no-longer-a-slumdog

winds of change
In addition, Dalit children who try to attend school usually
find it a painful experience. Biases against Dalits and OBCs are
often present in the classroom. They may be required to do tasks,
like cleaning the grounds, which other children don’t have to do.
There are still communities in which Dalits are not allowed
to attend the same schools where upper-caste children study.
And even where Dalits are allowed in, they will typically have
to sit in the back of the classroom and not participate in class
activities. They are often verbally abused and are more likely than
other children to receive corporal punishment. Teachers have
been known to say that Dalit pupils cannot learn unless they are
beaten. 3
If a low-caste pupil has trouble learning a school subject, they
don’t have anyone at home to help them. Most parents were not
allowed to go to school when they were young, so they themselves
cannot read or write. All of these factors work together to
discourage a student from persevering in their studies.
These are formidable obstacles to overcome, both economically
and socially. Gospel for Asia stepped out in faith to bring
education within the reach of these children in crisis. We didn’t
realize at the time how great an impact this would have on everyone
involved.
Encouraging Beginnings
One of our early attempts at running a school program was
among the Banjara tribe. The tribal leader personally asked me to
help educate their children. We were learning as we went, but the
Lord was faithful, and those first efforts were wildly successful.
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