Saphara India College Trip

On Friday 5^th April 2024 a group of sixteen Year 3 BEd students from Stranmillis and St Mary’s University Colleges, along with two lecturing staff, Stuart Dickinson and Thomas Rogan, travelled to India for ten days with the charity Saphara. Over the last year the students from both colleges have jointly raised over £20,000 for the charity which helps to support children and young people living in extreme poverty. Every £100 raised funds a child’s educational journey for one academic year which pays for essentials such as school fees, uniforms, books and stationery.

The students had the opportunity to visit two schools which the charity has supported for many years, SNEHA School in Dehradun and Kaplani High School in Mussoorie; the former positioned very close to slum dwellings in an inner city setting and the latter 7,000 feet above sea level at the foothills of the Himalayas. In both schools the students jointly planned and delivered lessons together over the course of a week and it was a truly life changing experience to witness how the power of education has the ability to nurture, protect and empower children, who otherwise would have a much bleaker future. The students focused on a variety of themes, exploring different aspects of cultural differences between Ireland and India through story, music and dance. The students also had the opportunity to lead a whole school assembly at SNEHA school which centred around collaboration and friendship, which would emerge as two very important components of the experience as a whole for all participants. University staff also had the opportunity to lead on two different training sessions for the school staff focusing on pastoral care and pedagogy.

In Mussoorie, there was an opportunity to trek to the village of Kaplani to witness the life changing impact that Saphara fundraising has made to the lives of children and families living in a very remote environment. This included building and repair of homes and outbuildings which provides stability and safety for this very marginalised community and it was an absolute privilege to be welcomed into their homes while experiencing the pride they have for their own surroundings. At the beginning of the journey, the students had the opportunity to purchase Indian clothes and visit several areas of cultural significance including the Gandhi Museum in Delhi which was a very moving experience and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Before heading back home, the students travelled to Agra to experience the wondrous Taj Mahal which was truly awe inspiring and a moment in time that everyone will remember forever. Despite the heat, travelling and various different cultural challenges, this was a truly life changing experience for both staff and students, with the knowledge that working together for a common goal has made a huge difference to everyone concerned both here and in India.