The Shishya Community

Shishya Community is a campus and home for needy children located about twenty-five kilometers outside the city of Dehra Dun in the state of Uttaranchal, northern India. The Himalayas rise in the north and the lower Shivalik mountains encircle it to form the "Doon Valley." This area is one of the few places in India where winter temperatures force people into coats and gloves. The summer days, though hot, get relief at night when temperatures drop to a pleasant warmth.

On the campus are three families of boys. Each family is cared for by a family who live with the boys. Two houses have boys ranging in ages from six to twelve. The other house is for the older boys, ages thirteen to eighteen. A total of about 50 boys live on the campus while other boys off-campus are taking special training or higher education. The children come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are orphans, but many children are from families whose poverty makes them unable to provide for their children.

The campus includes a farm and a school. A tube-well provides clean drinking water, a coveted necessity for life and health. The farm provides daily vegetables for making meals, mustard for cooking oil, wheat for chapatis, lentils, ginger, tapioca, fish, fruit and many other crops. The abundant water supply irrigates the fields, filling the fish pond and the swimming pool. The dairy has cows to provide milk.

Volunteers have proven themselves to be a great help. They are used in the school as classroom assistants or serve in whatever capacity they are needed. Volunteers also assist after school with the daily chores on the farm and oversee the children's study times, playtimes and work times. They also step in for house parents when they need a weekend off. It is a great opportunity to make relationships. A volunteer's special skills or hobbies can easily find a place to be shared and used.

Short term volunteers (a few days/weeks) are welcome for specific projects, but long term (six month) volunteers are encouraged. Short term volunteers have included teachers, electricians, welders, builders, farm-hands, special education, hands on physical labor teams, mentors and others.

The campus boasts a playing field for cricket and football (soccer) and other field games. There are swings and slides and other playground equipment at the school. Directly across from the swimming pool is a volleyball court where competition takes place. Across from the dairy is the basketball and badminton court.

A workshop to train the boys in motor mechanics, driving, and machine skills provides invaluable experience. They learn how to use welding equipment and practical skills in general maintenance.

The atmosphere of the home and farm is "family." It is understood that whenever and wherever there is a need, everyone pitches in. As a Christian community, we hope to live out love.