Two worlds, one classroom

Service club coordinator Vera Garg explains the school's "open campus" policy in relation to outreach programs: "I think AES has always felt that if we have a facility to use, we should always lend it to others, to the underprivileged," she says. "The main idea is that we are not spending additional money, but rather offering our time, effort, and space, which is the main purpose of the program."

The Reach Out activities have helped the children who live in the slums develop hobbies and interests. The music and computer stations are favorites; the tutoring center, however, has always been the most popular. This year, the AES students saw a need for a more structured tutoring program to help the older children with homework and learning English. So they started another program called Teach India that now welcomes 50 children a week for rigorous tutoring sessions.

AES students feel that their outlook on life has changed greatly because of the Reach Out program and other service clubs. Briar Kemper, a 16-year-old originally from California, thinks about the world in new ways after participating in the program. "I have learned that there are people out there who are less fortunate than me," she says. "I feel we should be doing as much as we can to help them."

AES student Sheena Garg admits the weekly sessions aren't always easy. "This is my second year living in India, but because I lived in Cincinnati for most of my life, I am not a fluent Hindi speaker, which ... led to communication problems."

But both Sheena and Briar are two of many who lead "the AES student lifestyle," embracing volunteer service as an integral component of daily life. "I've learned that the kids we work with who are impoverished are very capable. They deserve opportunities to create a better future and I feel we should help them to the best of our ability," Sheena says.

'Enter to learn, leave to serve'

The children from the jugghi also feel that AES efforts have made a difference in their lives. "We love the students and have made many friends," says 14-year-old Shivani, laughing. "I feel happy that the school is helping us. The campus is great!"

Another young girl holds her little brother's hand tightly as she speaks of what she likes most about AES students. "They study very well, so my friends and I love going to the tutoring station for homework help. The students have helped me very much with my English."

The Reach Out program now hosts 350 to 400 children on campus each week. Mr. Poiman and Ms. Bradley's vision has made a world of difference to many individuals in the jugghi, and inspired the AES student body to honor the school's mission: "Enter to learn, leave to serve."

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