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Senthil had broken the school rules again: first he brought in a crab in a jar, then he disrupted the lesson by running around.
The teacher didn’t know what to do. But the school realised the misunderstanding was due to a clash of cultures.
Senthil [not his real name] had come from a tribal community in the forests of South India, where his life had been unfettered by schooling and other responsibilities. Now he was resident at a hostel supported by the Diocese of East Kerala and was attending the local school.
According to the Revd Jessie Anand, USPG’s Regional Desk Officer for South Asia: ‘Senthil had spent his life roaming around the forests, which are inhabited by herds of elephants. For most of the time his only companions were wild creatures and the spirits of his ancestors. It was such a different culture, it was no surprise that his teacher didn’t know how to handle him.’
The teacher needed to learn patience, while Senthil needed to get used to his new surroundings. After two months, he had settled in – and was starting to entertain his classmates with talents learned in the forest, such as firing a catapult and playing the drums and pipes.
Breaking the poverty cycle
Senthil is one of over 100 children currently benefiting from a Church of South India scheme – which receives funding from USPG (Project 501) – which is helping tribal families in East Kerala to break the poverty cycle.
Children from these families are given accommodation and a place at school in the hope that an education will give better job prospects in later life.
‘It is a wonderful scheme,’ said Jessie. ‘The children’s parents struggle to find work. Often they can only find employment in low-paid jobs, such as on tea estates or rubber plantations.’
Some of the tribal children stay in diocesan hostels, others lodge with local families. Integrating the children helps give both communities a broader and more tolerant outlook.
In the classroom, alongside reading and writing, the children have fun painting, making turtles out of coconut shells, and weaving bamboo mats. Inter-school art competitions are held which are known to boost the self-esteem of participants.
‘This is a very important work,’ said Jessie. ‘In some places, tribal peoples are facing discrimination from employers and the deforestation of their homelands, while their lack of local language means they often get cheated in deals.
‘But this initiative is promoting friendship between cultures and providing the next generation of tribal children with a vital education.’
Posted on 26.03.2010
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