Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Amazing talent display by tribal children

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

sharing vibes: A volunteer from Germany joins the chorus on a flute with tribal kids after teaching them on how to play with it at `Balamitra Fest’ in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal children showed remarkable skills in memory, handicrafts and arts at Balamitra Fest in Sagarnagar on Tuesday.

About 30 children, inmates of Balamitra School which is an initiative of Samata, noted voluntary organisation, exhibited a remarkable knowledge of grammar, sang folk songs, displayed arithmetic skills through song and dance, and prowess in instrumental music through the flute they played, on the occasion.

Addressing the students, former Mayor D.V. Subba Rao said that it only showed that all that was needed was opportunity. The tribal children displayed originality, he observed. Complimenting the school for preserving the ancient culture while imparting education through nature, he said that the fact that volunteers from the far off Germany were attracted by the school in a remote corner in Andhra Pradesh spoke of the school’s good work.

Project Director Bhanumathi said there were 40 Balamitra schools run by Samata in hilltop tribal villages where over 800 tribal children were studying. The schools were started four years back with the single objective of providing education to tribal children.

The Waldorf school method of Germany was adopted as the basic literacy was not adequate and the children were taken through the wider process of getting am identity and wisdom.

The tribals were rich in traditional knowledge, she pointed out, adding that the school was attempting to bring about a holistic education process. She hoped to share it with other schools as well.

Teacher volunteers from Germany – Jan Paul, Josephine and Anna, chief executive of Samata, Ravi Rebbapragada, and others were present.

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