Educating the Girls of The Indian Thar Desert

Educating the Girls of the Indian Thar Desert

Dear Supporters

From July to September 2025, our Laadli and Sheerni Boarding Homes in Jodhpur have been buzzing with learning, growth, and celebration. The girls returned from summer holidays, welcomed new peers, and embraced academics, workshops, and cultural events with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Celebrations & Cultural Events

• Welcoming New Students: Laadli received 9 new girls and Sheerni transferred 3 girls. All were provided books, uniforms, and supplies.
• Festivals & Special Days: Rakshabandhan, Independence Day, Teachers’ Day, Hindi Divas, and Navratri were celebrated with joy, creativity, and participation.
• Visitor Engagement: Volunteers Emma, Martina, and guests from Japan and Chandigarh conducted workshops, donated books and gifts, and inspired the girls.
• Birthdays: Celebrations for students and House Mother Nirmala Kanwar brought joy and community spirit.

Academic Progress

• Laadli Boarding Home: Young students focused on foundational skills, while older students (6th–10th) advanced in mathematics, grammar, science, and board preparation.
• Sheerni Boarding Home: Girls achieved excellent results in unit tests and board exams. Senior students excelled in advanced subjects, while junior students strengthened core skills.
• Tutoring & Mentorship: Weekly revision tests, personalized attention, and peer mentoring helped improve learning outcomes.

Workshops & Life Skills

Key workshops included:

• Rainy Season Readiness: Safety and hygiene awareness.
• Biography of Ratan Tata: Lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship.
• Gender Awareness & Women Empowerment: Encouraging equality, confidence, and assertiveness.
• Self-Esteem & Self-Compassion: Mindfulness, personal growth, and self-respect.
• Fun Facts about Indian Law: Introduction to civic knowledge.
• Morals & Ethics: Understanding personal beliefs and societal rules.
• Phone Addiction Awareness: Encouraging responsible use of mobile devices.
• Domestic Violence Awareness: Understanding risks and protective strategies.
• Geography Lessons: Map reading, world facts, and interactive discussions.
• Discipline & Etiquette: Promoting self-control, respect, and socially acceptable behaviour.
• Self-Defence & Sewing Classes: Physical safety techniques including punches, kicks, and stretching, alongside practical skills in embroidery, pillow covers, and kurta stitching.

Health & Well-being

• Minor seasonal illnesses were treated promptly by nursing staff.
• Activities like dance, yoga, meditation, and self-defense supported physical and mental wellness.

Challenges

• Full capacity at Laadli required transfers of some students to Sheerni.
• Certain students needed extra academic support.
• Adjustment to new tutors and seasonal health issues required monitoring.

Achievements & Recognition

• Awards for academic performance: Jaswanti and Kiran.
• Leadership roles: Sandhya and Kavita as class representatives.
• Birthday celebrations, cultural participation, and visitor engagement strengthened community and morale.

Success Stories

• Pushpa (Laadli) – An 8-year-old Pakistani refugee thriving in academics, drawing, and dance.
• Vidhya (Sheerni) – A 10-year-old aspiring doctor and teacher, showing significant improvement in reading and academics.
• Aarvi (Sheerni) – A 2nd grader aiming to become an Army Officer, excelling in studies, self-defense, and extracurriculars.
• Guddi (Laadli) – A 15-year-old student showing remarkable dedication and resilience, excelling academically and socially.

Gratitude & Impact

The July–September quarter has been a period of academic achievement, skill development, and personal growth. Your support enables us to provide education, mentorship, life skills, and a safe environment, helping these girls pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.

Thank you for being a part of their journey.

Warm regards,
Sambhali Trust