My time at Prem Nivas always flies, when not preparing for Christmas and festivals, birthdays and special events, I am usually involved in teaching. I take the gifted in our primary school who want to go on the the English medium section of High School, as well as those helping those who find learning a struggle and are shortly going to High school. I have long emphasised the need to learn basic maths, tables and reading in the local language, Every morning before the teachers arrive the children are encouraged to read a set of Telugu books . I even had to drag out my very rusty Hindi when I found three High school boys who could not manage to read the letters of this compulsory language of the curriculum.
The adult scooter that was bought by Sue and David can be ridden by all ages and is very popular in break times and after school. It is in such demand that we had to ration its use for smaller children to before 5pm!
The cricket bat for the taller boys from Karen and Maura is used on Sundays when the college and senior boys go out to a park to play with their school friends - well away from our windows!
One Sunday morning we got out some old lego and the children had a go at making vehicles.
I decided that they should be encouraged to use their imaginations and ordered some plastic meccano kits from Amazon India.courtesy of Sarah and Simon.
These construction kits to build cars and aeroplanes arrived for the Prem Nivas children after I left but we had found some pieces in the toys room to practice with. Besides learning how to follow the diagrams and following instructions the children were encouraged to make things of their own design.
We had several birthdays and visits from Grandmothers too!
I was only able to stay one night at what was Shanti Nivas. The children from Karuna Nivas and the HIV children from Thompson House are now part of the Dewan Children's Village. They still go to the government schools at Ompali, are part of the Vocational Training Centre or at Inter College.
The cricket bat for the taller boys from Karen and Maura is used on Sundays when the college and senior boys go out to a park to play with their school friends - well away from our windows!
I decided that they should be encouraged to use their imaginations and ordered some plastic meccano kits from Amazon India.courtesy of Sarah and Simon.
These construction kits to build cars and aeroplanes arrived for the Prem Nivas children after I left but we had found some pieces in the toys room to practice with. Besides learning how to follow the diagrams and following instructions the children were encouraged to make things of their own design.
Sundays are chappati making days and I was pleased to see that since my last visit in March 2017 the is occupation is now undertaken by boys! The girls so sweeping and cleaning while these are being made.
Perhaps the boys will have a go at washing and cleaning one day ?
We had several birthdays and visits from Grandmothers too!
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| Gowri |
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| Satya |
I was only able to stay one night at what was Shanti Nivas. The children from Karuna Nivas and the HIV children from Thompson House are now part of the Dewan Children's Village. They still go to the government schools at Ompali, are part of the Vocational Training Centre or at Inter College.
