📗 Building Skills and Community at MA Nagar School

Building Skills and Community

at MA Nagar School

In this newsletter, we want to share with you a few more personal stories of individuals whose lives have been impacted and made better thanks to the schools we have adopted – all in the name of building skills and a sense of community.

Renuka is the Aaya at MA Nagar. She resides on the MA Nagar Campus with her husband and children and, together, they are in charge of keeping the grounds and building safe and clean. A boundary wall and gate keep stray animals from entering and define the area where children line up for class or play during recess.

It is also the job of the Aaya and Watchman to nurture the trees that have been planted. Renuka has become part of the local community by attending our Literacy Class for adults. Renuka started by learning the Telegu alphabet and – in the photo – she is proudly showing that she can now write out her full address!

Literacy Lessons

Renuka is shown here with her children (who attend MA Nagar School) and Jackie during her last trip to India in October. The family of five have a room on the School Campus that is their home with access to clean water.

Literacy lessons for adults are held after school and the children of those who attend the literacy class play in the school yard or sit quietly in the classroom doing homework.

Sewing Lessons

After reading and writing skills, the ladies turn to their sewing lessons. Renuka sewed the outfits she and her daughters are wearing (shown centered above). They make their own patterns, with each lady supplying her own materials. The room goes from quiet discussion of letters, numbers, words and sentences to giggling chatter about fabric and design. The two teachers are pictured directly in front of Jackie. In blue is Bindu’s mother – Aligati Lavanya – who is our sewing teacher, and in pink is Sotia, the Literacy teacher. Big thanks and congratulations to these dedicated, patient and fun teachers!

Practicing Dance for Festival

When reading and sewing lessons are over, the ladies adjourn outside to dance! They are practicing in anticipation of celebrating the upcoming “Bathukamma Festival”.

For the actual festival (which celebrates the inherent relationship between Earth, Water and the Human Beings), flowers will be placed in the center of the dance circle.

Ladies Enjoy Fashion Show

During Jackie's last visit in October, they brainstormed the possibility of adding a “fashion show” to our next Annual Day. The ladies were all rather shy about it, but willingly played along by showing off their beautiful handmade saris and “walking down the runway”. The joy of reading mastery, the pride in making one’s own clothing and the fun of dancing together made this a very special day that Jackie will never forget!

MA Nagar School updates

The MA Nagar School – where all the previous photos and stories come from – was adopted by Carnevali Foundation in 2019 and has expanded in size over time. A Pre School with playground (not shown here) was added to the left side of the main building. It has its own dedicated toilet, fence and gate. Mothers needing lactation supplies enjoy a separate entrance.

Sanitary Food Preparation

A mid-day meal is provided to everyone with funding from the Education Office. Children eagerly line up, are given a plate and wait to be served by the kitchen staff, who get the chance to get everything ready in a clean and sanitary space. Second servings are encouraged.

Yet another small gesture that makes a big difference.