Upcoming Events

Consider hearing our founder, Dr. Abraham George speak at the Kellogg India Business Conference or attending the Girls Who Rock concert in New York City. We are working hard to support the seniors as they prepare to go to college; they have come so far and your donations will ensure that their dreams of a college education come true! Thank you for your continued support for the Shanti Bhavan children.

Join us on Saturday, May 12th at the Kellogg School of Management for the 18th Kellogg India Business Conference. Dr. Abraham George, founder of Shanti Bhavan, will be a keynote speaker, and will speak on the topic, “India’s Challenges and New Solutions”. Param Uberoi of Pernord Ricard, Shantanu Prakash of Educomp Solutions Limited and others will be attendance to discuss the changing economic environment in India and the new horizons that abound.
Get your tickets today! http://kellogg.campusgroups.com/indiabusinessconference2012/about/

On May 18th, Internet Week New York will bring the crowds out to Gramercy Theatre for the third annual GIRLS WHO ROCK concert, featuring American Idol finalist Haley Rhinehart, “the lady with the ukulele” Jessica Latshaw, the hottest DJs – The Jane Doze – and Shin-B, among other surprises, including skyping in Shanti Bhavan students!

100% of ticket sales — literally, every penny, thanks to sponsor Umojawa! — will send two girls to college (through all of college), and help sponsor 13 more girls in primary and secondary school at Shanti Bhavan. You’ll be sponsoring Jancy, a senior at Shanti Bhavan going for her MBA this fall, to be the first in her family to graduate from college; Prathibha, an 11th-grader who plays the violin and dreams of seeing Venice one day; and 13 others you’ll meet along the way.

Music is universal. Education should be, too. Get your ticket today to rock out with us & She’s the First! http://gwr2012.eventbrite.com.

For more info, visit girlswhorock.org.

Study….study…study. It was the only word I could think of during the month of March. I was filled with a sea of emotions–love, encouragement, hope, anxiety, stress, fear and exhaustion. There was not a day when I didn’t wake up early and stay late to study. Luckily, encouragement from the whole school kept us moving forward and working hard. Special treats of chocolates and biscuits fueled our late night studies.

Although studying for the exams was a lot of effort, it made us feel like we had accomplished something special. Our hard work and diligence prepared us for the exams and helped us do well. Our senior class is proud of what we achieved in the past month, and we cannot wait to receive our scores and go off to college!

~~Saridha

We’ve been dreading this moment for a long, long time. I can’t believe that we will be graduating so soon! It is nearly impossible to prepare ourselves mentally for this new chapter in our lives, a life outside of Shanti Bhavan.

Fourteen years have gone by in the blink of an eye. While a part of us awaits the leap to college life, another part yearns to stay back at school. Every time I see my friends, housemothers, teacher and volunteers, it pains me to know that my time with them is nearing an end. I wish I could turn back the clock, and cherish all the wonderful memories all over again.

Even though we will be leaving Shanti Bhavan soon, time and distance will never separate us from our friends and the family at Shanti Bhavan.

~~Jancy

Thank You from Shanti Bhavan

As these students prepare to attend college, we are working hard to support them. Thanks to the generousassistance and kindness of our supporters, we have donations and pledges to cover the continuing college costs of the first two batches of students: more than $96,000! We just need a little more help to make sure we can send this year’s graduates to college–$38,000 for the entire class. They have come so far and your donations will ensure that their dreams of a college education come true!

Name: Rahul Balakrishnan

Grade: 8

Age: 13

Family Background: In my family I have a mother and no father. I am the only son so I have no brothers or sisters. My mother works in the cotton industry. I live in a village that is 4 kilometers from the big town Salem in Tamil Nadu.

Overcoming Challenges: One of my challenges was coming to Shanti Bhavan. It was a big challenge because it was like moving from one planet to another planet. I felt like an immigrant. It was tough because I didn’t know the language or the people and so I had to learn very quickly. This was a hard challenge for me.

Hobbies: My hobbies are to play soccer, draw Disney characters, listen to music and most of all play chess. I like to play chess because the moving of the coin and trying to win the battle against your enemy is very interesting. I also like making the plans to kill your enemy’s troops.

Favorite Memory at Shanti Bhavan: My favourite memory at Shanti Bhavan was when my first P.E teacher taught me how to play soccer. I thought this was cool because we got to dirty our legs and hands in the game. I love to play in the sand and kick the ball. My other best memory at S.B. was when I learned the alphabet and what words are made of what letters. My best letter was R because it stood for my name. Those were my two best memories at Shanti Bhavan.

Future Goals: My future goals are to become an aerospace engineer and a soccer player. I want to become an aerospace engineer because I want to see the world from above. I’ve already seen it from down below. When I go up to the clouds I will feel like I’m visiting God. Not only this, I want to become an aerospace engineer to increase the amount of airplanes in India. I want to make better ones which will use less petrol and will go to the farthest places.

If you’d like to sponsor Rahul, please click here!

