First UU Church Houston Funds Unitarian School in Tynring, Khasi Hills

Creamlimon, one of the newest board members of ICUUW, told us that the greatest need of UUNEI was for support of one of the elementary schools which was about to lose its funding. They were searching for financing for Tynring School, an elementary school serving 150 students and that it would cost about $2,700 to fund the school and its teachers for the coming year.

Creamlimon is the Chair of the Education Committee of UUNEI where, as a volunteer, she oversees the administration of 36 elementary schools, 8 upper primary schools and 3 secondary schools. The census done a few years ago estimated the Unitarian population in the Khasi Hills at 15,000. Rev. Parriat estimated that number today is closer to 20,000 in 42 churches. The schools have been a primary mission of the Unitarians from the onset of the founding of the church there. It was an indigenous movement in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India founded by Hajam Kissor Singh in the 19^th Century. When the Rev. Margaret Barr moved there in 1936, she opened the first school and not only taught students, but “made it her aim to provide teacher training for a free, non-proselytizing education in rural areas of Meghalaya, as advocated by Gandhi.” In the 1980s Lucie Meijer of the International Association for Religious Freedom obtained a grant to support the schools after her visit to the Khasi Hills. However, when those funds were gone, financing became difficult and continues to be. When UUA President John Buehrens came and saw the condition of schools he extended help. However, when the UUA’s relationship with IARF stopped, all UUA funding for schools stopped and since then individuals and congregations have come forward to help.

Why does the Indian government not give the schools funding?  Education in India is supposed to be compulsory and free for all up to the age of 15. The reality is quite different, however, and schools exist on very little support from the government and come to rely on non-profit support such as that provided by UUNEI. This is part of the social service program of the Unitarian Union. Only about 50% of the schools receive some government aid and then it may only be a few teachers on staff who receive salaries. It is common for only some students to receive textbooks as well. UUNEI is no longer building new schools but concentrating on improving the quality of the schools that currently exist and improving the curriculum framed by the state.

The literacy rate is higher in Meghalaya than in all of India in both rural and urban areas. This difference is even more pronounced for females. Further, the highest rates of literacy are found in the East Khasi Hills where most of the Unitarian congregations are located, indicating that these schools are having a positive impact.

When we arrived home from our trip, the travelers from First UU Houston met and discussed what action we might recommend to our Church Board. We agreed that the church should try to raise the funds to support Tynring School. We met with our Senior Minister, the Rev. Daniel O’Connell and Assoc. Minister the Rev. Adam Robinson who helped us put together a plan and worked with us to support the project.

One of the attractive elements of this project for us was being able to tell our congregants that $20 would support a child in school for an entire year. We began with a plate collection in November and then an information table set up in Fellowship Hall after services. Over the course of the next month with the help of small collections and a few angel givers, we reached our goal and have sent the funds to the school for the coming year. We hope this is the beginning of a new partnership. Rather than have the support of just a few people in the congregation, we are looking to ways to involve more congregants in partnership with the school in future.