Solar Bridge Schools in Rajasthan

A while ago, we funded our project with the Barefoot College in Rajasthan. So we thought we’d give you a little update on what happened with the money we donated to India:

The futures of children, who work at a young age, is mapped out from the beginning: working as a child, accepting smaller jobs later, and barely being able to provide for the family as an adult. Thus, poverty carries on from generation to generation. In the Solar Bridge School, children, who work during the day, benefit from a basic education – as they study in the evening, by the light of solar lanterns. The schools are located directly in the villages where the children live and work.

With our help, now 26 children aged 5 to 12 years as well as one teacher get a chance for a fresh start – and this way, family members and the whole village community benefit as well. The children do not only acquire skills in reading, writing and mathematics, but also learn how to deal with important everyday-issues: how do you mail a letter, what do you do at the bank and how do you herd goats.

They benefit from monthly health and dental checks and receive important basic knowledge on health issues (e.g. the importance of clean drinking water and sanitation). Another important aspect is the Children’s Parliament, where important questions of everyday-life can be discussed and the children help run the solar bridge schools. This way, they receive a basic democratic education as well.

From 6 – 9 pm every Monday to Saturday, the children attend school lessons for an entire school year; at the same time, teachers are able to increase their knowledge through teachers training conducted by the Barefoot College. The children also get the chance to participate in educational excursions to dairy farms, the post office, banks or the market.

A more than welcome side effect on the rest of the community is an increased awareness of the importance of education – especially for girls. Community members understand the benefits of educated children for their community, parents recognise the importance of their children’s education and older children bring along their younger siblings to the Solar Bridge School. Therefore, children act as change agents in the communities. Besides, the children teach the community basic hygiene rules that lead to a better health situation altogether.