Normally, we would fly from Delhi to Patna, (the capital city), and travel 7 hours by car to Bettiah. But for the first time, we’re trying the overnight train that takes us on a 17-hour journey east across India and passes through Bettiah. It will save 28 hours of back and forth travel time for Sr. Crescence who always insists on personally greeting us at the airport.

Instead of visiting as many schools as possible, we will be taking an in depth look at six different types. The difference has to do with the activities that the children undertake to help provide for their families.�

FreeSchools has been created to offer education to the poorest of the poor, to children who provide for their families by collecting and selling dry leaves for fuel or garbage and empty plastic bottles to recycle. These enterprising, hardworking youngsters develop specialty skills and band together. Another group sells paan (betal leaves and areca nut that is chewed as a breath freshner) and bananas at railway stations. Others steal sugarcane from trucks or collect any edible discarded rotten fruit and vegetables. Some kids help their parents herd cows and water buffalo while others fish. The beauty of FreeSchools is that classes are held late in the day so as not to conflict with the essential business of survival.

Once wild and wholly ruffians with no culture of education or play, these kids live by their wits. Their story of how they were recruited and how they developed a love of learning is fascinating. It speaks to the creativity, patience, skill and especially love that Sr. Crescence instills in her teachers. It’s a story Risa hopes to capture on film – possibilities developing thanks to education, despite the deprivation and despair. Such hope is made possible by donors around the world who recognize that literacy, especially girls’ literacy will not only change families but can change whole communities.

Last November, social leaders gathered in Patna to address the huge development challenge facing Bihar. As one of the poorest states in India, Bihar has a population approaching 90 million with 40 per cent living in poverty.�

Gender discrimination, leading to female feticide and infanticide is deeply engrained. In 2001, there were 921 women for 1000 men in Bihar (933 for All-India). These beliefs and behaviours stem from outdated patriarchal property laws and cultural preference for male children. The regional illiteracy rate is 40% for men and 66% for women.�

But averages are misleading. In the low-paid unorganized sector, 98.5% of women are either illiterate or have less than a primary education. In the organized sector, 13.8% of women are employed in rural areas and 6.5% in urban areas. Only 0.2% of women have a technical degree/diploma in Bihar.

FreeSchools are making a difference for several thousand children. Innocent kids, especially girls, need a fighting chance and education gives them just that. For that and for the commitment of our supporters and donors… I am grateful.