A photo diary of community activities at VIDYA Mumbai, 2005/2006 - Alice Piggott

A photo diary of community activities at VIDYA Mumbai, 2005/2006 - Alice Piggott

kids from PhuleNagar These are kids from PhuleNagar (the slum adjacent to IIT Bombay campus) where VIDYA holds classes every morning from 8.45 - 11. These kids all live in the slum and go to government school, but appreciate the lessons and organised activities in addition to their classes. Jen brought some picture books with her, one entitled "The loudest roar in the jungle," which we read to the kids one Friday and I had some finger puppets we used to illustrate the story. They were totally taken with the puppets, and all wanted to have a go making the appropriate animal noises!

Rangoli made by the children for the Dussera festiva The building where we taught was really a community space, and as such was used for celebrations for all the festivals. The rangoli in this picture was made by the children for the Dussera festival. On these occasions the ladies and children who were VIDYA students would bring food and get all dressed up.

Some of the VIDYA students These are some of the VIDYA students in front of the community building at Dussera.

A rangoli that made just before Diwali This was a rangoli that we made just before Diwali, at our friend's house. KB is the other VIDYA teacher in PhuleNagar and teaches Hindi and Marathi literacy to women and children. She was a great friend to us the whole time we were in India and even tried to teach us to cook, although was terrified that we were going to chop our fingers off! We made the rangoli by rubbing mus paste onto the floor outside her front door, then drizzling coloured powder onto the mud where it stuck, creating a pattern.

Masks of ducks, dogs, sheep and cows which the kids decorated themselves with Every year VIDYA holds an "Annual Day" where all the students and participants in VIDYA activities are invited to perform. This is a celebration of the VIDYA family, as well as an opportunity to show sponsors and supporters what VIDYA has achieved. This year Jen and I taught our students from PhuleNagar "Old MacDonald" which involved me writing out the song transliterated into Hindi! Seeing as some of the kids write Hindi about as well as I do, it caused some problems and much hilarity! We made masks of ducks, dogs, sheep and cows which the kids all decorated themselves, using far more glitter than was really necessary, but they all got carried away.

Mehendi In the New Year we went round to KB's house when her beautician was there, and we had mehendi done. It took about an hour and was the most mesmerizing process to watch as the pattern grew and evolved on your skin. The kids were all delighted that we were looking so "Indian" and everyone in the VIDYA office was very admiring.

Dancing at the New Year party This picture shows Shadhna (left) and Sandhya dancing at the New Year party we had at the PhuleNagar school. They were dressed up in mini sarees for the occasion and looking gorgeous, singing and dancing away to Bollywood classics.

VIDYA students enjoying the New Year festivities This shows more VIDYA students enjoying the New Year festivities.

The musicians beat a steady rhythm

Taking turns to dance

Two of the ladies showed the kids how it's meant to be done! Once the children had had some fun, they were sent off home with little treats, and it was time for the ladies to have their turn. The musicians (right) beat a steady rhythm and lead singing, while ladies took it in turns to dance.