February Update

Parent meetings are an essential part to any school. Here at Opportunity Foundation, the parent meetings also allow us to establish a trusting relationship with the parents and help them to see that they are a crucial part to their child’s learning. Because many of them are uneducated, they do not feel they have anything to contribute. The goal is to show them that they do and to establish that relationship that will empower them to become more involved in what their children are doing at school.

February 19th was the first parent meeting since Scott and Kristen arrived in India. Because of the history of poor parent turnout, they were nervous that few parents would come. Beforehand, they took time to plan with Bhaskar ways of getting a larger turnout. Tea and prizes were going to be offered at each parent meeting to help entice more to come.

At 5pm, when the meeting was supposed to start, there were about 5 parents there. Great! No one began to panic yet, but decided to wait another 10 minutes, and spent that time praying that more would come, while also trying to decide what to do if no one else came. Fortunately, God is so faithful and always does so much more than could have been expected. There about 100 parents end up coming to the meeting!

It was such a blessing and a great opportunity for Scott and Kristen to meet the parents and to encourage them to continue to come to the meetings. Slowly the parents are beginning to understand that they are an important part in the whole process. By asking them questions and letting the parents ask questions a trust and relationship develops. The goal is to not only empower the children, but the parents. By doing that, there can be nothing but good things that come for the school and only enhance the children’s hope for a better future.