Science Wins Young Hearts in India

We’re back from India!  The experience was powerful.  Travel to our final destination on the southeast coast took 30 consecutive hours by jet, propellor plane and, lastly, car, but the weather was kind to us — at least for the first three days. Then, we had a downpour from a nearby cyclone and when the sun came out, the world turned into a steam bath.  My body blew up in reaction — my feet would only fit into one pair of sandals and I had headaches almost every day — but we were there to do a job, so I pushed through it and went to work.

Touching the Untouchables
We touched the lives of literally thousands of Untouchable students and teachers, some of who traveled from miles away to attend this 3-day science fair produced annually by an American team from Southern California.

Exploring Energy
Our theme this year was Energy, so we used 21 full-color banners and hands-on demonstrations to introduce students to ten different forms of energy such as sound, electricity, light, nuclear, and thermal.

Cool Exhibits
Highlights included a walk-through atom (complete with a glowing nucleus, spinning electrons, fog, and sound effects), a laser show room (again with fog and exciting music), and three zip lines so they could experience first-hand the power of gravitational and kinetic energy. Of course, the zip lines were the most popular!  In India, teaching is mostly theoretical, so they especially enjoyed all the hands-on demonstrations we brought.

Village School Projects 

Fourteen area schools also mounted their science exhibits. Together with a Swiss team of colleagues, we got to judge and  honor the best ones with prizes.  It was hard!  Some of the work was just outstanding, so we made sure every team got recognized for something.

A Sincere Appreciation

Education is highly valued in India as it is the lifeline out of the oppressive poverty and discrimination that 200 million Untouchables experience every day.

Unforgettable

The discipline, dedication, intelligence, and creativity of these young students was impressive, humbling — and unforgettable.

Difficult Circumstances
We had little time for sightseeing, but what we did observe revealed a dusty, degraded environment, overcrowded cities and crippling poverty.  Camels and bulls strolled congested streets unfazed by beeping scooters and cars while Bollywood’s glamorous stars gazed down from the heights billboards at every corner.  Life appeared especially harsh and oppressive for women and children.

Kind and Gracious People
A Our team worked tirelessly and beautifully together making the experience so positive.  The Indian people we met also could not have been more gracious and their kindness really touched our hearts.

We pray, if asked, that they might say the same about us.

For more information, please click here:  http://hope-for-people.org