Organised a visit to a 'special school' in suburban Mumbai. Got directions and headed off from the Uni. Bus to 7 Bungaows, take a rickshaw left at the post office down Aram Nagar 2 Road and turn left at the Jumbo King, the Reach school being on the right. Just mapping out directions as it set up certain images in my mind, post office, some fast food joint, school.. Even after being here 3 weeks I keep getting caught out by these images. Of course heading to 7 bungalows (no bungalows in sight) along bumpy jam packed road lined with people living under tarp, sleeping on crates down both sides. Prostitutes touting for business at the intersection, along with beggars. No post office in sight, wait, what does that shacks sign say POST OFFICE. Down the track onto a very bumpy dirt road, loads of roaming dogs and couple of cows, round the lake like muddy puddles and what's that rickety shack say on a little poster? Jumbo King!! Further down this narrowing dirt track, there it is The tiny sign on a tiny little house, Reach. Ill get pics when I visit next week for Diwali festival morning tea. Sort of strange that you get in there having had your expectations suddenly realigned, and find that the place is seems to work like most things in India, works, but just a bit differently.
6 tiny classes of 6 kids separated by partitions with a teacher each from junior primary to final year. The private school is set up for kids with learning disabiliites who were not coping in mainstream. They get intense tuition, and either remain in school and visit or move to reach. Really nice teachers were working beautifully with the children who were obviously enjoying the place. A different model to any I know of in adelaide, most of the children plan to go on to University. Nice set up but not for the poor..
No comments:
Post a Comment