We started this organization because we wanted to aid The D. F. Blind School in Calcutta after one of the founders of the organization was introduced to the director of the school in October of 2004. The school’s purpose is to educate, rehabilitate, and to integrate blind students in the regions of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar. We have provided over $150,000 to the school and have been able to complete the third floor girl’s dormitory, as well as purchase five plots of land to build a new school building.
After twenty-four hours of travel, we finally arrived in Calcutta, India – a world so different from anything we had ever known, we couldn't believe it took us only a day to get there. Waiting for us at the airport was Jabesh, the Director of the D. F. School for the Blind, as well as Abraham, our guide for the week. Their welcoming smiles, despite the early hour, set the mood for the rest of the trip and rejuvenated our spirits. Yes, we hadn't slept but suddenly it didn't matter. We had been given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of ninety-nine blind children.
After a quick nap, we were ready to begin our mission at the Divine Fellowship Blind School. As we rounded the corner to enter the school, we were suddenly filled with a feeling of anticipation. The perpetual smiles of the children and sheer joy, despite being blind in one of the most poverty stricken cities on earth, put everything into perspective. A welcoming ceremony had been prepared in our honor, filled with native Bengali songs and dances along with a presentation of hand-beaded necklaces and flowers. The students (ages 3-22) could not have been more thrilled with the chocolates, t-shirts and stuffed animals that we had brought along with us.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, NDTV, a national news broadcasting station in India, interviewed us about our project and what we intended to do to raise money. The following morning we awoke to see ourselves on TV! After breakfast, a man stopped us in the street and said that he recognized us from the news. He was very supportive of our efforts at the blind school. We couldn't believe that we were only in the country for 24 hours and had already made an impact!
Now, we were ready to witness the daily routines of the students. We were thoroughly impressed by their desire to learn and their complete self-sufficiency in all aspects of their lives. The school functions just like any other school, with classes ranging from geometry to geography. It was interesting to see how the loss of one sense greatly heightens the others. In geography class, they were studying India. The teacher had made a three-dimensional map (by placing string around its borders and cities) so that the students could differentiate between the regions of India. It was even amazing to see the instruction methods of the teachers, half of whom are blind themselves.
The school’s motto is made up of three components: Education, Rehabilitation and Integration. When its students leave the school, Jabesh wants them to be completely self-sufficient. One boy, Tarun, has been integrated into a general school in Calcutta where he is first in his class out of 100 other boys. Another girl, Mundi, studies English and hopes to become a school teacher one day. Manjum, a four year old, brings constant joy to the school with her perpetual smile and singing. It is students like these that have inspired us and as Tarun says, "Help us get our education.” Our first trip to Calcutta was a huge success and an experience that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
