The Indian couple who teaches lessons on the street for poor children left without school due to the pandemic

In India, a retired couple made themselves available to the poorest children who have no means to study by offering lessons on the street

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While India is hit hard by the pandemic, many children and young people have had to give up school since the end of March. Those who can continue with distance learning but most cannot afford access to the internet, PC or smartphone. A retired couple who decided to offer lessons on the street thought of them.

In a quiet street in the capital of India, New Delhi, sitting on a brick sidewalk, a group of children and teenagers left without the opportunity to study continue to learn thanks to the generosity of a local couple.

Children, aged 4 to 14, walk more than 2 kilometers from their thatched huts on the banks of the Yamuna River to this impromptu class along the way.

The Indian couple who teaches lessons on the street for poor children left without school due to the pandemic

Waiting for them are Veena Gupta (ex singer) and her husband, Virendra Gupta (ex diplomat) who offer free lessons in math, science, English and physical education.

The couple decided to put themselves at the service of these children so that they do not lag too far behind the others who instead have the necessary means to continue studying from home:

“They don't have access to the internet, their schools are closed and they have no means of learning,” Veena said.

Husband and wife, teachers for the occasion, also provide children with everything they need to study: books, pencils, notebooks and other teaching materials.

While many private schools are continuing with distance learning, children in most government-run schools do not have this option or do not have the means to purchase digital learning tools such as laptops and smartphones.

“There is only one cell phone in my family and it is usually with my father. I can't study online, ”said Nitin Mishra, an eighth grade student.

Mishra's mother works as a part-time maid and her father is unable to find a job as the Indian economy has been hit hard by the pandemic.

By the day the classes on the street grew as dozens of children showed interest in taking the lessons offered by the couple. Now the Guptas, with the help of their driver, teach three different groups three times a week, morning and evening.

After class, the children also have a snack thanks to the homemade lemonade and cookies prepared by Veena.

Now the couple's goal is to recruit more volunteers to offer more courses so that more children can participate.

“It's not about the money people can give, it's about their time. They should spend some of their time, about an hour, if not every day, every other day, and come and help these children ”.