My first day of school

Ok, so not my first day at school ever, but my first day in an Indian school. Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit the special needs school where some of the SCH kids go, including Molly and Lilly. It was a really fascinating day and I enjoyed the opportunity to see what some of our children are learning and how they are taught. Some aspects of the school were fantastic. The verbal children are recieving a good education, the therapists seem to be excellent and the teachers were kind and really try their best with the kids. I wasn't happy with the quality of the education for the handful of very bright but non verbal children but that's a post for another day. 

During my visit to the school was the first time I have really been hit with the unfairness of what these children are living with. In the UK or America these children would all get an education. They would be in mainstream school, a special needs school where, most likely, there educational needs would be met,  or they would be homeschooled. I know that parents of special needs kids at home can spend long hours advocating for their child, fighting for what they deserve. The children here don't have that. They have amazing foster parents but they do not have the time to spend many hours advocating for their children to have access to things that may not even exist in India. It's just not fair.

I know that what they receive at SCH is a million times better than what they would get at the government orphanage. I am reminded of that every day when Tricia, who didn't talk, hug or make eye contact when she arrived a few months ago, yells 'good morning sister!' And throws her arms round my waist. I am reminded when Molly uses her communication book to tell me she feels sick or when we take the children to the park to play. It is a massive improvement but it's far from a perfect situation. 

I have seen the fantastic work of special needs schools in the UK. Children who here are deemed 'unteachable' here learn to read and write at home. My hope, for all these children, is that somehow they can receive the education they deserve.