We toured Mithraniektan Vellanad, a school built by Laurie Baker, and one I found a connection to. The school was built in 1956 as a center for supplemental education. Students attend regular school and there they would be provided extracuricullar activities. The importance of education inspired them to extend regular school to standard 10, but could not include 11 and 12 because of finances. The school follows the state curriculum and provide students the opportunity to learn trades such as agriculture, carpentry, electrician, ceramics and baking to name a few. The school also uses trades such as the Bakery, which are considered economic viable units to increase funds by selling products. The students were nice enough to share delicious lemon cake with us!
Their students come from tribes who otherwise wouldn't receive an eduction. Coming from tribes, they are unable to afford fees, and everything is provided for them. However, Mithraniketan is recognized as a school by the government but does not receive funding. Orignially they received funding from the Danish government but this too stopped in 2006. Being around people with such good intentions and large hearts compelled me to donate. My friend and I have been looking for a non-profit to commit to, and here I am sure our money will go a long way (as American money is worth more AND they follow cost effective principles).
Hearing the hardships of maintaining teachers also drove my desire to support. Teachers are difficult to hire at Mithraniketan and once they are, hard to retain. Because Mithraniketan is a non-profit their teachers are recent graduates or of the elder population. The recent graduates stay until they find more comparable pay for their education and skills, many times leaving the students without a teacher mid year.
This place was extraordinary and I am excited to help, even if in very small way. As stated by Reghu, "it takes a special kind of person to work here" and those are the people I wish to support.
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