LIVE CAMPAIGN
Gautama Buddha Free School
Gautama Buddha Free School provides children free education in a non-caste defined environment. Children of lower caste families learn English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science, Sanskrit and Social Studies at the school.
Located in Bakraur (Sujata Village) in Bodhgaya, Bihar - one of the poorest areas of India - the school serves four villages not reached by governmental organisations. The 2-hour afternoon programme runs daily, and needs support to continue to fund teacher salaries, supplies and rent for the classroom.
Discrimination against lower castes is a widespread problem in India. Alienation, social exclusion, and physical abuse pervade all levels of education, contributing to illiteracy and high drop-out rates. Gautama Buddha Free School is making an impact on the lives of children whose outcomes would otherwise be dictated at birth.
We are actively seeking your support to help Naresh raise funds for the children to learn in a non-caste defined school. Small and large contributions alike are invaluable (and tax deductible) and 100% of all donations go to Gautama Buddha Free School.
The Need
Bakraur has a very low standard of living. Many live in very basic conditions e.g. mud houses, and children are naked throughout the year as they can’t afford clothes.
Children are forced into work, like collecting rubbish or begging, to earn money for the family, at the expense of their education.
Those who do go to school, attend classes on the porch of an abandoned government building. During the monsoon season these are severely disrupted by the weather and cold temperatures.
The Ambition
Continue to provide free education, materials & supplies, and uniforms, including shoes.
Expand tutorial classes - these are held in villages and give students a greater depth of understanding. Going to the villages reaches children who cannot attend school - they may be working.
Provide vocational & handicraft training. Computer skills enable students to get jobs with government departments and handicraft skills enable a trade to be learned.
The Impact
Over 650 children have received education at the school
Aspiration’s are increased - children attend not only primary but also high school
Children’s health is improved through regular health check-ups.
They enjoy vastly increased life opportunities.
They model to others what is possible.
Learned skills enable self-sufficiency.
Learning a trade enables poor uneducated women to provide for their families.
How you can help
The simplest and most effective thing we can all do is to donate funds to Gautama Buddha Free School:
$50 Enables a health check-up for the students
$150 Provides school uniforms, books and a school bag for a child
$200 For one child to receive education for a year
Gautama Buddha Free School also requires support with:
Lease costs of the classroom
Purchasing a sewing machine and support women into business.
Unrestricted donations to develop further programmes.