St. Thomas’ School
By Mary Jorgenson
On our second day in India, we visited St. Thomas’ School in New Delhi. The Diocese of New Delhi (Church of North India) operates the school for girls. Students greeted us, and marked our foreheads with a traditional tilak, adding rice as a symbol of prosperity. The tilak mark is a Hindu ritual, but is recognized in the Christian community as a cultural rather than religious tradition. We were led to the school’s auditorium by students dancing in regional attire. The students continued their welcome with provincial dances, singing and an overview of their school’s mission.
In a country where literacy is 37 percent (and only 17 percent for women), the school (K–12) stands out in its effort to provide a thorough education for young girls. In addition to standards in language and mathematics, the school boasts and extensive computer and science program. Additionally, the school requires students to participate in regular community service activities. The faculty recognizes that their students have been given an extraordinary opportunity and have an obligation to give back to others. Students in grade 12 must spend a week in a rural village, so that they experience the life and culture of India’s majority.
The school also offers education and vocational classes to special needs students and to nontraditional students. These students are provided with life skill classes and/or training in beauty culture, Mehndi art, jewelry making and computer literacy.
Through the support of the diocese, the school is able to offer scholarships for many of its students.
The visit to the school was our first opportunity to visit with women working to make a difference in their community. The school’s website offers a powerful statement to their intent: “Measure a nation’s progress not in terms of its GDP or its might as a global power, measure it rather on the parameter of its woman power. The statistics revealing the number of educated, financially independent, self reliant women, making informed choices, enjoying parity with their male counterparts, it not only a reflection but a true picture of the might of a nation.”
Mary traveled to India in October 2011 with Presbyterian Women’s Global Exchange.
Invite the participant from your synod to your next event to share more insights from this life-changing trip.
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