Barefoot School

Living in an atmosphere like they do, street children are very apprehensive about any change in their lifestyle. They need to be made comfortable with the idea that they are not unlike other children, that even they can avail of a fun-filled life provided they only make the effort to step into education. Regardless of their financial and social status, they will be given the freedom to voice their views on school systems and syllabus while being given a meaningful education in a free and enjoyable atmosphere.

We say children are our future, but only for the privileged ones, who go on to make a better living out of their beneficial surrounding, only the unlucky ones get left behind, deprived of the basic necessities essential for a standard living. These children can be found on the streets, slums, at traffic signals either begging or selling items. Some brave the harsh reality of their existence while some succumb to the vices of evil and are victims of their own wrongdoings, which degrade their lives to such an extent that they lose sense of their existence, which according to us is the most precious part of self. The growing up years is the time when we can inculcate values in the form of education in these deprived children. We sincerely believe that the underprivileged children should have an equal access to its rights on par with those of privileged ones. Though we do not claim to rectify their drastic situation fully, we seek to impart them with basic education, which they are generally deprived of inspite of governments various benefits to them. We want to educate these ignorant lives about facts, which they would definitely utilize it, when it comes to standing up for themselves. There are some children who want to learn, but doing that on an empty stomach is not possible, their time is spent on earning those pennies, which would fill their hungry stomach. They lose out on vital education being implemented for them and hence suffer, their ultimate task becomes only food, clothing, and shelter, they fail to realise the importance of education and lose faith in uplifting their standard of living. Our Fulora people will see to it that these deprived children make themselves self-efficient as well as self-independent, without having to suffer from lack of education. Apart from basic education, they will also learn handicrafts so as to make a living for their survival. Our motto for them will be:

These Children also have their own small world. These children hold tightly to all their belongings, they are afraid of learning all these things. To experience the suffocating moments becomes their habit that they do not even realise the decrease in the oxygen in their blood. They are so used to getting tortured all the time that if one day the intensity is less they do not feel at ease. This is their life. Not to move, not to laugh, not to speak, only lead a directed life, if not wrong then to be punished, accepting the light physical abuse, and also hide it, these innocent beings don’t know their inherent expressions as if they are expressionless human beings.

Small children take their own time to learn. To make them learn-force, fear, greed, or competition are non acceptable and are invisible in our terms of education them. They should learn in open and fresh environment, so we see to it that the children learn without any pressures and a healthy environment is sustained. We expect that these children by their heart take active part in every event. In the area which we start the School we expect full support from the residents of the area.

A meaningful education is what we seek to provide to the Children. In all this process of educating them, we make it sure that they enjoy it. We are very careful about their financial and social status. They are given freedom about expressing their thoughts regarding School systems, questions on the study syllabus, observation or critics, and lot of importance is given for the same. Our efforts are to remain in constant touch with these children. A selfsufficient, self-inspired student, individual should be born is what our main goal is. These children’s own involvement in learning, their freedom to learn at their own pace, education without any competition, same way the relationship of the teacher and the student which keeps the children safe mentally and physically and which helps us in our goal of rehabilitation of these children. While teaching them to speak fluently, we take care that their feelings do not get hurt. They should develop into an individual with each one having his own identity. In the development of a human being to absorb, the experiences and expressing them are the most important aspects. Hence, we try to prepare special and perfect study books along with the other required materials. Drawing & words, proper tuning, word introduction writing, the combination of these allow the children to learn the language. There will be some miscreant children who can create trouble for us and the other children, counseling would be given to such children. Such children have become so bitter as per se their situation, they are disillusioned by any betterment happening around them.

So along with Mr. Arun Sabnis and our team, eager to make a difference of these deprived children, we implement it, for this I would request many other people who really think, they can help to such a genuine cause are welcome to contribute.