Publications Information
Balwadi Brochures by various researchers
"A Child. A cherished child. Born in a slum. Or, living
on the pavement beneath a plastic sheet. She didn't ask to
be born poor. She didn't deserve it. She just was. She is
not alone."
More than half Mumbai's children sleep every night on
the streets or in slums. The public school system is
overflowing, with classrooms designed for 30 or 40
holding more than 60 children. No classroom aids or
assistants. Parents of many of Mumbai’s slum and
street children are either working day jobs or not at
all, or if they are lucky they may have a permanent job,
but wages are so low that they have only enough
money to eat a single meal each day. There is no
money to send their small children to school.
Parents often both work, leaving younger children in
the care of older children, and there is no one to see
to it that they attend school.
Balwadis, or day care centers, have begun to be
established throughout Mumbai as a means for
giving young children a chance to be educated.
Funded by NGOs and other private means, balwadis
offer primary education to children from the ages of
about 3 through 6, teaching them basic colors and
numbers, manners, alphabet, and helping them see
that it is fun to learn, and that education will help they
and their families to have a better life. The children’s
general health and welfare is looked after at the
balwadis, and children are often assisted in gaining
entrance into a public school kindergarten or first
standard. See Contact Us page...
on the pavement beneath a plastic sheet. She didn't ask to
be born poor. She didn't deserve it. She just was. She is
not alone."
More than half Mumbai's children sleep every night on
the streets or in slums. The public school system is
overflowing, with classrooms designed for 30 or 40
holding more than 60 children. No classroom aids or
assistants. Parents of many of Mumbai’s slum and
street children are either working day jobs or not at
all, or if they are lucky they may have a permanent job,
but wages are so low that they have only enough
money to eat a single meal each day. There is no
money to send their small children to school.
Parents often both work, leaving younger children in
the care of older children, and there is no one to see
to it that they attend school.
Balwadis, or day care centers, have begun to be
established throughout Mumbai as a means for
giving young children a chance to be educated.
Funded by NGOs and other private means, balwadis
offer primary education to children from the ages of
about 3 through 6, teaching them basic colors and
numbers, manners, alphabet, and helping them see
that it is fun to learn, and that education will help they
and their families to have a better life. The children’s
general health and welfare is looked after at the
balwadis, and children are often assisted in gaining
entrance into a public school kindergarten or first
standard. See Contact Us page...
ICES Publishing USA
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Balwadi brochures...
Were researched by volunteers
for the International Centre for
Ethnographic Studies (ICES)
and published by ICES
Publishing USA for the purpose
of producing a tool for each of
the balwadis to raise financial
support for their work, and to
heighten appreciation for the
work of their balwadi within the
communities where they work.
They are available in limited
supply at a cost of $2.00 each
plus shipping from the Mumbai
office.
for the International Centre for
Ethnographic Studies (ICES)
and published by ICES
Publishing USA for the purpose
of producing a tool for each of
the balwadis to raise financial
support for their work, and to
heighten appreciation for the
work of their balwadi within the
communities where they work.
They are available in limited
supply at a cost of $2.00 each
plus shipping from the Mumbai
office.
Children of the Balwadi: Changing the Face
of Education by Asha Saraswat
of Education by Asha Saraswat
Conducting research over a period of six months,
Asha Saraswat visited 27 balwadis, interviewed
dozens of teachers and parents and recorded what
she saw. As she unfolds her journey for the readers
to experience, they will both rejoice and grieve for the
city’s millions of underprivileged children, and they
will be challenged and motivated to DO something
about it!
Who are the children of the balwadi? They represent
the future of India. They will be an influence:
positive—or not. They can become men and women
of character—or not. Children can have the chance to
achieve their physical, psychological and academic
potential and live hopeful, fulfilled lives—or not. The
choice lies in equal opportunity in education. The
choice lies in the city’s commitment to ALL of Mumbai’
s children. And that is the point. You need to read
this book. Purchase now...
Asha Saraswat visited 27 balwadis, interviewed
dozens of teachers and parents and recorded what
she saw. As she unfolds her journey for the readers
to experience, they will both rejoice and grieve for the
city’s millions of underprivileged children, and they
will be challenged and motivated to DO something
about it!
Who are the children of the balwadi? They represent
the future of India. They will be an influence:
positive—or not. They can become men and women
of character—or not. Children can have the chance to
achieve their physical, psychological and academic
potential and live hopeful, fulfilled lives—or not. The
choice lies in equal opportunity in education. The
choice lies in the city’s commitment to ALL of Mumbai’
s children. And that is the point. You need to read
this book. Purchase now...
