SVM «Sangeeta Vidya Mandir» Education Center
The school in the slums
Creation and purpose
SVM “Sangeeta Vidya Mandir” Education Centre was established by Sophie in 1995 in the I.T.O. slum. It is located east of New Delhi, beneath the water supply pipes, near the banks of the Yamuna River. When it opened, the centre had 80 students, 5 teachers and six classes.
Year after year, additional classes were introduced to provide students with a higher level of education, enabling them to secure employment or a small government loan to start a business.
Following the demolition of the I.T.O. slum in 2006, where the centre had been located for 11 years, a building was rented in the nearby Lakshmi Nagar area. The centre currently welcomes 225 students, who are taught in Hindi, Urdu, and English.
The centre has students from nursery to class 12, including preparation for Board examinations. Our first batch of students to appear for the Board exam was in 2009.
To date, 1,025 students have attended SVM; 150 have passed their Board exams and opted for further studies. Today, these students from the slums include doctors, teachers, managers, music teachers and many other successful professionals.
Sponsors
The SVM centre is sponsored by
Jivan Association caritative
Founded in Switzerland by Mrs Anita Bula, its President, to support this project.
The Swissair Foundation for Children in Need
Whose valuable support has been consistent through an annual donation since 1999.
The Association Aide aux Plus Démunis
Contributing to medical care and food expenses
The “Jivan Association Caritative” was established in Switzerland in 1997 under the name “Shanti Delhi” by Mrs. Anita Bula. Its purpose was to support the development of schools for street children in Delhi.
In 2006, it became known as “Jivan Association Caritative”. It funds the school through donations and various initiatives in Switzerland.
