Last month, we visited the King's Kids School that was located at a Koya tribal village in Andhra Pradesh, India. The school was still under construction but it was already providing education to around 50 children from pre-school to grade 3. The school meant a lot to this tribal community because they were often neglected of support from the rest of society. This school even provided English-medium education (usually only offered in more expensive boarding schools), and nurtured them by Biblical values and truth.
After learning about their ambitions and needs, Light and Love Home decided to take part in this meaningful project.
Students during their science class. Photo by Violin Chan. Andhra Pradesh, India, 2012
The school had only started for a few months but we were very impressed how well-taught the children were. For example, when we gave each student a piece of candy, they didn't eat until I told the supervisor to let them. When the supervisor gave the command, they all happily unwrapped their candies and put them in their mouths at once. Nevertheless, these children didn't throw the wrapping paper onto the floor but instead, put them in their pockets and then discard them in garbage bins at a later time. To the people there, this is by no means an insignificant habit.
The children were all tidy and clean. Their faces were full of smiles. However, some of them were orphans or had single-parents and they lived in the dormitory attached to the school. Their rooms were not yet furnished and they could only sleep on the floor. Despite their background, they continued to smile and you would not notice any trace of sadness due to their past.
Photo by Violin Chan. Andhra Pradesh, India, 2012
Writing numbers in English on tiny chalkboards. Photo by Violin Chan. Andhra Pradesh, India, 2012
Bags and baskets of the children. Photo by Violin Chan. Andhra Pradesh, India, 2012
The bags that the children used were not brand named ones at all. In fact, they were simple baskets, just like their lifestyles. Practical yet not wasteful; this is also the goal of our charity services.
Koya部族的新希望
十一月探望印度Andhna Pradesh Koya部族的鄉村，參觀一所還在興建中的學校，這學校是他們的一個希望，因為他們的孩子可以上學，可以接受英語教育，並以聖經的真理培育他們的品格，引導他們成長。
光愛中心有份這有意義的「希望工程」，盡一分力支持。
孩子們在未建成的課室學習，開學也只是幾個月，但他們已學習得有規有矩。其中一件小事：看見那麼可愛的孩子，我每人分一塊糖果，他們拿著沒有吃，直到我向負責導師說一句。一聲吩咐，他們就開心地「行動」，但他們沒有隨手把糖紙丟在地上，而是放進口袋裡，這些習慣可不是小事。
孩子們都乾淨整齊，滿有笑容；但其實部份學生是住校的孤兒、單親孩子；他們的房子還未裝修好，床也沒有，但在他們的臉上，你沒有看見不幸，反而是一臉歡悅。
他們用的書包、籃子都不是名牌，卻實用，正如他們的生活，充實而不浪費，這也是我們慈惠服務的方向。