Grade: X

Age: 16

Family Background: My family is from a village in Dharmapuri. My mother stays at home and works as a housewife. My father works in a textile shop. He earns money for the family. I have an older brother. He is in Grade XI and goes to a government school near our home.

Overcoming Challenges: The biggest challenge I have overcome is my Grade X board exams. I am happy that they are done and I am confident that I did well.

Favorite Shanti Bhavan Memory: My favorite Shanti Bhavan memory is the 2008 Shanti Bhavan School Day. I was in Grade VI at that time. There was a spectacular performance by the students and staff. Many volunteers from Broadway were also involved in the performance. I danced and sang in the choir with my friends and it was a truly fun and memorable day!

Hobbies: I enjoy playing the piano and listening to music. I love reading books and watching movies. I also like fixing electrical appliances.

Future Goals: When I grow up, I want to be a software engineer. I want to start a company of my own. I am going to help Shanti Bhavan and my family when I am successful.

If you’d like to sponsor Thangaraj, please click here!

Grade: V

Age: 11 Years Old

Family Background: A mother, a father, a younger sister, and myself. My mother is a teacher in a Government School, my father cooks food for all marriages, and my sister studies in a school and she is in IV grade.

Overcoming Challenges: On a math test I did very badly, but I got help from a friend and I got better at it. Now I score very high marks in math and in every other subject.

Hobbies: Skate, Read, Write and Study. I like skating because we can play different games on roller blades. I like reading because we can read interesting and adventurous stories. I like writing because we can write a story we just made up. Most of all I like studying because we can learn and play games based on the topic we are learning.

Favorite Shanti Bhavan Memory: Soccer Tournament because some of my friends and I got to watch the whole soccer game and we did not know it was time for lunch. When the games was over, we went and ate a lot of rice and kebab. One of the soccer players gave us chips and we thanked him and ate it and we went to sleep.

Future Goals: Become an engineer and build houses and give money to the poor so they can get educated like us. They can even sometimes come here too. It is not okay to have only some people get educated so that’s why I want to give them money.

If you’d like to sponsor Praveen, please click here!

Grade: 9

Age: 14

Family Background: My mom’s name is Kamala. She makes incense sticks. My brother’s name is Naveen. He is 16 years old and works as an electrician. My dad’s name is Ravi. He passed away when I was two years old. Without my dad, life had become very difficult at home. Because of this, my mom sent me to Shanti Bhavan. The school brought color into my life. I had hope after I came to Shanti Bhavan. Today, my mom and brother live with my aunt (my mom’s younger sister) and my uncle who help them if they need anything.

Overcoming Challenges: One challenge I overcame was when I came to Shanti Bhavan for the first time. Although I liked school, it was difficult for me to stay away from my family. But, I knew that if I stayed at Shanti Bhavan, I could become a great person one day and help my family with their problems. Because of this, I made up my mind to never leave school. I started making friends. Slowly, Shanti Bhavan was no longer only a school. It became my home. Hobbies: I like to play the cello, dance, read storybooks, watch movies, go cycling and hang out with friends. I also like to draw. I enjoy drawing both pictures and designs.

Favorite Memory at Shanti Bhavan: One of my favorite memories was when I went trick-or-treating with my classmates in the 8th grade. We went to the teacher’s quarters where we had to perform to receive our treats. Later, we walked to the guesthouse, there was a table filled with candy from which we could take as much as we wanted. The volunteers had planned a scary haunted house. It gave us nightmares for weeks. This was the best Halloween I ever had.

Another of my favorite memories at SB was the first graduation. The girls of the graduating class wore beautiful saris. The boys wore coats and suits. Everyone (teachers, children, aunties, and volunteers) arranged a performance for them. Everyone was excited because it was the first graduation from Shanti Bhavan ever. Although we were sad because the graduating batch was leaving us, we were comforted with the thought that they would be coming back.

Future Goals: I want to be a scientist someday because I like to discover new things. I find chemistry very interesting. I might also want to become a doctor because I like helping people. I enjoy drawing so I would like to be an artist as well.

On March 17th, 2012, a storm is going to hit the Windy City. Hosted by Tufaan Entertainment in its second year, Tufaan 2012 is the only Filmi/Fusion dance competition in the Midwest! Tufaan Entertainment is a student-led non-profit entertainment company aiming to raise awareness of South Asian culture in the US and promote education through the arts abroad. Dance is an integral part of South Asian culture and it is a great way for South Asian youth in America to connect with their roots. Tufaan 2012 will showcase the talent of such youth to inspire an interest in the South Asian arts in a wide audience. Education in the arts, such as dance, is essential for a child’s holistic development, which is why Tufaan Entertainment supports Shanti Bhavan! All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Shanti Bhavan. Check outwww.tufaanentertainment.com for tickets!

Full Name: Hannah Mercy Albert Babu

Grade: 7

Age: 12

Family Background: My family comes from a very poor background. My mom’s mom was one of ten children. My mom’s family and my dad’s family made an arrangement for their marriage. They had five children: my three sisters, my brother and me. My sister Angel Veronica is the oldest. Then my brother Immanuel Joshua, me, my sister Thabitha Shammah and last but not least my younger sister Olivah Krislyn. We value our things because our parents work hard to give us food and clothes. They work to keep us alive and have things they didn’t growing up so we can live happily. 

