Halfway between Bhuj and Mandvi in Gujarat is Veerayatan, a school that was originally set up to provide education for children affected by the Gujarat earthquake in 2001 (measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale) in which over 20,000 people died and 1 million people were made homeless. Currently this campus has expanded to include a vocational training center, residential hall, medical facilities and both Gujarati and English medium education for children that had lost both parents, a single parent, or those children whose families could not afford to send them elsewhere for an education. The campus is administrated by a whole host of talented and committed staff such as Mataji (Sadhviji Shilapiji), a dynamic Jain nun who also lectures extensively on an international basis about Jainism and non-violence. 
Several years ago at a YJP (Young Jain Professionals) conference, I had heard Sadhviji speak about Veerayatan and the work being done there. Dev and I decided to spend some time volunteering at Veerayatan in any way we could. We showed up and took on the tasks on helping write a proposal and translate some website and brochure documents into English. Also working at Veerayatan were people from England, various parts of the US, Bihar, as well as local people. It was fantastic to see such energy towards grant development, teaching classes in various subjects, running a NGO on a daily basis, and working to meet children's emotional, educational, mental, and physical needs.
And the kids! Almost immediately, we were surrounded by curious girls and boys ranging from ages 7 to 14 calling me 'Didi' and Dev, 'Bhaiya'. 
For some reason, they all thought I was from India, and Dev was from America...that is, until they heard my accent! All the girls kept wanting to know how Dev and I met and whether it was a love marriage, and all the boys talked to Dev about cricket! Some things are constant round the world! In the short time that we were there, we spent a lot of time with them, either in the computer lab, playing with and just talking with the kids. When we talked with some of the staff members, we learned that some of the children had had very traumatic experiences from the earthquake. One had been buried under the rubble of his house and could hear his mother screaming for help, but couldn't help her, but today he was smiling and very happy. Other kids maybe had not lost parents, but were not suited to formal education and so were being encouraged to learn useful vocational skills so that they wouldn't be left behind their peers. Veeraytan was alos providing training for adults in such skill areas as weaving and graphic printing. When we left, the staff presented me with a lovely hand woven piece of cloth.
Here are some of the children at Veeryatan- they loved getting their pictures taken!
We also got a chance to see the new campus at Rudrani which has a sizeable Kutchi population. I got to practice the few words of Kutch that I know: Keiyano (how are you!)
-Smruti
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