Dear friends,

We are almost at the end of 2010 and it has been a great year for all of us at Shanti Bhavan! We’d like to share with you the exciting news and events of the last few months, so please sit back and take this journey with us as we bring you stories, photos and videos from the U.S. and India written by our supporters, volunteers and children.

Thank you once again for making 2010 an amazing year!

In this newsletter:

 

A Day (Un)like Any Other

This beautiful video was shot and created by Yazmany Arboleda, our artist-in-residence at Shanti Bhavan with the help of our gifted students. It captures a day in the lives of our 210 beautiful young boys and girls, their hopes and dreams, their work and play. Take this tour with them and see their excitement and joy, their fun and laughter, their drive and passion for the opportunity and education that your generous support has given them.

 

Two Special Days at Shanti Bhavan

Written by Natasha Khanna: Public Relations Coordinator and Volunteer at Shanti Bhavan.

Shanti Bhavan Celebrates Diwali

On November 5, 2010, Shanti Bhavan celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali, more commonly known throughout India as the “Festival of Lights.” The holiday was commemorated with a night filled with dance performances, excellent food, and the lighting of many candles and fireworks.

The 11th graders went above and beyond in decorating the campus, placing beautiful flowers and candles in the area behind the dining hall, as well as in the fountain on campus. Following arrival of the students and staff, as well as a few special guests from The Shanti Bhavan office in Bangalore and last year’s graduated students, a program began, with 12th grader Karthika as MC.

Karthika explained the multidimensional significance of Diwali, one that holds meaning for individuals from all backgrounds. The festival, meant to commemorate the triumph of good over evil and the return of the Lord Ram from exile, is celebrated at Shanti Bhavan each year, along with other religious holidays like Christmas and Eid, in keeping with the school’s nonsectarian structure.

The entertainment program consisted of a Bhangra, a traditional dance from the Northern state of Punjab, from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls, a classical Indian dance by Beena, from the school’s first batch of graduates, and a few other numbers, such as an impressive dance by the school’s highly regarded “hip hopper” trio.

The program concluded with the placing of floating candles in the school’s fountain pool and an hour of fireworks, including both rockets and handheld sparklers. Students, graduates, and staff then enjoyed a special meal, including delicious gulab jaman for dessert, as well as a lot of laughs before calling it an evening.

Shanti Bhavan Celebrates “Children’s Day”

On November 13, 2010, India’s national holiday of “Children’s Day,” teachers, volunteers, and housemothers showed their love for the children of Shanti Bhavan, putting on an astronomical 33 performances. The items included skits, dances, and songs, all created and rehearsed especially for the children of Shanti Bhavan.

Dances performed and songs sung spanned from Tamil to Hindi to English. Among the performances conducted was a re-write of the Beatles’ “8 Days A Week,” altered for volunteers to express their devotion to and care for the students of Shanti Bhavan. Dances spanned from Bhangra, from the state of Punjab, to Dhandia, from the state of Gujurat. The teachers performed an impressive group number to a famous Tamil song.

Children’s Day was “even better” this year said Gowtham, a 12th grade Shanti Bhavan student hoping to become an electrical engineer. “There was a lot of variety and good performances, as well as dances and good skits.”

Students received ice cream for lunch, which they ate while discussing the day’s numerous, entertaining performances.

Special thanks to the staff, teachers and volunteers of Shanti Bhavan.

 

Students Develop Their Musical Abilities

Written by Allegra Boggess: On-site Administrator and member of ASTEP.

The students at Shanti Bhavan have deepened their involvement in musical activities this year due to the varied skills and engaging energy of the volunteer community. Volunteers teach piano, guitar, violin, cello, voice, recorder, and choir (both beginning choir and an advanced choir). Students are chosen to participate in these extracurricular activities when they show a strong commitment to their academic work and achieve high grades. Currently, over 75 students are enrolled in music lessons.

6th grader Harish began playing piano last year and through his hard work and dedication he has now joined the advanced piano class and practices an hour every day. “Playing piano in the morning makes me feel free,” he says. “I hope to compose a piece one day.”

12th grader Arun has begun learning guitar this year. “I like it because it’s harder than piano. I really like music, and playing guitar is one way to express it,” he says.

12th grader Triveni damaged her left hand middle finger in a childhood accident. She now plays cello every day. “I like it because it gets my imperfect fingers to do something good,” she says. “I play the cello during the times I feel I need someone to talk to.”

The volunteers find these musical activities equally as rewarding to teach, “It’s exciting to see how much they remember from earlier trips when I’ve taught them. Collaborating with Michele Johnson, a volunteer who has been leading the choir in recent months, has been exciting because she’s had them singing more challenging material and they’re loving it!” says Mary-Mitchell, the founder of ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty) which partners with Shanti Bhavan.

All around campus, strains of Chopin, Bach, Beatles, and Broadway tunes can be heard. “It’s so wonderful to hear music throughout the day here,” says volunteer Natasha Khanna. “It’s inspiring.”