Overcoming Challenges: The largest challenge I ever overcame was coming to the 7^th grade. In 6^th grade we were given monthly and term exams. I was told if I passed these tests I would get to go to the 7^th grade. An exam for each subject?! I thought that was really scary and didn’t know what to do. But with my elders’ help I knew that there was nothing to fear. I wrote my exams and my marks were top grades. Right then I told myself that I had to believe in what I did. So, I believed and now I am in the 7^th grade!

Hobbies: My favorite hobby is to read books. It is one thing no one can stop me from. I learn more from reading and with the help of teachers I improve. I also love dancing salsa, singing melodies and rock music, and playing the piano. I am good at the piano and I can also play the violin. I like to write poems and short stories when I am free. I base them on my feelings, thoughts and moods.

Favorite Shanti Bhavan Memory: Here at Shanti Bhavan I find that my memories come and go. Jumping and playing with bubbles two years ago can come straight back to you. People leave but always come back so memories are circular. One favorite memory I have is of my first birthday at Shanti Bhavan. I stood in front of the school at assembly. Everyone stood and sang two songs for me. My eyes flickered to Miss Beena; she was smiling. Then I looked to Dr. George and he too was smiling. Then I knew that I would be safe and sound at Shanti Bhavan. The smiles from everyone’s face showed that I would be all right.

Future Goals: I don’t like thinking of the future. It makes me nervous and I perspire. But still my future goals are to become an archaeologist or a doctor, specifically a cardiologist. I have always wondered why people die. As I grew, I learned a lot about dying, the heart and veins etc. So I made up my mind to study the main point of life—the heart—and become a cardiologist. I want to save people from the brink of going away and to hold back tears of the people who love them. I want the world to be happy.

If you’d like to sponsor Hannah Mercy, please click here!

Child of the Week: Prasanth Kumar Reddy

Age: 8

Grade: 3^rd

Family: My father was a driver of cars but he left when I was four. My mother is a live-in maid for someone’s house. I come from Bangalore. I have a brother named Prince who is 16 years old. He will graduate soon.

Overcoming Challenges: When I was not listening to instructions, not learning and playing properly in class, my mother and teacher made me realize that it was wrong. I decided that I must behave better and learn well. Now I am a good student.

Hobbies: I like to play games like soccer and go skating. I like reading storybooks, playing computer games, and drawing. When I am home my favorite cartoon to watch is Ben 10 on Cartoon Network.

Favorite Memories at Shanti Bhavan: In first grade my favorite memory is drawing. Second grade I liked spelling games like hangman and watching movies in class. Science activities are my favorite part of third grade. Science is my favorite subject to learn. In the dorms I like games, bedtime story, playing with toys, having a clean dorm and nice teacher.

Grade: 6

Age: 11

Family Background: My father makes rubber sheets from goat skins. I have two sisters. Yamuna is the eldest and is 18 years old. Ganga is 14 years old. My elder sister makes food for us at home. She makes yummy chapatti, tomato chutney and lemon rice. I’m from Thiruppatur. I take 4 buses to get home from Shanti Bhavan and it takes over six hours.

Overcoming Challenges: Sometimes I get bullied by my classmates. They tease me for different things. Sometimes I am very sad so I don’t talk to anyone. But then when they come to know I am sad my classmates are very kind to me and apologize. Math and physical science are also very big challenges for me. I feel that if I work harder I will do better in math and physical science.

Hobbies: I like to watch Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel at home. I like to jump rope. I like to sweep floors. I like to hear music. I like to cycle. I also like to draw and put mehendi on my friends. When I am at school I like to make cards and play soccer and basketball.

Favorite Memory at Shanti Bhavan: My favorite memory is the time I was told I was Child of the Week and given these questions to fill out. I was so speechless. Also, when it was Dr. George’s birthday and everyone gave him red roses. Another favorite memory is the time I got 100% on my history monthly exam. It made me very happy and proud.

Future Goals: I want to be a doctor when I grow up because I never become sick—many people do and they need help. I want to build a low-cost hospital called Care Agency. My whole class is planning to make this. Some people like Janani and Vijay want to become architects and build the hospital. Soundariya wants to become a prime minister and donate money. The rest of my class is going to study hard and become doctors in our hospital called Care Agency.

Grade: Kindergarten

Family Background: I am from Bangalore. My dad works in the slippers (cobbler) and my mom she works in a house for a family.

Hobbies: I like to color. I like to write ABC and 123.

Future Goals: I want to be a teacher.

Favorite thing about Shanti Bhavan: I like to learn. I like to write.

Favorite Holiday: Diwali

Favorite Animal: Gorilla

Favorite Food: Masala dosa, beet root

Favorite Treat: Dairy milk stick ice cream

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Shape: Circle

Favorite Cartoon: Chota Bheem