Summer Camps For Village Kids
The month of May was a month of happenings for Village
Action. Every two days, over 50 children jumbled into AVARC
(Auroville Village Action Resource Centre) for summer camp.
There were nine camps in all and each camp was conducted
by people from Auroville and neighbouring villages who led
the children in special techniques and skills. There was
one camp on painting, another on drama, another on story-telling,
clay & craft work, dancing, singing and sports.
During one of the camps a local doctor was called to give
the children some practical information about health, hygiene
and medicinal plants.
In another camp children were taken to Post-Office, Police-Station,
Bank, Court and other Public Service Departments to show
them how things work in India. They were also taken to visit
different places in Auroville. They were very much impressed
by the Matrimandir and were really happy to know about many
new things that are happening in Auroville.
At the end of the camp AVAG's co-ordinator Jerald Moris
asked the children whether they would like to be a Postman,
a Policeman, a Banker, a lawyer or an Aurovilian if they
had a choice. Few showed interest in other jobs but to the
surprise of all, almost every child wanted to stay and work
in Auroville.
It was heartening to see that despite the scorching heat
children were full of energy and enthusiasm all through
the summer camps. It was a golden opportunity for them to
do all the things that they longed to do and they did not
want to miss out on anything.
The Summer Camps are a part of the PEP program in which
Village Action Development Workers visit twice weekly 30
village schools in the area, and engage the children in
joyful ways of learning. To know more about PEP contact
avag@auroville.org.in for this year's annual report.
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