Education for 100 street children in India

At AIC, we go to great lengths to celebrate events of national and international importance, as well as to take the children out and let them explore the world around them whenever possible. Our aim is to nurture awareness about current events and global issues and ensure our children have exposure to local/national history and culture, plus the opportunity to have fun and de-stress as children should! Recently, we took advantage of the brief lull that falls between the hustle and bustle of the Diwali/Christmas/New Year's holidays and the nose-to-the-grindstone exam period that begins in March to fit in some special fun.

On 27th February, we celebrated AIC's first annual Science Day across all grades. The students made interesting science projects, ranging from a homemade vacuum cleaner and a simulated volcano eruption to a model "green city" using basic materials available at home. The students put on an exhibition where they displayed their projects and spoke about different scientists and their discoveries. Parents, AIC teachers & program staff went through each project and listened attentively to explanations about the experiments and creations by the students.

Also this winter, AIC's pre-primary students and children in grades 1 to 3 visited a local amusement park called Appu Ghar. This trip was sponsored by FedEx, a courier and shipping services company. Volunteers from FedEx joined the children on the picnic and spent the day with them. Starting with a round of ice-breaking activities, the picnic involved many games and a drawing activity, which the children loved completing with their new pals from FedEx. In addition to games, the highlight of the picnic was the rides offered by Appu Ghar. Everyone got to enjoy not one, not two, but six rides in total. After a fun day, growling stomachs devoured a wonderful feast of pav bhaji. Before departing, the FedEx volunteers distributed first aid kits to the children as a parting gift. Suffice it to say, the children are still reminiscing about their fun-filled day at Appu Ghar! 

Around the same time, AIC students in grades 4 to 10 visited a local attraction known as Chauki Dhani, which is a recreation of a traditional Rajasthani village. The students loved experiencing Rajasthani culture and (especially!) food in the scenic setting. They also enjoyed a puppet show, a magic show and several rides in the park. They were accompanied by one of AIC's founding directors, Amber Wang, who was back visiting AIC after a number of years. When asked about her experience spending the day with AIC students, Amber replied, "I feel immense gratitude because the kids are thriving, from the youngest to oldest." 

Now that temperatures are heating up, AIC kids and staff are settling in for final exams and other end-of-year formalities - onward to summer!