To Provide Education for Needy Children in INDIA

   In December, the terminal tests period came on. Since we started the grade-based teaching, it seemed that the students understood deeper. So they looked up for the tests, what is more, after the examination, Christmas party and winter vacation coming.

     For 5 days from December 29^th, the 7^th ‘Study Tour’ was held. In Japan it was also during winter vacation, seventeen people in all including not college students but some of adults took part. In this tour, we stayed in Varanasi at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, on the other days we went to world heritage site and famous museum in Delhi and Agra. On the end of the year, Japanese volunteers and student played Kabaddi, a national sport of India. We chose up Japanese team and Indian team, and played match. The result was a win for Indian. On the day of the beginning, we played “Hukuwarai”, a game like ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ played by families on New Year's days in Japan.The students wearing blindfolds enjoyed making faces counting on supports from their surroundings.

     In February, the thermometer goes over 20 degrees in Varanasi in the daytime, it is quite warm. The days are hot and the nights are cold, so colds were spreading.In the first week, “the Matsuis” traveling around the world stopped by MBS. They are a little famous family featured by Japanese popular TV program. Mrs. Kana Matsui (mother), Hina and Sora (sisters) taught us some English songs with the dance moves. Macchan (father) is a worldwide performer of calligraphy. He did it in front of the students. He stared students’ eyes deciding what to write and then wrote at a heat. We were overcome by his soul and moved. We were taught that we should cherish the connections with others and smiles produce lots of fine things.

• Lots of Japanese volunteers visited MBS (PDF)
  

     From 19^th to 23^th September, we held the 6^th“Study Tour.” All of 16 participants with various kinds of ages and occupations visited “Mother Baby School” for two days.

     First day, we made a tour by ship on the Ganges. The students had lunch made by their mother, while the participants had one made by our local staff, Hiroyo. We got into the boat, and then introduced ourselves. Surprisingly, all participants used Hindi, which made the students very pleased. We had a good time so friendly that we couldn’t think we had knew each other on the very day.

     The next day, we made Dango, traditional Japanese sweet rice dumplings. The students and the participants worked together to cut dough with a mold or make anime-characters. It was a first time for the students to eat Dango, and looked delicious the way they ate it.

     October is a tasting time. Students are unhappy during the period, but it is very important for teachers to confirm the degree to which students comprehend. We told students to review completely home every day, and when someone didn’t do his or her homework, rebuked harshly. Indian schools educate very strictly, and still corporal punishment is inflicted, which will be a real problem in Japanese schools. Parents ask teachers to beat their children when they go to school without doing their homework. However, Mother Baby School aims to make the students comprehend without punishment. On the other hand, Teachers in Indian schools give lessons at the cleverest student’s pace, but in Mother Baby School, we carry out the classes after all the students understand. When someone cannot get it, we give his or her an assignment and teach until he or her understands. By doing so, going to school only has meaning when they are able to understand.

     For one week, all the students did their best to get as high score as possible. As a result of the test, we draft the curriculum after this.