1. These Indian children now go to school
These Indian children now go to school. Their parents are very poor and are treated unfairly by some people. .
Today I want you to come with me to South India. Here you can meet Shanti (not her real name) talking to the to other children from her neighbourhood before they go to school. In their village people are often rude to them because they are very poor and from a different caste. Shanti is telling them to work hard and not worry about what they say.

2. After school they learn about healthy food, being clean and their rights.
After school people from the SAND Trust and their teacher help them run a student parliament once a week. Some belong to the Ministry of Education. Some are part of the Ministry of Health and so forth. At the parliament they decide what they want to do.

3. They plant a Neem Tree. It will grow 20 metres and provide food and medicine. .

4. Bala (left) and Malar are members of the student parliament
Bala (left) and Malar are members of the student parliament. Part of the Ministry of Health they plant seedlings for healthy living.
Bala and Malar are from the Ministry of Health. They are teaching their class about healthy living. They organized a Handwashing Day. The Ministry of the Environment organized the school rubbish bins. One is for biodegradable rubbish for compost.

5. After planting trees at their school and in their village, they hold an Eco parade.

6. 80 children perform plays and dance, after they visited the forest for the first time.
In the school holidays SAND holds a school camp. The children learn the songs and dances of their people. They make up plays and learn about nature. Older students are excited to visit the forest for the first time.

7. These children love to learn and are glad they no longer have to work all day.
It is illegal for children to work in India. But they still do. Millions of children work all day sometimes for 12 hours or more. They do not go to school and have no time to play. Some children make bricks or work as servants. Your gift to the Christmas Appeal will help SAND give them hope for a better life. Can you help?