Kids forced to attend school for first time ON THE SIDEWALK while crime and dropout rates soar

'Nothing stops Uncle from taking classes.'

Shyam Bihari Prasad retired from his position as an Assistant General Manager from telecommunications company BSNL. What he did with his life next changed the lives of children forever.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Prasad, known as "Uncle," began teaching impoverished children on the side of a road.

In 2013, when he retired and moved to Vasant Kunj, New Delhi to live with his daughter, Prasad often paid a visit to the Hanuman temple near the house.

Along his journey to the temple, he often encountered several children outside begging for prasad, or religious offerings of food parishioners take to the temple.

Prasad told The Better India: "All these children have working parents who lock up their homes when they go to work. They have to leave their kids outside to fend for themselves. Classes in the local government school start only at 1 am, so these kids beg for food outside the temple before going to school."

Moved by compassion for the young kids, Prasad gave his offering to a child one day and bought biscuits from a nearby shop for the others.

As he spoke to them, he learned about their schools and classes they attended. When he asked them simple questions, he realized they had no understanding whatsoever of basic math equations or the sciences.

Sadly, the kids also lacked knowledge of spelling and writing in both Hindi, their native language, and English.

One day he asked if the kids wanted to learn a few basics. When they enthusiastically responded they did, he promised to meet them outside the temple, on the sidewalk, the next morning at 8 a.m.

The following morning on that cold November day, "Uncle" began his lessons.

He begins each with a prayer before they sit to study, like any government school in New Delhi.

Many local residents noticed the classes and donated time and supplies. Some gave books, stationary or snacks, while others offered to teach lessons.

Prasad shared: "When we first started the pavement classes, we only had one borrowed mat to sit on and no chair or table for me. It did not look like a place of learning.

"But local people walked out of their shops and offered to help, donating whatever I requested them to. It's heartening to see how God sends his messengers to help those who are helping themselves and others."

Two students at the local government school explained, "On rainy and cold days, when it is difficult to sit in the open, we move into the temple premises. Nothing stops Uncle from taking classes."

The loud sounds of traffic can't keep students from listening raptly to Uncle's lessons. At times they misbehave, just like any other student might, but it is clear they harbor a desire to learn.

According to India Today, classes got out to a rocky start, with most of the kids unwilling to offer answers.

"I like teaching these children," Prasad said, adding: "It was difficult to convince the kids initially for the studies, so I offered them chocolates and toffees for every right answer. Now I have around 10-15 children who come for these classes regularly."

According to OSAC, New Delhi's greatest acts of crime are aimed toward women. It was dubbed a "rape capital" by several media sources over the past two years and theft is particularly high.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, revealed poverty and poor quality of education are major factors in an increase in children dropping out of school.

Acknowledging these statistics, Prasad believes a basic education can teach kids how to grow up to lead respectful, productive lives.

Ten-year-old Pooja Kumari Naik told Daily Mail he has never been to school before but for the past two years has been attending Prasad's classes.

Students like Naik are positively changed after encountering Prasad's lessons. They are given more than just an education; they learn respect, discipline and how to set and achieve goals - all important life lessons to be utilized in other areas of their lives.

"I want to become a teacher when I grow up," Naik proudly announced. "Our uncle is very good. He teaches us English very well. He explains Hindi very nicely and we feel very good when he teaches us. He gives us knowledge and wisdom  - that's why we come here to study."

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online