construction of safe and secure schools
– Supply of books, stationary, athletic equipment and art supplies
– FREE extra-curricular programs for all children
– Nutritious meals for primary school children
Background
Having identified the need to improve village education in order to sustain local livelihoods in a globalizing world, the people of Gitdubling, India, appealed to Futures For Children for resource personnel who could assist with a program to increase literacy and improve leadership skills among the village children and youth. The Himalayan Literacy and Leadership Camp was designed in response to this need as a grassroots-level and participatory method of achieving their goal. As a non-profit development organization run by volunteers in Ontario, Futures For Children has been a proud partner in this project since 2000. In addition to human resource development, we are also proud to assist in the construction of school buildings, and supply of educational and recreational equipment and local employment.
Himalayan Literacy and Leadership Camp
This innovative project serves the need for improved village education in the Darjeeling district of India. To enhance our infrastructure development, training and employment programmes, we offer an experience unique to this region: the Himalayan Literacy and Leadership Camp. Envisioned at the grass-roots level by local community members, and inspired by the Canadian summer camp experience, we aim to enhance community development in a participatory, sustainable, and affordable way. Participation in this camp is an effective and proven method of improving literacy and leadership skills among children, youth and adults, particularly in disadvantaged locations where educational resources are inadequate.
St. Francis of Assisi School, Gorubathan, India
A hazardous government primary school in Gorubathan, in 2007.
St. Francis Assisi School opened its doors in February 2008
Frustrated with the inadequacy of primary education in the village of Gorubathan, India, concerned citizens mobilized to address the problems facing them. With little hope of educational reform in the existing schools, and with the urgent need for improved education from the primary level through to higher secondary, they set out on an innovative project to establish an educational program adhering to principles of accountability, responsibility, transparency and high quality. Having assembled a team of committed teachers, administrators and local materials donors, they appealed to Futures for Children for financial support. Futures for Children was impressed by their plan to achieve ICSC affiliation, a high standard of education in India, and by their ability to acquire the land, construction materials, labour and teaching staff needed to make the school a success. When all that was required to realize their goal of improved local education was minimal funding, Futures for Children came forward with the capital. A labour of love and concern for the common good, St. Francis Assisi School opened its doors as a primary school in February 2008. With a small but dynamic and accomplished staff of local teachers, and a student body of a little more than 40 girls and boys, the inaugural year was a resounding success.
In 2009 St. Francis Assisi School Principal John Britto Banerjee facilitated Gorubathan’s first annual participation in the Himalayan Literacy and Leadership Camp for children and youth, thereby further extending the opportunity for improved education to more than 200 village students. Futures for Children continues to work with local leaders in this village to to create educational opportunities for children in need.
Students and staff of St. Francis Assisi School, Gorubathan, with a Futures For Children volunteer.
Students at St. Francis Assisi School, Gorubathan, sharing a story with Futures for Children Director, Adam Malloy.