Salaam Baalak Trust Refuge for Street Children in New Delhi, India
When I heard we would be visiting a famous shelter for street children on our first day in New Delhi, India, I pictured doing some tranquil arts and crafts projects, or reading a few good books with the kids. What I never expected was what actually occurred: a full-out dance party!
Our teacher group had started the day with an intense walking tour of the Paharganj neighborhood of New Delhi and we were in a pretty somber mood as we arrived at Salaam Baalak Trust: a respected network of shelters and resources for street children in New Delhi. The door creaked open and we trudged up the blue stairway.
Instead of exiting the stairs at the floor in which we could see a classroom, however, our guide kept climbing. Up and up we walked, until the last door was thrown open. What was this?! A dance party! "Though 80% of India is Hindu," our guide explained, "they are taking the opportunity to celebrate Christmas by dancing!" My brother didn't waste a moment in joining in.
"Eeeii!" screamed the children, rushing over to David's 6'7" frame as he whirled and twirled. Grins spread like glowing flames and the sun blazed through the thick white clouds and onto the Christmas decorations. Bollywood music blared... and we danced!
We took a short break from whirling to tour the school itself. Peruse these photos and tell me: What similarities and differences do you notice from your hometown school? Looking above, the element that most stands out to me is the frequency and participatory nature of "Cleaning of Center."
In America, we rarely ask students to clean beyond tidying what they mess up, themselves, but in both Salaam Baalak Trust and during my time teaching in Ghana, I saw a lovely emphasis on students helping with school chores.
In the next room was the main classroom in Salaam Baalak Trust. In fact, our wonderful guide had sat there, himself, as a child. He is one of the many success stories of the shelter, as its education and job training programs aim to integrate youth well into society.
Ok I must insert another photo here of my brother dancing, because it's too funny. That little kid's face is just adorable! Oh, and did I mention that this article ends with the best video ever? But you should read the rest of the article first before watching to be a good bunny.
Next, we examined the meal plan for the students in the home. It made us smile how different the foods are from ours in Boston... except for the apple and banana! Can you imagine if my school switched menus with Salaam Baalak Trust for a day? Hehe. "Ms. Marshall, what the heck does Chhole mean?? Where's the pizza?"
Gaze once again to the roof dancing. Notice the laundry drying on the fence, adding to the decor. And what about the exuberant boys? Isn't it neat (evidenced, too, in the second photo where one kid is trying to strangle another) how universal male horseplay is?
Now (before the amazing video), let's get practical. In fact, YOU could volunteer at Salaam Baalak Trust, and their website with more info is here if you are interested. This is what I found so heartening about the shelter: If you look below, you'll see how creative, practical, and 21st century the volunteer topics are.
In particular, "Multimedia" and "Marketing" stand out to me. In an era when American schools are slashing funding for the arts and barely doing technology, how phenomenal that a shelter for street children in India has this curriculum!
And now, the moment you have all been waiting for: The 1-minute video of my brother dancing with the children at the shelter!!!! Warning: the Bollywood music is partly drowned out by me laughing and shrieking in delight. Enjoy, and do leave comments!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Wow! Your brother really towers over those kids. I love how the one guy copied move he made. Beautiful photos, India is certainly colourful. I do love how often we broke out in dance while traveling in India. The kids just love to dance with you don't they?
Yes and yes!
That's why I love working with kids :) I'm in Cambodgia and these kids are amazingly sweet! I would love to volunteer in India as well
Tthey look like they're having a lot of fun! I work with non-profit orgs for children here in the Philippines as well, and the kids here also love dancing and showing off their moves. What a nice post!
I love this! One of the things I love most about traveling is how people and places constantly surprise you.
HAHAH! HILARIOUS
Aofie, I agree very much. The article and the video was interesting!
...and this is why I've stayed in teaching five times longer than expected. My chiquititos have helped me get a glimpse of Spanish life that would otherwise not have been possible!
That boy can get DOWN! :0
Fantactic Lillie!! Every one needs love and care and you gave most valueable thing-Your time. I wish I could be there. But I am not in Delhi..:(
Wonderful vibe in these photos and video! I can't wait for the rest of the India stories. But a few questions: Where are the girls? Did you see any classes? And most importantly, did you dance too?
Good questions, and glad you liked the vibe! This particular shelter is boys only. Salaam Baalak Trust also operates other shelters, at least one of which is all girls. We did not see any classes in action. And I did dance and it was fun! But I wasn't as good as my brother. :)
These kids have some sweet sweet moves
Don't they?! :)
As always, what a wonderful article and even most fantastic video....lol, love it. What a unique experience to share with your hubby and brother Lillie. Thank you for sharing your journey. ;)
Love these photos and those kids are adorable! :)
Wow! It looks like a great time was had by all! Thanks for sharing! :-)
Sounds like a great experience and your photos and video definitely capture the India I remember. So many smiling children!
Lillie, this is so wonderful. I loved having a glimpse into yet another corner of the world (thanks to your consistent efforts to share your travels with everyone).
Your brother is absolutely priceless, and I noticed that you can now refer to Colin as your husband (isn't that nice?).
The children at the shelter are so happy to celebrate with their guests -- so sweet. ...and their daily routine is so interesting to read -- plenty of cleaning that makes me feel I need to post a similar routine in my classroom!!
There really isn't much that's better in life than watching little kids have a good time:)
So true! Except in this case it's lots of little kids and one big man! :)
Wonderful that he brings joy to the shelter and for a portion of the day the kids can be transported.
All the arts have strong powers.
So true! I am happy that people are beginning to see that cutting the arts is a giant mistake. These kids show us one reason why!
I am pleased to see that at least in one country on this planet the male gender enjoys dancing!! And they do it well, too! ...Your brother must be quite fit to keep up with the kids (he probably just collapsed after you turned the video off). The shelter looks nice, the food chart looks de-li-cious and the daily schedule -starts at 5:30! I'm not gonna comment. Although, I think that's for most people the normal time to start their day in India, or am I wrong? Anyway, it's always good to read about projects like this - fantastic of you to visit and now spread the word (and of your brother to do the background dance support):)
In fact my bro danced about 30 minutes more before and after this video! :)