Shanti Bhavan is a non-sectarian institution that offers equal opportunity regardless of caste or gender. It targets children who have a reasonable chance for success based on their level of intelligence (average to above average). Children, enrolled from the age of four, live and study in a home-like setting with the care and comfort of house mothers, teachers, and staff in an environment of love and encouragement. The programs of Shanti Bhavan are based on a set of strong guiding principles:
Develop the Children Completely
The programs address the development of every aspect of a child’s personality -- his or her emotional development, mental and physical fitness, cognitive growth, and moral/ethical stature -- to enable them to become well rounded. The curriculum is well planned and executed with emphasis on individualized attention. The aim is to nurture talent and channel it in the direction that will be most beneficial for the child.
Foster Self-Esteem and Equality
The children live at Shanti Bhavan for the greater part of the year in a climate of love, warmth, and respect. In this home away from home, they receive individualized attention from dedicated, sensitive, and supportive staff. The staff are rigorously trained to work with children at different stages of their lives and are qualified to handle problems in an understanding and non-judgmental way.
Instill a Sense of Social Justice and Ethics
We strive to convey certain principles and concepts to the children with the hope that they become good citizens of society and the world. The universal values that we emphasize are honesty, integrity, and responsibility; we regard these values are integral for succeeding in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. We also want the children to become wholesome, conscientious, and compassionate people who will serve as role models for others through their actions.
Ignite the Intellect
The children of Shanti Bhavan receive hands-on learning experiences to develop their curiosity. They are encouraged to ask questions, to be active learners and critical thinkers. They often discuss and debate local/global events and their effects. This is in keeping with our goal to help our children become future leaders of society and to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in life and excel in their chosen fields.
Create a current of change to break the cycle of poverty:
Empowered by the skills Shanti Bhavan provides, the children return to their families as educators and decision makers, often serving as the lone literate member of the household. They are active symbols of hope, creating awareness of the possibilities that lie beyond the confines of their caste. Their families are thus emboldened to
break out of the cycle of poverty.
Provide a clean, safe environment:
The physical setting is conducive to growth with adequate space, comfortable rooms and amenities. Staff and children are in close proximity to each other at all times. From nourishing meals and clean clothing (remove comma) to their first toothbrushes and teddy bears, all of the children’s needs are addressed. The staff focuses on developing a close relationship with the children to foster trust, confidence, and happiness.
We are already witnessing the fruits of our labor in the children’s behavior amongst themselves and toward others. Innumerable volunteer educators and professionals from throughout the world who have taught at Shanti Bhavan attest to the unique qualities and educational acumen of the children of Shanti Bhavan.
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