Dave and I went to visit the all girls school in Purchuru, to learn first hand how the school operates and what initiatives will make the most sense for the school.  It was quite an amazing experience. All the children seem so bright and happy to receive an education, and the teachers are so very proud of the school and their students.  The girls come from poor families who normally cannot afford to pay for their children education.

The school has been running  on donations and noble intentions for the last 24 years. The school is is practically free for the students, they only collect a paltry 25 cents for the whole year from each student.  Few donors over the years have been sponsoring teachers fees, children's uniforms, children's books and other necessities for the school. One such distinguished gentleman is Mr.Venkateswarlu (Lu) in this photo with Dave and I.

He came to the aid of the school when it was about to be closed due to lack of funds and has been sponsoring $250 a month for the last 20 years. The teachers here only get paid about $30 a month, the teachers work there not for the money but for a greater cause to make sure the girls in the village have an education and better life. 

It was so heartening to see the girls in this school doing so well in education and sports.  The students get trained in a regional sport called "koko" and they having been winning state level tournaments for the last 15 years. About 75% of the girls here move on to higher education and some of the alumni are now engineers and doctors. Last year, one student, Danda Mounika scored a 94% on her 10th grade exams and was selected to a premier state run technical education college (a big deal). The whole school is so proud of her accomplishments and she has become an inspiration to all the other students.

Yes, little amounts go a long way in this school. 25 cents a year gets children education, books and clothes. $500 a month pays for the teachers fees and school maintenance. $2,000 will get the school a class room with concrete roof so the children don't get drenched when it rains.

Even if our initiatives can make a tiny difference to the lives and future of these children, we are game for it. 

-Rao

(Photos from our trip can be seen by clicking the butterfly image "Photo Gallery" on the left side of the Wibiya toolbar on the bottom of this screen.)