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OMKARANANDA EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
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The Omkarananda Educational Society gives the
invaluable gift of education to those that need it most. Currently it sponsors
around 39 Primary and Junior High Schools in the remote villages of the Garhwal
Himalayas.
Students and well wishers of Patanjala
Yoga Kendra opened their hearts and requested Omkarananda Educational
Society to carry out a special project to further develop a school
called Omkarananda Shishu Shiksha Niketan, which is giving the poor
village community hope for future generation.
This school is situated 50 km north of
Rishikesh, at an altitude of 1300m, in a remote hill village Khadi,
where local farmers grow wheat and rice. Surrounded by the beautiful
Himalayan Mountains it has around 60 children and conducts classes from
Nursery Class up to Class V.
After visiting the school we felt that
the building needed renovation. Now the walls and floors have been
renovated, new tables have been provided and the front side of the
school has been covered so the children can sit outside during the classes.
Restoring the building, introducing uniforms
and adding some color to these small children's lives
might be simply taken as a visual, external change but has vast and
substantial meaning. This example of humanitarianism has brought a
breath of fresh air to these villagers’ lives and has put hope and optimism into
their hearts.
The community learns the lesson of
helping others selflessly while the students benefit from a more
comfortable and creative educational environment. The work done gives
them a chance to improve their academic achievements and future
prospects.
To see the children's shining eyes and happy smiles is
worth all the effort.
At present we are working to provide
the school with electricity, a school gate and a wall. Future plans
include providing the school with an extra room for computers, a toilet
and free uniforms for all students.
With people's good will we often receive
used garments, such as sweaters, jackets, trousers, gloves,
socks, caps, rain boots etc., which we distribute to the poor students
and their families for the cold season.
We are very thankful to all our
supporters. Since the new school year started in April the students have
greatly benefitted from
a surrounding that is much more conducive to their studies.
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