Today was our last day at Parikrma and penultimate day at Baale Mane, a kind of bittersweet ending to our time there. Whilst our relationships with the students have blossomed over the last few days, it also meant it was harder for us to leave. We ended our time there with Geography continuing their lessons on sustainability, ecosystems, rivers and ‘Geography up close’. History and English taught some creative writing, by describing a journey on a ship. Science teachers taught some physics today, with the students making and launching their own rockets! We also led the daily school assembly, with a true or false quiz about Sheffield, hoping to teach the school a bit about us and build a bridge between two cities that are, geographically, so far away.


We also went to see the area that the Parikrma children and their families live. Words can’t describe what it was like and neither do the pictures. It was an incredibly emotional day for everyone, especially when we reflected on our experiences. You can read facts and watch documentaries about it, but to actually be there and experience it, if only for a few hours, was extremely powerful. It was amazing to see the children that we taught were so enthusiastic, and full of hope despite their situation, with an inspirational eagerness to learn. I think I can say for all of us that today was truly unforgettable.

Going to Baale Mane in the evening was, once again, great fun for all involved. Today we decorated tote bags with the girls, through a variety of ways including sewing and stickers. However, the true magic of the day came through the continuation of the building of the friendships with these girls, despite our incredibly different pathways throughout life.