Sponsored by
Waddesdon pupils' lesson in life with some of India's poorest
An Aylesbury Vale school has been selected to partner with a school in India.
Pupils from Waddesdon CofE School recently visited Trichy in South India as part of a three-year campaign being led by the Diocese of Oxford's education department to help Dalit children.
Dalits are the lowest levels of the Indian caste system, and many families in the caste live on less than half a dollar a day.
After visiting a similar area in South India a year ago, Waddesdon headteacher Peter Norman took a party of 12 sixth form students out to Trichy.
Mr Norman said: "We have made a particular commitment to an orphanage in Trichy, which is run by a registered charity in the UK.
"Dalits are the bottom of the caste system in India - also called the 'untouchables'.
"Not only are they orphans, but they are untouchables so the odds are stacked against them.
"Our students spent time in school with the children getting to know them.
"The Indian church is supporting their education in the English medium, which is important because it gives them an advantage and also a route to postgraduate education.
"The church is also teaching Dalit girls. It is groundbreaking work providing a high standard of education to girls. It was very inspirational.
"We have been raising funds to support the orphanage and I am planning another trip with another 12 students in October."
He also described a school for blind children in the church compound.
"The church takes in these very poor children and clothes and supports them.
"Their families simply can't afford to support a child with a disability," he said.
Project India is being run in partnership with the Diocese of Nandyal, and in particular their passionate and inspirational Bishop Lawrence.
Other schools in the Oxford Diocese are also working alongside Waddesdon in helping children have good life opportunities.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Champions Red Bull set to unveil Mark Webber’s new RB8
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: ‘Family row night before killing’
- Slipping and a sliding in the Bourg Walk boogie
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: Police criticised over ‘unfair’ interviews with ‘loving’ husband
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: ‘Blood found on husband’s shoes’
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Aylesbury
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
