Last spring, Buddha Smile School received an invitation for their students to participate in an international poetry exchange called Poems for Peace founded by Lauri Hoffman Bunting, Idaho, USA. In March, 2009, Lauri visited Buddha’s Smile School and was inspired by the children to write “Tiny Gurus.” The student’s poems may be viewed at www.poemsforpeace.org.
School Updates
Photos: Marie-Jeanne’s knitting
Marie-Jeanne is a 94 years old French lady who knitted day and night so the kids at BSS could have warm winter jumpers. Here are a few of them, fitted. Thanks again Marie-Jeanne.
BSS Students Write Poems for Peace
Poems for Peace is a cultural exchange between youth worldwide.
The aim is for people to gain compassion for other ways of living and thinking and to transcend racial, religious, socioeconomic, physical and intellectual differences.
Participants are encouraged to contemplate the meaning of peace, where it abides, how it’s attained, how it’s destroyed and how as “peacemakers” they can contribute to world peace. The notion is that the poem is in the heart and can be expressed as a traditional poem, prayer, letter, story or illustration.
My Story by Helga Frech
Located on the outskirts of Varanasi is a small and simple school — Buddha’s Smile School. The space for the students is very restricted, and classrooms are of only 3 walls and a roof. In a confined area. Less than 200 m2. 220 Untouchables carry of their daily studies. They sit on small benches, and more…
Photos from Dana Kornberg
The performance by the kids on Sunday was awesome! The kids were so thrilled to be dressed up and performing on stage, and once they were done, were just BEAMING with pride.
L’Arche de Dolanji funds 220 meals daily
Toward the end of 2007 we were extremely worried that the children’s food funding was ending in February 2008 and that we hadn’t been able to find a sponsor. Then a miracle occurred:
Dalits in U.P. Face Hunger Deaths and Suicides
9 May, 2008: Dalits in U.P. Face Hunger Deaths and Suicides: When George Bush is admonishing India for eating too much, Dalits in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh face hunger deaths and suicides. Countercurrents.org | Read the Full Story |
Amistad Intl: A Benefit for Buddha’s Smile School
On June 7 and 13, Amistad International will be staging a special Concert and Art Auction in New York City for Buddha’s Smile School. Performers include a mix of world, jazz, rock, and contemporary classical musicians combines with an extensive group of well know artists.
Fourteen Students Graduate in 2008
2008 marks a momentous landmark for BSS. Our first batch of students graduate this year to Government secondary school and hopefully on to University. These 14 students, who could not read or write, now devote any time they can manage to their studies and have become role models for the younger students.