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News & Photos
Visit to India Inspires Students
Six upper school students, accompanied by Spanish teacher Amanda Alonso-Valenteen and wellness program coordinator Michelle Kriebel, traveled to India over spring break to visit the all-girls Pardada Pardadi Vocational School in the impoverished, rural Ganges Valley. This was the second trip by students since McDonogh formed a partnership with Pardada Pardadi in 2007.
The students’ experience, summarized below, is the impetus behind the Celebrate India Benefit that is happening at McDonogh on Friday, May 6 to help Pardada Pardadi School. Read more about the event.
The living conditions in the rural region of India were shocking to the American students. “To see how little they had and the conditions they live in was astonishing,” said senior Nicole M. “Houses have dirt floors and drapes for doors. Many rooms do not have roofs. They don’t even have toilets.”
While the students were overwhelmed by the poverty, they were also inspired by the positive attitude and ambitions of the young girls. “Even though some of the people in India had little to nothing, they were still happy and took pride in what they had, while in America we take most things for granted,” said Meghan C. ’13.
Justine F. ’13 added, “They love going to school, which is a bit different than here in America, and they want to learn and to become empowered.”
Benefactor Virender (Sam) Singh opened Pardada Pardadi School in 2000 to educate girls, with the intent of elevating their position in the rural society. Students attend academic classes in the morning and learn sewing and embroidery in the afternoon.
While visiting Pardada Pardadi, McDonogh students attended assemblies and during free time taught their new friends American games, such as Simon Says and Duck, Duck Goose.
“They were so welcoming and thankful for everything we did with them, whether it was playing a game or teaching them English. The smiles on their faces and the sounds of their voices will be etched into my heart forever,” shared Allison F. ’13.
Kriebel and Alonso-Valenteen were proud of the McDonogh students. “They were very good and rolling with the punches and not making it about themselves, but keeping the bigger picture in mind,” said Kriebel. Their mission was to help, and they delivered school supplies, books, games, balls, and trendy American gadgets like Silly Bands to Pardada Pardadi.
During a farewell assembly, the Indian students sang “We Shall Overcome” in English. “It was so powerful. We were all in tears,” said Nicole. “We have to do more to help them. The Celebrate India Benefit on Friday, May 6 is a perfect way to share some of the culture we experienced, while raising money to help overcome poverty in India.”
Other highlights of the trip to India included sightseeing in Delhi, visiting the Taj Mahal, and a boat ride on the Ganges River.
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Six upper school students, accompanied by Spanish teacher Amanda Alonso-Valenteen and wellness program coordinator Michelle Kriebel, traveled to India over spring break to visit the all-girls Pardada Pardadi Vocational School in the impoverished, rural Ganges Valley. This was the second trip by students since McDonogh formed a partnership with Pardada Pardadi in 2007.
The students’ experience, summarized below, is the impetus behind the Celebrate India Benefit that is happening at McDonogh on Friday, May 6 to help Pardada Pardadi School. Read more about the event.
The living conditions in the rural region of India were shocking to the American students. “To see how little they had and the conditions they live in was astonishing,” said senior Nicole M. “Houses have dirt floors and drapes for doors. Many rooms do not have roofs. They don’t even have toilets.”
While the students were overwhelmed by the poverty, they were also inspired by the positive attitude and ambitions of the young girls. “Even though some of the people in India had little to nothing, they were still happy and took pride in what they had, while in America we take most things for granted,” said Meghan C. ’13.
Justine F. ’13 added, “They love going to school, which is a bit different than here in America, and they want to learn and to become empowered.”
Benefactor Virender (Sam) Singh opened Pardada Pardadi School in 2000 to educate girls, with the intent of elevating their position in the rural society. Students attend academic classes in the morning and learn sewing and embroidery in the afternoon.
While visiting Pardada Pardadi, McDonogh students attended assemblies and during free time taught their new friends American games, such as Simon Says and Duck, Duck Goose.
“They were so welcoming and thankful for everything we did with them, whether it was playing a game or teaching them English. The smiles on their faces and the sounds of their voices will be etched into my heart forever,” shared Allison F. ’13.
Kriebel and Alonso-Valenteen were proud of the McDonogh students. “They were very good and rolling with the punches and not making it about themselves, but keeping the bigger picture in mind,” said Kriebel. Their mission was to help, and they delivered school supplies, books, games, balls, and trendy American gadgets like Silly Bands to Pardada Pardadi.
During a farewell assembly, the Indian students sang “We Shall Overcome” in English. “It was so powerful. We were all in tears,” said Nicole. “We have to do more to help them. The Celebrate India Benefit on Friday, May 6 is a perfect way to share some of the culture we experienced, while raising money to help overcome poverty in India.”
Other highlights of the trip to India included sightseeing in Delhi, visiting the Taj Mahal, and a boat ride on the Ganges River.