Rich children teach poor in Kolkata

Sealdah (WB), Apr 15 : Close on the lines of the 'each one, teach one' education campaign, children of affluent families in Kolkata are imparting education to the not-so-privileged children.

Sister Cyril, Principal of Loreto Day School in Sealdah initiated the project to teach street kids in 1983.

The project, which began with just three street children, has now multiplied to almost 250 underprivileged children who are residing within the premises of the school.

The street kids who are called rainbow children get the same quality education as their privileged counterparts.

Under the decade old project, the regular schoolgirls use their 'work education period' to work with these poor children and help them in their learning process besides befriending and sharing their problems.

Girl students from affluent families teaching the underprivileged kids say that the project has been a huge learning experience for them as they have become more practical and generous in their daily lives.

"These children have become part of our family. We teach them and play with them. It's an interchange of words and feeling," said Amrita Chanda, a student.

The necessary facilities such as meals, uniforms, books and clothes are raised from contributions in cash and kind or fund raising drives conducted by regular scholars, staff and the parents.

"We run a very non-competitive, community school, where everybody thinks for everyone and helps everyone," said Sister Cyril.

According to Sister Cyril, the project had its own share of difficulties in its initial phase as the parents of upper class society had expressed their disagreement regarding inclusion of hard-up children with their wards. But without accepting defeat, the project now aims to increase its number from 250 to 1000 girl children. By Ajitha Menon

ANI