As you know i'm recently back from teaching in India!

The Slum school provided free education to children from the surrounding areas which were paid for by the volunteers who pay £100 a week to be there in addition to public donations (like this!). The difference between being uneducated and educated can make a world of difference, as education can be a direct route out of poverty.

Your money would help a student from the Slum school transition to public (equivalent of our private school) or continue the public education of a slum child. This costs £100 per child/per year which includes uniform, books, stationary and transport. I would be able to give the money directly to the source for where it is most needed and later show you the child you sponsored.

The slum school in Faridabad was where I worked. The ages of the children I taught were quite mixed but all were of primary school age. My youngest was 6 and oldest 11. Like when I taught in Africa, I was exposed to the grassroots realities of India’s education system - some of the nation’s most under-resourced and underprivileged schools. At the Slum School, the children were crowded in small classrooms where some had no room to walk, just sit. The school area was about the size of an average downstairs western house. However, they were using donations to expand. It was very noisy and cramped but there was a great sense of community - a positive environment within a place so difficult.

I went for just under a month with a view to support the growing community to advocate for change. Additionally, I went out to share with the staff some interventions and teaching methods. Seeing the conditions which people have to live, work and go to school I think was a big shock for all of us. It really instilled that children here really needed this education to break free from the hold of absolute poverty.

For more information visit The PMGY Foundation. http://www.planmygapyear.co.uk/pmgy-foundation

Thank you,
Laura x