Excellent education for 2500+ students in Chennai

Chennai received an unprecedented amount of rainfall during December leading to flooding in several regions. Our school communities were also hugely affected by the floods resulting in loss of homes, livelihood and in some cases, loss of family as well.

We have been so humbled by the incredible amount of support that we received from other cities and from our Teach for All Network as well. The phrase 'One Team, One Mission' truly came alive during this time.

During the days that Chennai lost power, telephone and internet connectivity, our Bengaluru team initiated and led on Flood Relief efforts for Chennai! They helped track our team to safety, sent us truck loads of supplies that they crowd-sourced from there to provide Chennai supplies in large-quantities. 

Our students from other cities wrote letters to those in Chennai with their thoughts and prayers for our city and people, reminding us that every experience is an opportunity for children to lead the way. Our students in CPS Pulianthope tried to cope with their memories of the Chennai Floods in the best way they could by drawing about the events that transpired. "I did not know what to do. Water took away everything", said Anitha, an 8 year old. Similarly, students needed an expression of their loss, of their helplessness. They needed to be listened to. Arts helped them get it out, paving way to make peace with the aftermath of the disaster. While some of their works showed how the floods trapped them, some others evoked gratitude for their safety.

The floods were indeed a reminder that nothing is forever, but it also served to reinforce the belief that things like compassion and humanity in the face of a catastrophe make a lasting impression!