Do Slumthing’s efforts on the ground in India centre around providing education and pastoral care to underprivileged children in and around Jaipur, India. Our lead teacher and social activist, Shahadat Ali, founded two schools, Parva School – atop a municipal rubbish tip – in 2010 and the Zindagi Foundation in Harmada in 2022.
With the support of the Do Slumthing team, two further schools were created: one called ‘Under the Bridge’,beneath a motorway flyover in the City Centre, and the other in Kishan Bagh. All of these schools aim to empower children by teaching them English alongside their native Hindi, believing that English proficiency will improve their chances of employment and further education.
While Parva has a brick building with amenities like electricity and a concrete floor, our facilities elsewhere are much more basic. Since inception Shahadat has taught Harmada’s tribal community children in two separate locations a couple of streets apart – one half enjoyed a rented room measuring 12 x 12 feet ; the other half weren’t so fortunate as they had to be taught in the street.
Under the Bridge relies on a crude shelter of corrugated iron and plastic sheeting we constructed for RS 6,000 (£60) whereas in Kishan Bagh we rent yet another small room.
In November 2023 we purchased via our local charity partner, Lok Seva Sangam, a small semi-derelict house within the Harmada settlement. A month later we acquired the similar sized and equally derelict building next door. Notwithstanding our health and safety concerns teachers and children moved in immediately, as even a derelict building is better than holding lessons in the street. Almost a year later we’ve demolished and started construction of a two-storey school with not just five separate classrooms, but a main multi-purpose meeting hall, toilets, kitchen, storeroom and even an administrative office.
Many thanks Simon. You and your team may not make the TV News tonight but your work is surely much appreciated by those you serve!