Special thanks to Mary-Mitchell Campbell, ASTEP and the talented artists and musicians they send to Shanti Bhavan each year.

 

“Turn Into” by Praveen, 11th grade

Tiny droplets turn into thundering floods

A tiny yowl of a cub turns into a terrible roar

Tiny bits of food turn into a yummy soup

A tiny bit of momentum turns into spectacular speed

A tiny spark turns into a magnificent fire

A tiny seed turns into a huge tree

A tiny bit of love

In a tiny infant

Can turn the world into a haven of peace

 

Dr. George Goes To Washington

Written by Rahul Madhavan: Program Manager, South Asia Studies, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.

Dr. George kindly agreed to come to Washington D.C. and speak at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and address a diverse audience of representatives from the World Bank, Department of Education, AED, Department of State, and other institutions, as well as a sizable contingent of former Shanti Bhavan volunteers based here in the Washington area. His talk was well received and he was able to delve into the complexities associated with managing a school like Shanti Bhavan.

The following day, Dr. George appeared on the tv program Image-In-Asian (see video below) where, addressing a general audience, he gave an overview of Shanti Bhavan’s mission, what challenges he faces in running the school, how people can help support the school, and what inspired him to begin and continue on this journey every day. He spoke about his joy at the successful graduation of Shanti Bhavan’s first class of students after 14 years, all of whom passed the ICSC examinations with either first class or distinction, and all of whom are now attending some of India’s best private and national colleges on merit rather than by a quota system. In the segment, Dr. George discussed the broad opportunities and the deep challenges he faces in running Shanti Bhavan, and why its 17 year commitment to each child is unique in the world.

Special thanks to Johns Hopkins SAIS and Image-In-Asian for hosting Dr. George.

 

Shanti Bhavan Celebrates With She’s The First

Written by Tammy Tibbets: President and Founder of She’s The First.

At She’s the First, one of our favorite mantras is “style and substance.” At the She’s the First Soiree, our first birthday benefit bash on November 1st in NYC at Pop Burger, the style was everywhere: a sparkly Bollywood number by Indian dancers iNfin8, designer fashions in a raffle, Asha Patel Designs leather ID bracelets (which donate part of the proceeds to Shanti Bhavan!), tunes by DJ Kalkutta, and guest appearances by recording artists Shontelle and Cara Salimando. Oh, not to mention an awesome photo booth that had some Shanti Bhavan male volunteers showing their more glamorous side!

As for the substance of the evening, it shined so brightly through Shanti Bhavan. Your wonderful organization has a gift for storytelling, especially through your passionate volunteers who have traveled to Shanti Bhavan to share their talents with the children. Your fun-spirited presence at the event, both those who attended in person and those who were there in spirit by letting us showcase photographs they had taken (Amarin White, Derek Etkin, Laura Chisum, Molly Huish, Natasha Khanna, Nilotpal Baruah). Most of all, we were all moved by Ajit George’s speech and the premiere of your first-class video about the Girls of Shanti Bhavan, directed by Yazmany Arboleda.

On behalf of She’s the First Executive Director Christen Brandt, myself, and the entire She’s the First leadership team, I am so proud to announce that we raised enough at the She’s the First Soiree to sponsor a girl for an entire year at Shanti Bhavan! We also built a budget for our ever-growing She’s the First*{Campus} network, which is sure to catalyze many more fundraisers in 2011 by young people who will further give back to Shanti Bhavan and the other She’s the First directory partners. In addition, some extra dollars will roll in this holiday season from the She’s the First bracelets Asha Patel Designs sells, to support Shanti Bhavan and the Kenya Education Fund, two partners that are very close to her heart, given her parents’ roots.

Thank you, Shanti Bhavan, for not only being role models to us in the not-for-profit sector…you are also friends. And for that, we are thankful – Happy Holidays, all!

Special thanks to Tammy Tibbets, Christen Brandt, She’s The First, Asha Patel Designs, Pop Burger, iNfin8 and DJ Kalkutta for making it a memorable night.

 

Help Shanti Bhavan Through The Holidays

All of what we’ve accomplished this year has only been possible through your support. But to finish 2010 strong and meet our goal of $100,000 by New Year’s, we need you to give us a helping hand. We’re more than half-way to our goal, so please take a moment to donate. A sponsorship for one of our bright and eager young boys or girls costs only $1,550 and will pay for their entire education, room, food, clothing, books, and medical needs for the entire year of 2011. A smaller gift of $50, $75 or $100 helps us buy much needed goods and supplies, teacher salaries, and water and electricity for the school. Even a $10 donation helps with pencils and paper, pillows and blankets. Every dollar is important and we can only succeed with your help!

Shanti Bhavan is the only school in the world that commits to 17 years of complete care for each of its students. From the age of 4, until they finish their college degrees, we provide for our children so that they can permanently break the cycle of poverty and go on to fulfill their dreams.

This holiday season, give the gift of love and hope and invest in their futures. It is a gift that will last a lifetime. donate to Shanti Bhavan

Best regards,

The Shanti Bhavan Team

http://www.shantibhavanonline.org