Culture Cards, an educational card game for
ages 8-adult, from 2-6 players.
ages 8-adult, from 2-6 players.
It's worth it. As you play it with friends, 100 cards
challenge what you value in Mumbai's diversity of
cultures...and in your own culture. Culture Cards ask
questions about people, places, geography, the arts
and history in Mumbai. "Wild" cards stretch your
thinking and your preconceptions. This interactive
game will get you talking with your friends about
what's important. Really important. And that's worth it!
Purchase through our Mumbai office for local or
international shipment. Ships anywhere in USA
within 2-5 days. $15/ Rs.350.
challenge what you value in Mumbai's diversity of
cultures...and in your own culture. Culture Cards ask
questions about people, places, geography, the arts
and history in Mumbai. "Wild" cards stretch your
thinking and your preconceptions. This interactive
game will get you talking with your friends about
what's important. Really important. And that's worth it!
Purchase through our Mumbai office for local or
international shipment. Ships anywhere in USA
within 2-5 days. $15/ Rs.350.
Inspired by initial research for
the brochures above, this book
has been welcomed in early
childhood education programs
across the city as a resource for
educators in Mumbai.
It was researched and written
because at ICES we believe that
if we are to place a finger on the
pulse of where Mumbai is
headed in the future, it is pivotal
to examine what Mumbai is
doing about educating more
than half of the children who live
here...who live, in fact, in the
slums and on the streets of the
city.
the brochures above, this book
has been welcomed in early
childhood education programs
across the city as a resource for
educators in Mumbai.
It was researched and written
because at ICES we believe that
if we are to place a finger on the
pulse of where Mumbai is
headed in the future, it is pivotal
to examine what Mumbai is
doing about educating more
than half of the children who live
here...who live, in fact, in the
slums and on the streets of the
city.
Children of the
Balwadi...
Balwadi...
Culture Cards...
A radical 6 week summer
vacation for 12 Mumbai
university students produced the
research for this educational
card game. Stretching them
across the city's diversity of
people groups and economic
strata, these students learned
what it takes to interact with
people who are not like them.
They learned about teamwork,
dedication, and a spirit of
cooperation to get the job done.
The result: a FUN educational
game!
vacation for 12 Mumbai
university students produced the
research for this educational
card game. Stretching them
across the city's diversity of
people groups and economic
strata, these students learned
what it takes to interact with
people who are not like them.
They learned about teamwork,
dedication, and a spirit of
cooperation to get the job done.
The result: a FUN educational
game!
April 2004
May 2005
Children of the Balwadi:
Changing the Face of
Education by Asha Saraswat
Changing the Face of
Education by Asha Saraswat
October 2006
"Culture Cards,"
educational card game.
educational card game.
Balwadi Brochures
by Various researchers
by Various researchers
Rupee purchase, contact us
Publications Information
Balwadi Brochures by various researchers
"A Child. A cherished child. Born in a slum. Or, living
on the pavement beneath a plastic sheet. She didn't ask to
be born poor. She didn't deserve it. She just was. She is
not alone."
More than half Mumbai's children sleep every night on
the streets or in slums. The public school system is
overflowing, with classrooms designed for 30 or 40
holding more than 60 children. No classroom aids or
assistants. Parents of many of Mumbai’s slum and
street children are either working day jobs or not at
all, or if they are lucky they may have a permanent job,
but wages are so low that they have only enough
money to eat a single meal each day. There is no
money to send their small children to school.
Parents often both work, leaving younger children in
the care of older children, and there is no one to see
to it that they attend school.
Balwadis, or day care centers, have begun to be
established throughout Mumbai as a means for
giving young children a chance to be educated.
Funded by NGOs and other private means, balwadis
offer primary education to children from the ages of
about 3 through 6, teaching them basic colors and
numbers, manners, alphabet, and helping them see
that it is fun to learn, and that education will help they
and their families to have a better life. The children’s
general health and welfare is looked after at the
balwadis, and children are often assisted in gaining
entrance into a public school kindergarten or first
standard. See Contact Us page...
on the pavement beneath a plastic sheet. She didn't ask to
be born poor. She didn't deserve it. She just was. She is
not alone."
More than half Mumbai's children sleep every night on
the streets or in slums. The public school system is
overflowing, with classrooms designed for 30 or 40
holding more than 60 children. No classroom aids or
assistants. Parents of many of Mumbai’s slum and
street children are either working day jobs or not at
all, or if they are lucky they may have a permanent job,
but wages are so low that they have only enough
money to eat a single meal each day. There is no
money to send their small children to school.
Parents often both work, leaving younger children in
the care of older children, and there is no one to see
to it that they attend school.
