If you’ve seen Daughters of Destiny, you might recall that for the first 10 years, Shanti Bhavan was funded by my father, Dr. Abraham George. He took on the responsibility to ensure that every child had what they needed. Since then, you all have stepped forward to help us on that most important mission.
As we embark on our newest chapter, the opening of a second school, I’ve had some time to reflect on our work: what went well, where we struggled, and how we can do better.
Facing the challenges of two schools
Operating two schools brings challenges well beyond funding. At Shanti Bhavan 1, we’ve spent 27 years refining our systems, building a robust academic environment, and setting high standards of care for our children. Now, our critical task is to ensure that Shanti Bhavan 2 meets those same high standards. That includes:
- Standards of excellence: New teachers at Shanti Bhavan 2 are trained to meet the school’s expected academic rigor. Senior aunties model for newer staff how to care for the children, from building trust to handling behavioral challenges.
- Resource allocation: One of our biggest challenges has been ensuring that children at Shanti Bhavan 2 have access to the same resources as those at Shanti Bhavan 1. We’ve already established a farm to provide fresh, healthy food. Now, we hope to build art and music rooms, a library, and sports and activity spaces that nurture creativity, confidence, and community.
- Operations and logistics: Doubling our schools has meant doubling the responsibilities. Ms. Sagaya, our head matron, travels to new villages to recruit children in the greatest need. Ms. Beena coordinates with various administrators to ensure academic quality across both campuses. Mr. Tomy works with Mr. Frank and Mr. Naresh on all facilities-related issues for Shanti Bhavan 2, while continuing to fulfill his own responsibilities at Shanti Bhavan 1. And of course, Dr. George oversees every aspect of both schools to ensure we provide the very best to the children in our care.
Your support enables us to expand with additional staff, training, and tools, and makes it possible to sustain two campuses without compromising quality.
Dr. George holds a meeting with staff from both campuses to discuss and address ongoing challenges.
Where we go from here
Running two schools has tested us, but it’s also removed limitations. The two campuses, together, form an interconnected community that is more resilient and diverse than either could be on its own. There are new opportunities, such as the sharing of fruits and vegetables between the campuses, and a future where both campuses can participate in sports and arts together. As the children of Shanti Bhavan 2 transition into middle and high school, the Shanti Bhavan community will become even more robust.
I said at the start of this that our mission is complex, but in some ways it’s simple: We just want every child to live a life of dignity. More than ever before, you have given that. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do.
With gratitude,
Ajit George
