Indianapolis, July 22, 2017: A generous grant of $ 25,000 made possible by the Mary M. Dansby Trust, will be utilized to support nutrition programmes for the children of Christel House India. It was announced by Barbara S. (Bobbi) Bosch, Vice President, Marketing and Development, Christel House International. “Children who are well-nourished learn better,” says Bosch.
“This grant from the Mary M. Dansby Trust will help provide critical nutritional support for 1,160 impoverished students at our Bengaluru and Naya Raipur schools. We are grateful to the Mary M. Dansby Trust as they support Christel House and our mission of developing successful students, graduates and self-sufficient, contributing members of society.”
According to a press release issued by Christel House, more than 500 million people in India are hungry, and the average Christel House family in Naya Raipur survives on just $1.50 a day. Among children in India, 42.5 per cent under the age of five are underweight, making food insecurity a serious issue for many children."
Students at Christel House India receive two nutritious meals and a healthy snack each day, providing 80% of the child’s daily nutrition.
Hard work does get recognized. Lokesh Muthu, a 2011 graduate of Christel House India — Bengaluru is living proof. As Assistant Manager of Operations for a subsidiary of Quess, a leading business service provider in India, Lokesh was recently honoured for demonstrating his continued commitment to achieve excellence. Lokesh credits Christel House for his business success. “Christel House taught me the value of hard work. Christel House taught me honesty and integrity and this has resulted in my being recognized in the workplace.”
Lokesh enrolled at Christel House India as an 11 year old. “I joined Christel House India and my life changed completely. I got the best education and the best teachers. They molded my thoughts and career choice. When asked if his Christel House experience prepared him for the workforce he responded enthusiastically. “Yes! Everyone who is part of Christel House has made a difference in my life.”
Meanwhile, 39 students at Christel House India – Bengaluru were given a unique opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship as part of a pilot program between Christel House India and Udhyam Learning Foundation, reports Monthly Newsletter of Christel House.
The six-week course was a combination of classroom study and practical, hands-on field work. Over 60% of the time was outside the school as the 12th graders, with their instructors, traveled to various companies and start-ups to observe and ask questions.
Students celebrated the course completion with a graduation ceremony. All were enthusiastic about the experience, reporting that they had learned to take classroom learning and put it to practical use. They found teamwork, grit and determination to be important qualities of a successful entrepreneur. Teachers noted higher levels of self-confidence, awareness and determination after the course. There will now be follow-up training and mentorship sessions every month, and plans are to integrate the program as a regular part of our curriculum.
Recently the Fifth Annual Christel House Concert raised funds of $206,233 for the Christel House International Academies in India (Bengaluru, Naya Raipur) South Africa (Cape Town), Mexico (Mexico City) and Indiana (USA).
The mission of Christel House is to transform the lives of impoverished children around the world—breaking the cycle of poverty and building self-sufficient, contributing members of society. A focus on academic excellence through a robust K–12 curriculum is combined with a strong character development program to give students the skills and competencies necessary to compete successfully in complex 21st Century society.
Much more than a school, Christel House was established in 1998 by Founder and CEO Christel DeHaan, and currently serves over 4,600 impoverished students through eight learning centers—located in India, Mexico, South Africa and the U.S.A. Christel House students maintain a 99% graduation exam pass rate, and the majority of its graduates go on to pursue higher education. They become productive citizens, and many secure employment with top multinational corporations. Christel House graduates are confident, hardworking, responsible and ethical, with a passion for giving back to their communities and caring for their families.