"CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY"
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The "Celebration of Diversity" Drama is an annual event that brings disabled and economically disadvantaged children together for an inspiring night of entertainment. In Kolkata, both disabled and disadvantaged children are often isolated and not part of mainstream society. ETC identified a unique opportunity to change people’s perception of these groups.
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The slum-dwelling children of Preyrona School and the mentally and physically 
challenged young adults from Prabartak Home performed “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves.” It was the first time that the disabled children were required to assume such an active role - learning dialogue, dance routines and mime. Afterwards, the audience wholeheartedly agreed that it was almost impossible to tell the disabled children from the non-disabled children.
In 2007 The Preyrona and Prabartak children once again collaborated. They performed the “Magic Mirror”, a dramatization of Tagore’s classic poem. ETC engages the talents and imagination of these special children by providing opportunities that allow them to take pride in their accomplishments. For more information, see the article in the 2008 Newsletter.
"WALK FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE"
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Two hundred children from Disha School walked through the streets of Kolkata in support of the children worldwide who are not attending school. This was no easy task since the streets of Kolkata are clogged with cars, taxis, rickshaws, auto rickshaws, trucks buses, trams, trolleys, wagons, as well as an assortment of animals!
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The police were very helpful, following along in police cars and monitoring the traffic. The children enjoyed themselves immensely and carried their signs, banners and 'happy faces' proudly.
ETC thanks David Kenneth Waldman of "To Love Children" who developed the Walk for Education concept. ETC is happy and proud to do its small part in Kolkata.
2ND
"WALK FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE"
Our 2nd "Walk for Education Worldwide" was very special. The children at the Rehabilitation Center for Children" participated despite the fact that they are all non-ambulatory and walking is their greatest challenge (and their goal).
They made beautiful and colorful signs in Hindi, Bengali and English which read:
Education for All Children
Kids Want to Learn
Education is a Human Right
Books for Everyone
Literacy = Empowerment
We Care about Kids Everywhere
Education = A Bright Future
It was with the greatest difficulty that these children were able to march around the grounds of the hospital. Yet, they did so with such enthusiasm that you couldn't help but wonder where they got their determination.
Musical instruments added to the children's fun. They banged the drums, blew the flutes, and shook the tambourines with great abandon. They finished the walk after 15 minutes, but continued the music long afterward.
As David Kenneth Waldman of To Love Children said, "The children are not crippled but only unable to walk."
3RD" WALK
FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE"
ETC's 3rd “Walk for Education Worldwide” was a resounding success.
More than 300 students from three schools participated - Mentaid, Akshar, La Martiniere.
The walk originated in front of St. Paul's Cathedral with a 'special' opening ceremony. The mentally and physically challenged students from Mentaid performed a drama which they had written themselves.
The drama included a role for Victor Banerjee, a famous film star, but in truth, the kids stole the show!! Then the physically challenged kids, the mentally challenged kids and the non-challenged kids marched TOGETHER. Their camaraderie was inspiring.
The students carried signs (written in Hindi, Bengali and English) in support of education for the 130 million children worldwide who don't attend school.
The mentally challenged kids carried signs which read:
"WE ARE DIFFERENTLY - ABLED!!!!"
The children who didn't carry signs played musical instruments. Even the police escorts seemed pleased to be part of such an enthusiastic event.
