Volunteering at Parijat
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Assam: Free school attracts volunteer from the US
video link CNN IBN http://ibnlive.in.com/news/assam-free-school-attracts-volunteer-from-the-us/265249-3.html
Guwahati: It's been a year since Uttam Teron was given the CNN-IBN Real Hero Award for his school Parijat Academy, a free school for underprivileged children in Assam. Today the school has 500 students from 14 different tribal communities. The award has helped the school but the road ahead has not been easy. The school is heavily dependent on help from friends and well-wishers.
"It is very difficult sitting in one part of the country convincing others in other parts of the country. It is difficult, very tough," Teron said.
It is a team effort that is also attracting volunteers from other parts of the world. Amy Partridge, an American volunteer who has travelled from Korea and trying to infuse a new life to this free school. She is making learning a fun process and the students love it.
"The disadvantage is that volunteers don't come here consistently. Right now, I am trying to raise awareness in the US," Amy said.
There are 24 teachers who work full time on very little salary. Yet everyone genuinely believes in the right to education and that is what keeping the learning process going in this corner of Assam.
