Background

The FreeSchools World Literacy charity was incorporated in 2005 in Canada and among the first supporters were several generous American donors. Many of them have remained faithful year after year without the benefit of tax relief. FreeSchools World Literacy-USA was established as an essential step in helping make FreeSchools World Literacy and its mission sustainable.

In April 2009 a Board of Directors was founded by those who shared a passion for the FreeSchools mission and vision.  John Tennant, now the Treasurer for FSWL-USA, filed the necessary documents for incorporation and 501(c) (3) charitable status was granted in June 2009.  

Bihar, India

FreeSchools World Literacy-USA concentrates its efforts primarily with the schools in Bihar, India, and amongst the children who have few to no opportunities to attend or succeed in a standard school.  

Bihar is located in a northeastern corner of India and borders Nepal. Divided by the mighty Ganges River, Bihar is a vast plains area that is bitterly cold in winter, blistering hot in summer and prone to floods.  It is densely populated, devastatingly poor and relatively unknown to the rest of the world.  Historically, Bihar is where Gautama Buddha initiated his teachings and where Mahatma Gandhi led forth his vision of Satyagraha -- non-violent resistance -- against injustice. 

Mission

FSWL-USA espouses the vision of Sr. Mary Crescence, of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Bihar, that all children should have the opportunity to learn to read and write and the potential that can result from being literate.  The FSWL-USA programs in Bihar now extend to 45-50 schools, a number that varies depending on the land we may use or teacher availability.   

School is a term that to FSWL-USA means teacher, students and a place where learning occurs. The Bihar FreeSchools use borrowed space that might be under a tree, in an open courtyard, on a teacher’s porch or in a regular classroom after the school’s usual hours.  

A basic curriculum of literacy, arithmetic and health is offered, and a growing number of schools include sewing programs for girls 12 years and older.  Instruction is provided for 2 to 3 hours usually in the late afternoon, to accommodate the children’s work schedules. It is common to see 7- to 10-year-old girls bring toddler-aged siblings to class with them, as it is the older child's job to care for them while the parents work in the fields.   Unwittingly the seeds of early childhood education are thus being sown.

FreeSchools World Literacy students, who show exceptional aptitude, have the desire to learn and who receive family encouragement are funded with scholarships to full-day, accredited schools.     

The need to recruit, train and retain teachers is an issue for nearly every school worldwide. In Bihar, this takes on a new dimension as there is a social stigma for working with the poor. The perception is that a teacher who serves the poor is incompetent and cannot find a better position.   

Sr. Crescence hires retired teachers, teachers willing to serve despite social attitudes, and those aspiring to be teachers.  If a young woman or man can read and write and has the passion to learn, they are trained to be a village teacher. Professional development is a crucial and ongoing effort funded and encouraged by FSWL-USA. 

In the summer of 2011 FSWL-USA introduced a mobile library that visits the schools with a variety of illustrated non-fiction books, storybooks and leveled readers.  The books, which offer culturally appropriate topics or themes, were written in Hindi by Indian authors, illustrated by Indian artists, and published in India.  Added to the instructional materials in the mobile library are computers, purchased by a grant from Yahoo.

JOIN US

In Bihar, India, $15 provides one pupil with a basic education for one year and the opportunity to change that child's life forever.  Please join us to give these children an opportunity for a future.

The FSWL-USA Board of Directors joins our Canadian and Australian colleagues in thanking you for learning about FreeSchools World Literacy and for your support.  Please spread the word to family and friends or contact us if you want to get involved.  We’d love to hear from you.

Geri Johnson
President
FreeSchools World Literacy-USA