Mount Carmel School

The Shiksha Kendra was started in 1990 in the slums of R. K. Puram. Today it is housed in the Mount Carmel School building in Dwarka.

Student Strength	:	250
Classes	:	Nursery - Vlth
Staff	:	7
School Buses	:	2 + 1 R.T.V
Education Pattern	:	NCERT
Timings	:	9.00am. - 3.00p.m.
Extra Activity Periods	:	Audio Visual
		Art & Craft
		Indian Music
		Computers
		Library
Technical Training	:	Embroidery
		Cutting + Tailoring
		Presentation skills workshop

The Shiksha Kendra - In Their Own Words

Hello! My name's SHABA PARVEEN. I am nine years old. I live in Goyla Dairy Gaon. My father works as a mechanic in a workshop. My mother stays at home and looks after us. I have one younger brother. I study in Class IV in the Shiksha Kendra.

My day begins at 5.30 a.m. First of all, I help my mother to fill and store water. I then wash all the overnight utensils. After that I quickly have my bath and put on my uniform. I love my uniform. It has soft green and brown checks. My uniform makes me look like all the other children who come to Mount Carmel School. I wash my uniform very carefully each afternoon and hang it to dry on a hanger.

In school, my favourite subject is English. I know that today English is the language of communication the world over. Our teachers are strict but very kind. They always help me when I fall behind in my studies. Besides the regular lessons, I love the daily period of extra activities. My favourite activity period is the Audio-Visual period. We all sit spell-bound watching the fascinating world of animals and cartoon characters.

I am also learning Presentation Skills in the Creative Gift Wrapping Workshop. This gives me confidence and I can now present my skills to other children from all walks of life. School is fun!

Hello! My name is MOHIT. I am 10 years old. My father is a carpenter. My mother stays at home. I have a younger brother and sister. I study in Class V in the Shiksha Kendra.

I get up early at 5 a.m. I cook for all of us as my mother does not keep well. I can cook very tasty dal, vegetables and rice. After sweeping the floor I quickly have a bath and breakfast. I rush off to catch the school bus at 8.20 a.m. When the bus turns the corner and comes into view, its bright yellow colour spreads sunshine into my life. I hop on and share a seat with my friend. We sing, talk, yell and have lots of fun on the way to school.

When the bus turns into the school gates, I love to look at the beautiful flower filled garden. Our school is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. It is big, light and airy. It has gleaming corridors. I always look up at the building and make myself remember that I must make the most of this opportunity to learn and gain knowledge. I love all the subjects that I am taught in school. Most of all, I look forward to the computer period. I love to learn about computers. They give me a feeling of being in control. They do whatever I command!

Hello! My name is POOJA. I am 10 years old. I live in Bagh Dola Gaon. My father plies a rickshaw. My mother goes to cook food in two houses. I study in Class V in the Shiksha Kendra.

I get up at 4.30 a.m. My mother leaves the house very early for work. I sweep and mop the floor, tidy the house and wash the utensils. I then prepare breakfast and help my younger brother and sister to get ready for school. After breakfast, we all walk down to the school which is quite close-by. We start the day with assembly at 9 a.m. We sing our prayers and do stretching exercises. Then its off to class. I sit in the front row. My favourite subject is E.V.S. Before coming to school I never knew the world was such a big and fascinating place. In extra-activities, l look forward to the Library period. I love to lose myself in the world of storybook characters. Their world seems so exciting and beautiful that it makes me sad sometimes. My mother says that she will help me to study and become whatever my heart desires. I want to become a doctor. If that is too difficult, then I would like to become a teacher. I want to grow up quickly and start earning. I will look after my parents when they are old. One day, I will make my mother proud of me.

Hello! My name is MANSHEIKH. I am 11 years old. My father is a mason. My mother is construction labourer. I have two elder brothers. I study in Class II in the Shiksha Kendra.

I get up at 6 a.m. in the morning. I help my mother to fill and store water. After a quick bath I have my breakfast, pack my bag and rush off to the bus-stop. I joined school very late. Earlier, l just used to go with my mother to the construction site and play.

Now, I feel shy to be the oldest boy in the class. I study very hard in school. Even at home I revise my daily lessons. I hope to be promoted to a higher class soon. We have our break at 11.00 a.m. We say our prayers and are served milk with sprouts or a fruit. This keeps my tummy full till I get home in the afternoon. In extra activities I love the Art & Craft period. I love to draw and fill my pictures with bright colours. I like to draw pictures of aeroplanes. We see many planes flying overhead from our school garden everyday. I wonder how it is to sit inside one of them. My school has taught me the power of prayer. Now everyday I pray before going to bed. I want to change our lives. If l study hard l will become a big man. I want to become a pilot.

Despite their difficult circumstances, the children of the Shiksha Kendra are like other ordinary children. They are playful, mischievous, loving and they all have a bright spark hidden somewhere deep inside. All they need is an opportunity to prove themselves.

We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us as to how you can help to change the lives of these children.