Balwadis, or day care centers, have begun to be
established throughout Mumbai as a means for
giving young children a chance to be educated.
Funded by NGOs and other private means, balwadis
offer primary education to children from the ages of
about 3 through 6, teaching them basic colors and
numbers, manners, alphabet, and helping them see
that it is fun to learn, and that education will help they
and their families to have a better life. The children’s
general health and welfare is looked after at the
balwadis, and children are often assisted in gaining
entrance into a public school kindergarten or first
standard. See Contact Us page...
ICES Publishing USA
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balwadi brochures...
Were researched by volunteers
for the International Centre for
Ethnographic Studies (ICES)
and published by ICES
Publishing USA for the purpose
of producing a tool for each of
the balwadis to raise financial
support for their work, and to
heighten appreciation for the
work of their balwadi within the
communities where they work.
They are available in limited
supply at a cost of $2.00 each
plus shipping from the Mumbai
office.
for the International Centre for
Ethnographic Studies (ICES)
and published by ICES
Publishing USA for the purpose
of producing a tool for each of
the balwadis to raise financial
support for their work, and to
heighten appreciation for the
work of their balwadi within the
communities where they work.
They are available in limited
supply at a cost of $2.00 each
plus shipping from the Mumbai
office.
Children of the Balwadi: Changing the Face
of Education by Asha Saraswat
of Education by Asha Saraswat
Conducting research over a period of six months,
Asha Saraswat visited 27 balwadis, interviewed
dozens of teachers and parents and recorded what
she saw. As she unfolds her journey for the readers
to experience, they will both rejoice and grieve for the
city’s millions of underprivileged children, and they
will be challenged and motivated to DO something
about it!
Who are the children of the balwadi? They represent
the future of India. They will be an influence:
positive—or not. They can become men and women
of character—or not. Children can have the chance to
achieve their physical, psychological and academic
potential and live hopeful, fulfilled lives—or not. The
choice lies in equal opportunity in education. The
choice lies in the city’s commitment to ALL of Mumbai’
s children. And that is the point. You need to read
this book. Purchase now...
Asha Saraswat visited 27 balwadis, interviewed
dozens of teachers and parents and recorded what
she saw. As she unfolds her journey for the readers
to experience, they will both rejoice and grieve for the
city’s millions of underprivileged children, and they
will be challenged and motivated to DO something
about it!
Who are the children of the balwadi? They represent
the future of India. They will be an influence:
positive—or not. They can become men and women
of character—or not. Children can have the chance to
achieve their physical, psychological and academic
potential and live hopeful, fulfilled lives—or not. The
choice lies in equal opportunity in education. The
choice lies in the city’s commitment to ALL of Mumbai’
s children. And that is the point. You need to read
this book. Purchase now...
Culture Cards, an educational card game for
ages 8-adult, from 2-6 players.
ages 8-adult, from 2-6 players.
Inspired by initial research for
the brochures above, this book
has been welcomed in early
childhood education programs
across the city as a resource for
educators in Mumbai.
It was researched and written
because at ICES we believe that
if we are to place a finger on the
pulse of where Mumbai is
headed in the future, it is pivotal
to examine what Mumbai is
doing about educating more
than half of the children who live
here...who live, in fact, in the
slums and on the streets of the
city.
the brochures above, this book
has been welcomed in early
childhood education programs
across the city as a resource for
educators in Mumbai.
It was researched and written
because at ICES we believe that
if we are to place a finger on the
pulse of where Mumbai is
headed in the future, it is pivotal
to examine what Mumbai is
doing about educating more
than half of the children who live
here...who live, in fact, in the
slums and on the streets of the
city.
Children of the
Balwadi...
Balwadi...
Culture Cards...
A radical 6 week summer
vacation for 12 Mumbai
university students produced the
research for this educational
card game. Stretching them
across the city's diversity of
people groups and economic
strata, these students learned
what it takes to interact with
people who are not like them.
They learned about teamwork,
dedication, and a spirit of
cooperation to get the job done.
The result: a FUN educational
game!
vacation for 12 Mumbai
university students produced the
research for this educational
card game. Stretching them
across the city's diversity of
people groups and economic
strata, these students learned
what it takes to interact with
people who are not like them.
They learned about teamwork,
dedication, and a spirit of
cooperation to get the job done.
The result: a FUN educational
game!
April 2004
May 2005
Children of the Balwadi:
Changing the Face of
Education by Asha Saraswat
Changing the Face of
Education by Asha Saraswat
October 2006
"Culture Cards,"
educational card game.
educational card game.
Balwadi Brochures
by Various researchers
by Various researchers
Rupee purchase, contact us
| | | | | | | | | | |