Educate Forty Village Children in Bodhgaya, India

For the first time, students of Elsa Primary School have uniforms - a pleasant schema of yellow, white and brown! Wearing the uniforms will increase a sense of unity, identity and pride in the school. 

The students received their uniforms on return to school after the recent long summer break. Temperatures were extreme during the hot season - as high as 46'. For this reason, the Bihar government extended school and college holidays by a week. This is a regular occurence each hot season and also during the wet and cold seasons when extreme weather conditions necessitates closure of schools, colleges & other institutions.

During April, there were a couple of milestones for Elsa Primary School. 

The first was the school entering its ninth year of providing education for children in and around Bodhgaya, Bihar. In its new location, Karmoni village, the school has been warmly welcomed by parents and students.

The second was the 95th birthday of the school's patron, Mrs Elsa Lalchere of Australia. This was celebrated by the students with a birthday cake, sweets and drinks (provided by Mrs Lalchere). The 'party' was very much appreciated by the students with all having a good time.

May Elsa Primary School and Mrs Elsa Lalchere share many more milestones!

Over the last 12 months, there has been an increasing number of Elsa Primary School students from the village of Karmoni, 15 km from Bodhgaya. Now 75% of students are from that village. At the end of 2018, their parents petitioned Kusala Projects for the school to be relocated there..

Subsequently, the parents offered a building in Karmoni with three classrooms, a kitchen, a toilet and an open roof (useful for classes in winter time). This is far superior to the old location where two classes were held in one room. Thus, Kusala Projects agreed to relocation, which took place a few days ago. Due to the deadline of this GlobalGiving report, the photos below look a bit bare as desks & furniture had not yet arrived from the previous location.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of Elsa Primary School! We will need your help again in 2019 to continue offering education to these village children. Soon, I will send you information about a GlobalGiving fund raising campaign which will take place in early April.

Recently, I was in Bodhgaya and visited Elsa Primary School. As always, it was joyful to spend time with the students. I sat in on various classes and participated in their meal break.

The forty students range in age from five to thirteen. Thus, there are two classes divided according to age - with desks facing in different directions for each class. The older students are taught by the principal, Shahab, and the younger students by the lady teacher, Sarita. Also, there is a young university student volunteer who is helping teach the younger students and prepare meals. 

The students are very enthusiastic about Elsa Primary School. Thank you to everyone for providing this educational opportunity for these children ♥

Independence Day occurs on 15th August each year in India. It commemorates India's breaking away from 200 years of British colonial rule. The independence movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, the most revered person in modern Indian history. Throughout the country, government organizations, schools and colleges conduct flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural events.

The flag raising ceremony is a proud tradition at Elsa Primary School, with the students participating in decorating the ground and erecting the flag pole. The Indian national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' is sung as the flag is raised. After the ceremony, delicious local sweetmeats are distributed amongst the students.