The summer heat has not been able to takes it’s toll on our children. They have been eagerly studying classical dance and music at a very intensive workshop since the 10th of May. The workshop was conducted by a group of four professionals from a music college in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
On the 10th all the secondary school kids auditioned and we short listed about 80 students. The most promising 51 of them were chosen and trained in three batches for singing and dance.
On the 25th we were able to see their enthralling performances for the whole school.
It was remarkable that these children could pick up so much in 2 brief weeks.
The children themselves have had so much fun  spending 3- 4 hours each day practicing in true Indian classical style with lots of dedication and  so much interest that they were begging the teachers not to leave.
There will be an encore performance by the kids for our annual day.
Refresher courses on what they have learnt will be held each week

Regular Odissi dance classes by a renowned teacher from Venu nad Kala Kendra in Vrindavan are also held everyday for a group of promising young girls.

Sewing classes are being conducted everyday at Sandipani Muni School. Two of the beneficiaries spoke to us about themselves.

Madhu’s husband took to the life of a mendicant and left her with their three children about 6 years ago. Madhu has worked at an ashram milking cows and cleaning their stalls and doing some cooking to support her children and herself. She is paid only Rs 500 for a full days work. However the ashram does give her meals and milk for the children and herself and occasionally clothes. All three children from the ages 11 to 7 study at SMS
 She joined the tailoring classes and was given a sewing machine by FFLV to supplement her income.

Last month FFLV also began to give her a stipend of Rs 1000, so that she could spend more time with her children.
Madhus’s three children study at SMS. She will complete her course in 6 weeks and will be able to make a better living for her and her kids.
Madhu comes in to SMS at 11 am and is here till 3 or 4 pm. She eats her meals here and attends both the sewing and adult education classes.

Laxmi just lost her eldest son in a tragic road accident. Dinesh was only 18. Three other children study at SMs and one more son’s fees are provided by FFLV for his study at another school in Vrindavan.
Laxmi was unable to come for two months as she was so distraught over the loss of her son. However she is back now; the classes are a good therapy for her and the other ladies in the class have been very supportive of her in this loss.

 Most of the ladies in the class have similar stories to tell. Many have been abandoned by their husbands or are young widows or then have too many children and what the husband brings in is not sufficient. Most of them are mothers of SMS students.

Tailoring classes are conducted in cutting embroidery and sewing by an experienced teacher Preeti Pal (Bed) who stresses greatly on good finishing.

 The ladies have learnt to sew the school children’s uniforms, curtains and bags as well as clothes for children. They will be able to make blouses for women and shirts and pants by the time the course is completed.

 The sewing classes are held in two batches of 32 and 37 students respectively.

 Adult education for 42 women (many of them are from the sewing classes) is also conducted. They learn basic math, alphabets and how to sign their names.
We hope to be able to institute a certified Adult Literacy program soon.