Gift an education...Make a life !

Majority of Isha Vidhya students belong to the financially
underprivileged section of the society. When the daily
struggle is whether they will be able to earn enough to
have two meals that day, things like personal hygiene
take a back seat.

To ensure that all students learn about basic personal
hygiene, a "Brush the teeth" activity was conducted as
part of lessons for the Ist grade at the Dharmapuri School.
As expected, only few students brought their own brush
for the activity, so 34 brushes were supplied from the
school to the students.  The students were eager to
participate in the activity, especially when they received
the new brushes.

The teachers taught them the method to brush the
correct way, and also explained the reason for brushing daily.
Students readily agreed to brush their teeth twice a day,
every day.

The next lesson was on personal hygiene. The teachers
explained the tasks that need be performed to stay clean.
The right method of washing hands was taught to the
students. The activity included a fun song (with gestures) :

"Brush your teeth twice a day, and have a bath daily!
 Wear clean clothes, apply oil and comb your hair properly!
 Cut your nails once in a week, and keep them clean daily!"

Naresh of Ist grade, B section, shares:

"I did not like brushing before this activity but after that,
I like to brush daily and keep my teeth clean. I feel joy while
singing the rhyme of cleanliness."

Roshini of Ist grade, A section, shares:

"Before this activity I never cut the nails but after this activity,
I cut my nails weekly once. And by this activity I learnt the
importance of cutting nails."

We are glad that children who were mostly never familiar with
the concept of hygiene and personal cleanliness, are learning
them in the school in their area, through activities.  Aren't you
glad too?  Share your thoughts!