Playing cricket and helping out in maths lessons were just two of the many ways in which Sixth Form students from Felsted School in north Essex supported disadvantaged children in Mumbai, India during a half-term visit to experience first-hand the work of a charity set up by a former Felsted pupil.
Magic Bus was founded by Matthew Spacie MBE, who attended Felsted Sixth Form from 1983-1985, and supports children in one of the poorest areas of Mumbai by providing educational opportunities as well as developing life skills. Felsted has close ties to the charity – students and staff fundraise throughout the year and groups of students travel regularly to Mumbai to see the charity in action and to work with the volunteers there.
Anais P, was among the group to travel to Mumbai in October this year and appreciated the opportunity to ‘witness a completely different style of life to our own’. One of the most impactful days for Anais was visiting a school in Jawhar to paint a mural in the traditional style of Warli painting and to visit some of the children’s homes, which she said ‘showed us the great sense of community and positivity there’.
The group visited one of Magic Bus’ Community Learning Centres in Dharavi to find out how the charity educates younger children. ‘I found this experience to be very rewarding,’ said Liv F. ‘I could see how much Magic Bus positively impacted children’s lives.’
In all, the experience made an enormous impression on the group. ‘It was powerful to realize that while our daily environments, our homes, our schools, and our routines are worlds apart, our fundamental desire for a better life and our future aspirations are in unison,’ summed up Will B.
‘The Magic Bus students, focused on gaining education or vocational skills, spoke with an inspiring level of optimism and determination about careers in technology, marketing, or business. Meeting people who share my age but are navigating vastly different circumstances was profoundly humbling and motivating.’
‘Making a difference’ is a key element of Felsted’s ethos and the school supports numerous good causes, both in the UK and around the world. Felsted runs an outreach programme, which involves sharing facilities and expertise with the local community, and students regularly volunteer to help in night shelters and at food banks and to take part in projects to support our charity partners across the world. School students, parents and staff also take part in charity fundraising initiatives all year round. To find out more about entry into Felsted, book a place at an upcoming Open Morning at www.felsted.org/opendays.
For further information or comment, please telephone the Felsted Marketing Department on 01371 822647 or email marketing@felsted.org
Categories: Felsted School School News
