On March 24, 2020, Prime Minister Modi made an announcement that India’s 1.3 billion people would begin a 21-day total lockdown. This lockdown required all schools to be closed and for students to return to their homes.
Schools in Padhar and in the surrounding areas (Mission Primary and Secondary School, Happy Valley English School, School and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind, Ebenezer English Medium School, and St. Mark School) are closed with hopes of opening at the beginning of the new school year. Unfortunately, students were unable to complete their 10th and 12th exams before lockdown, but the government would like those exams to begin soon in anticipation of the new school year beginning around July/August.
Schools in Paratwada (Felix Convent School and Panchsheel Ashram School) are also closed and all students are home. Students in 12th class completed their exams before the lockdown order, but one 10th exam was not completed. The state government is waiving the remaining 10th exam, so that students will move into the next grade around July/August.
The reopening date of each school is uncertain.
What does that mean for us?
This lockdown is not convenient, but it happened at the end of the school year in India and when the schools reopen, it will be the beginning of a new school year. 10th and 12th class may need to finish their exams from the 2019-2020 year, but the schools will eventually reopen. When they do, they will need our help.
Our fundraising support will be needed more than ever, and therefore our Board of Directors is developing new ways of virtual fundraising: ways that do not require in-person contact, but still connect us with the communities we support in rural India. Coming soon will be a virtual Art Auction, a sale of products from India and our Student Sponsorship campaign.
We need you. They need us.