The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : American children reach out to counterparts across continents

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Saturday, Feb 20, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

American children reach out to counterparts across continents

Hugo Williams

Students of Garfield Public School interacting with

CHENNAI: A group of 14-18 year-old American schoolchildren have travelled to India to donate 50 computers to schools in Tamil Nadu. The 18 students raised the money themselves to buy the computers, and made the journey all the way to India to install them in Eureka School in Chennai and TTS School in Karaikal.

As well as providing and setting up the machines, the students also helped the children learn some important computer skills: “We taught them how to use the Internet and Microsoft Word… They caught on really fast,” said Zoe Jones, one of the students.

When asked what their favourite part of the trip had been, the students did not only limit themselves to including the “beautiful beaches” or the “cool temples” they had visited, or the fact that they had been taught – if not converted to – India's love for cricket.

“It was such an amazing experience to be able to connect with the other kids in a meaningful way…playing games and teaching each other words from our own languages,” explained student Zack Smith, as several of those in the group listening nodded in approval.

But what were the biggest differences between the U.S. and India, according to this group of American high-school kids? “The poverty was very shocking,” said one student. “And the food is so spicy,” added another. Squat toilets were a unique experience,” said another boy finally, provoking laughter from several others.

Ben Geyman, in an entry in the group's India blog, had this to say: “A heavy emphasis (in Indian schools)…is placed on effort and work ethic. In my experience, this runs counter to values in America... where respect goes to the one who can do the best with the least amount of effort.”

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