Disadvantaged children growing and learning in a safe and healthy environment


What Does Gordon Do?

Our purpose for coming to India is for Gordon to complete a one-year professional development leave from Brigham Young University. His work centers on teaching English as a second language, but he has also served as the director and principal for Peery Matriculation School for Rising Stars. The great relationships with our village and the leprosy colonies that house our students' parents and grandparents have been wonderful added benefits. Here are a few of the activities in which Gordon is involved.

Working on the school veranda, much cooler than the office


Raising the national flag on Independence Day, the anniversary of India's break with the British Empire on 15 August, 1947


Speaking as school director on Republic Day, commemorating the anniversary of the adoption of India's constitution on 26 January, 1950


Making new friends at a Hindu festival in Paranur leprosy colony


Presenting appreciation gifts to commemorate Teachers Day


Walking to school with friends


Relaxing with students Moorthy and Karthik


Calling on the village leadership. This woman is the president of the panchayat, or governing council for five villages. Her husband is the local leader of the state's largest political party.


Eating interesting food


Helping a village family find a school for their daughter with special needs. It was a sorrowful day when Gordon, a special educator, had to turn them away from our school for lack of appropriate services. But we were blessed to find a good place for her, and the future looks brighter.


Placing a brick at the groundbreaking for the school addition


Presenting well-deserved awards on our annual Sports Day


Working with a small group of lower-achieving students


Visiting friends in the village

5 comments:

LaPaube said...

Re: the first picture: it would be inconvenient to work without air conditioning, but it would be murder to have to work with only a 15" computer screen. I couldn't do it.

Ben and Summer said...

Wow. That lobster... yuck. Are those some kind of feelers or something? My idea of trying something new is to have beef instead of chicken. Also, I like the picture of you and Mom with the leaders of the 5 villages, and the one of you walking to school with the girls and hanging out with the two boys. Nice to not have the strict rules about not hugging etc. over there, huh? Especially since their parents aren't there.

Caleb said...

How much longer are you going to be in India for?

And I agree with Matty on the screen size...

Gordon and Vickie said...

Hi Caleb, nice to hear from you. We will be home by April 28 so I can teach Spring Term.

Mandy said...

I'm so excited for you! It looks awesome. The Sp. Ed. team at BYU will be lucky to have you back though!