Holiday Newsletter June 2022
Dear friends of our little school!
After a challenging school year (due to lockdown second homeschooling and the site being partially flooded in November), we are enjoying our well-deserved summer vacation.
Messages from the Shanti (peace) Ananda (bliss) School come into this crazy world as a student’s image and a desire to build a temple on the school grounds.
Reflections on the Spirit of education and a newspaper article complete this newsletter in new design, made by our volunteer Karl from Austria.
Your Helga Shanti Fründt
Out of the darkness into the light
Peace Painting
Peace grows from the heart tree
This vibrant and highly-energetic water color painting was created by D. Vasundarabai, a former 7th grader, during project week. The branches of the tree form the shape of three hearts, nested inside each other like the Matryoshka 'doll within a doll', with the crowning glory of the word 'Peace'. Out of the darkness into the light and to the peace - which is supreme and grows from the love of nature - on the inner and then on the outer level ...
Vasundarabai illustrates our philosophy with her image: 'Shanti Ananda' (peace & bliss) are favored and promoted by focusing on nature. Humans - as part of nature - need them to feel happy and fulfilled. Especially in the current tense situation in the world this picture is a memorable beacon...
Temple School Campus
At the farewell party of the former 7th class – who left the school – there was a surprise:
The teenagers had collected 1000 INR (Indian rupees, approx. 12 €) for a temple on their own initiative! They had come up with this idea themselves because they missed a temple on the school grounds and wanted to give the impetus to build one... So this heartfelt donation was the initial spark for planning a small temple, which will be the final touch for our architecture ...
7th class handing over their donation
After purchasing the site in 2010, according to Indian tradition, a temple was part of the considerations. Due to financial and time restrictions, this project has not yet been implemented; but now we want to take action together with teachers, children, parents and the community. Headmaster Raja Sekhar has relevant experience: together with his spiritual 'colleagues', with the help of local donations, he has realized a stately Shiva temple, which after 20 years of construction is almost complete...
Education and Spirit
Nowadays, the education system grabs more and more of the children and dominates their whole life. After attending all-day school, homework has to be done; In the evening many children also receive 'tuition' (private tutoring); there is hardly any free time. Most children spend their childhood in institutions indoors and have little opportunity to be in other places and outside in the open air.
In addition, there is the ever earlier separation from the parents and caregivers, which is promoted by the state education system and has devastating effects on the psyche. Here in India there is an alarming number of suicides by young people who can no longer bear their lives due to the strong pressure to perform at school and in society...
"In the 21st century, the most pressing question from children and young people will be: Is there a (meaningful) LIFE advancing death?" says Michael Hueter, childhood researcher:
He wrote the book CHILDHOOD 6.7, a "story of childhood... and a passionate plea and manifesto for a humane and "species-appropriate" growing up of children, for a new appreciation of family socialization and for complete educational freedom."
Nature Day „Fire“ 2021
We at the Shanti Ananda Nature School strive to meet the elementary needs of children (bonding and individuation/development) as far as possible. The connection to teachers and employees is close; and it is favored by the timetable. The individuation of the children is promoted by our pedagogical orientation. The timetable includes 50% sporting and creative content; If possible, one teacher takes up entirely care of the morning and also one of the afternoon in order to promote the bond between children and teachers.
The feedback from the former seventh graders is interesting in this context. Everyone emphasizes the good relationship with the teaching staff and the variety of content on offer here; Above all, they praise the beautiful school grounds with the diverse nature... An example should illustrate this:
Newspaper Article
The EENADU (popular newspaper in the state of Andhra Pradesh) published on April 4th 2022an Article about me, the 'woman in the background'. It tells how I came to India, how I came to be responsible for this school and how the project developed. I myself reported from my point of view in the Special Newsletter in 2011... If you are interested in the translation, please contact me.
Dear Friends!
Thank you very much!
I wish you a nice and happy summer and holiday.
We are all very grateful for your loyalty!
Your Helga Shanti Fründt
Contact
Shanti Ananda School Website
For donation
Shanti Ananda School on Facebook
Donation Accounts
FCRA account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
40043801956
IFSC: SBIN0000691
General Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Andhra Bank, Mudigubba Branch
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
185410100193769
IFSC: ANDB0001854