Joy in the Kindergarten with Francesca
Newsletter February 2026
Dear friends of our Shanti Ananda School!
First of all, I wish you a happy, healthy and joyful 2026!
Today I'm giving you insights into the work of Francesca Federico, who has been working with us as a volunteer since August 2025 and has already made herself indispensable.
Yours, Helga Shanti Fründt
Our volunteer Francesca is doing an excellent job as a teacher (English Phonetics), enriching the daily lives of the kindergarten children in particular.
Previously, she only worked with the Upper Kindergarten class, but she has recently started teaching the Lower Kindergarten class as well; our teachers had specifically asked her to do so.
Francesca with Kindergarten teacher Anasuya
Francesca is friendly and loving, dedicated, and very creative.
Recently, she made a game for each individual child, for which she collected approximately 250 (!) toilet paper rolls from friends and acquaintances, cut them up, painted them, and glued them into (donated) egg cartons.
The skill-based game created in this way aims to maneuver a marble through eight stages into a target by balancing the box – without touching the marble, of course.
The children are thrilled and have learned to master the fine motoric skills surprisingly quickly...
Francesca and Anasuya in the UKG with the games
In addition, she (as a native speaker – she's Australian) leads an English Conversation Group for the teaching staff to improve and refine their spoken English.
I also participate in this group; it's effective and a lot of fun. Each session focuses on a new topic chosen by the teachers – so the group is also very educational on a substantive level..
English Conversation Group in the guest house
Francesca writes about herself:
„My name is Francesca and I am born in Australia... From a very early age I was quite responsible I loved and cared for children. Children hold a beautiful innocent and much potential.
Three girls of Francesca’s Kindergarten class
I found that with the right words and understanding children can blossom into being themselves as their confidence grows. I get a lot of joy being around children. They are the future. I see children are full of potential and I try to help them discover their own potential.
A small example, but powerful for the child:
A 5-year-old boy in my kindergarten class is shorter than the other boys. He was quiet, shy and didn't seem to have much self-esteem/confidence he wouldn't talk much or mix much with the other boys.
I had the class stand in a circle as they caught and threw the ball to each other. This little boy would always miss catching the ball, he seemed not to know how to catch it or more to the point didn't have the confidence to put his hands out to catch the ball...
I went to him and asked the boy who was throwing the ball if he would try to help the little boy catch the ball. This boy was tall and the ball kept going over the top of the little boys head.
So I stepped in and showed the little boy how to hold his hands and to watch the ball. I threw the ball into his hands and he was so surprised because he caught it. Then I gently threw it again and he put his hands out and caught it again...
He gave me the biggest smile as he turned around looking at the others boys with a look of. I caught the ball... I was so thrilled he was able to catch the ball... His confidence suddenly bust out and he joined in with the others boys and they were happy to have him play.
The other boys kept encouraging him to play and be part of the group. It was so beautiful to see he brought his confidence out and became one of the group playing with them and not feeling left out. Something so simple and yet so powerful for the beautiful young boy. “
A small example, but powerful for the child:
I try to keep things simple for the children. I have traveled to various countries around the world and worked as a nanny.
All children need love, understanding, and the right upbringing, and then they will grow into wonderful adults.
Hand prints of the kindergarten children
I have worked as a volunteer in an orphanage in India for a few years. Where the children had been through awful and unimaginable experiences.
Some were withdrawn and some were angry and some cut off their feelings and caused problems to get attention and of course there were ones who were well adjusted and happy to be there.
I like to connect with people’s hearts when I'm with them and especially if they are hurt. I would try to talk to each child at their level and have love and compassion in my words.
I respected each one of them and found I could get through to the children with gentleness, understanding, fun and also the right discipline. The children grew to respect me and love me.
Playing on the area
Children are lotus flowers waiting to open up and blossom to the beauty that they are...
For me hearing Children's happy laughter is a great joy. Children's laughter is the best music in the world and makes me very happy.
I enjoy so much working as a volunteer at Shanthi Ananda Education Society School. It is easy to see the care and love the children receive.
It is so clear to see the children are happy and full of life. The team of teachers and administrators works so well together in this school and the children's interests are their primary focus."
So, now you've had a little glimpse into Francesca's work in kindergarten!
Warmest greetings from India,
Yours Helga Shanti Fründt
Francesca on the veranda of the Guestehous
with Herbert, Raja and Chandra (f. r. t. l.)
Contact
Shanti Ananda School Website
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: UBIN0818542
German Donation Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Anahata Stiftung, Munich, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
BLZ: 700 205 00
IBAN: DE72700205003751241124
BIC: BFSWDE33MUE