Bows and Arrows

Today I went to Havillah School (the one I went to on Saturday for Teacher's Day) to help the teachers with ideas for clubs (Science Club, Hobby Club, Quiz & Literary Club, and Sports Club). They have a theme every month ("Landscapes" - Sept.), and 2 Saturdays a month the children will come to school and work on creating activities or projects for their club. I think the teachers are getting burnt out, though, because they are having a hard time being creative. And honestly they do not have a lot to work with - no internet or other research materials, besides the children's school books, and their craft supply is limited to this small shelf (although they did not even complain about it or ask me for money, etc):

The school's "Treasure Box": Craft supplies for the whole school (hundreds of children)

My first instinct is to buy them all the supplies they need. But sometimes that can stifle creativity, and it does not encourage students (or teachers) to use what is around them. So I want to encourage teachers to help the students figure out what resources they can use around them. I am excited to see what they come up with. I am also helping with "Games" (P.E.), so if you have any ideas for kids ages 5-14 besides Soccer and Cricket...I think they have those down pat...I'm up for suggestions!

Anyway, today I went to the school but it was closed because of a strike. Apparently it has been closed for 3 days. This strike does not block the road but only forces the schools to close. Trish told me that she read in the newspaper that some Adavassi people (tribe or caste of people) want better Hindi-medium teachers because apparently there are a lot of English-medium schools and teachers around this part of town. So they told the teachers and students that they would shoot them with bows and arrows.

I am not kidding.

BOWS and ARROWS.

I started laughing, but it's not a laughing matter for these people. It seems so crazy, but it's what they know and how some people think they can makes things "better." So please pray for these teachers' safety and their witness to the community around the school.

ps - I was able to talk with 2 teachers (single women in their 20s who live on the campus) for almost an hour. It was really great to connect with them...that's one of my favorite things here...connecting with Indians. I think it's because I wasn't sure if I would be able to. But God makes the seemingly impossible possible.