Mountain Schools and Support for Needy Families in Slum Communities

Continuing of Projects in Northern India – Spring 2026

Hier ist die englische Übersetzung:

After Michael and Alexandra had already been working in the foothills of the Himalayas for FriendCircle WorldHelp in January 2026, another journey once again took them to northern India. Many of the impressions and encounters from the first mission were still very much present in their minds. At the same time, further visits to slum communities, brick kilns, and remote mountain regions were on the agenda.

As in January, the work began with extensive shopping and preparations on site. Together with long-time local friends and helpers, supplies were purchased, sorted, and prepared for distribution. Once again, the goal was to support particularly needy families and schoolchildren in regions that receive little or no assistance.

One focus of the trip was on mountain schools located in the higher regions of the Himalayas. The journey took the team for many hours along narrow and winding roads to areas surrounding the hill station of Shimla. As the altitude increased, the villages became smaller, the roads more challenging, and the living conditions often became even more extreme.

At several schools, educational materials, notebooks, pens, and other learning supplies were distributed to the children. For many families, even these basic items represent a significant financial burden. The joy of the students was therefore immense when they received the supplies. At first glance, the schools often appear quite orderly because of the mandatory school uniforms. Each child receives two sets per year from the government, but a closer look reveals how worn many of them are and how often the sizes no longer fit properly.

This once again highlighted the importance and value that education holds for families living in the mountains. Despite the most basic living conditions and often very long journeys to school, parents and teachers make tremendous efforts to provide children with a better future. The visits to the schools once again showed the team how much even small forms of support can improve the daily lives of these children.

In addition to the mountain regions, several slum communities were once again visited. During the January trip, the team had already met many families living under extremely difficult conditions.
Many families live in simple shelters made of corrugated metal sheets, tarpaulins, and salvaged building materials, often without access to running water or electricity. After dark, this becomes a major challenge for daily life. Many routine tasks become more difficult, and safety is often limited.

For this reason, solar lamps were distributed alongside other relief supplies. These lamps can be charged during the day using sunlight and provide light in the evening without creating ongoing costs. For many families, this represents a significant improvement in their daily lives. Children especially benefit, as they are now able to do their homework even after sunset. The lamps are also a great help when people need to leave their huts at night, for example to use the toilet. The light helps them spot potentially dangerous animals and avoid accidentally stepping on a snake.

Another area of work during this trip was supporting families employed in brick kilns. The working conditions there are among the harshest imaginable. The physically demanding work begins early in the morning. Clay must be shaped, bricks transported, and processed, often under intense heat. Many workers perform this labor for long hours every day in exchange for very low wages.

What particularly moved the team was the fact that entire families are often involved in this work. While the adults perform heavy physical labor, the children grow up directly within the environment of the brick kilns. Living conditions are usually very basic, and access to education, healthcare, and other essential services is often limited.

The team visited several of these workplaces and was able to distribute relief supplies as well as educational materials for the workers' children. The encounters were marked by great warmth and gratitude. At the same time, they revealed the many challenges people face every day simply to provide for their families.

Throughout the journey, all distributions took place in a calm and orderly atmosphere. Time and again, conversations developed with families, teachers, and children. Once more, it became clear how important personal encounters are alongside material support.

At the end of the trip, the team returned with the realization that the challenges in many regions remain immense. At the same time, however, it was inspiring to witness how much hope, joy, and mutual support exist even under very difficult circumstances.

With many new impressions, moving encounters, and deep gratitude, Michael and Alexandra returned to Germany. Once again, the journey demonstrated how important the support of ALL our friends and supporters back home truly is. Only through these valuable contributions was it possible to purchase school supplies, solar lamps, and other relief items and distribute them directly to the people who needed them most.