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MANY teenage girls look forward to celebrating their monumental sweet 16th birthday with a coming-of-age party, wearing a designer dress and opening stacks of presents.
However, Celine Vaandrager isn’t like most girls … as she spent months leading up to her big day collecting money to sponsor a teacher in India.
The sweet 16-year-old St Christopher’s School student sponsored an Indian teacher’s salary at the Mahadji Shinde School in Wanawadi, Pune, to teach less fortunate children English.
The schoolgirl who lives in Hamala had her heart set on giving back to the global community but at first couldn’t decide which charity to get involved with.
A month before her special birthday, big-hearted Celine broke the news to her family, friends and classmates that she didn’t want any presents but instead would like monetary donations to put towards her own charity project entitled ‘No Nation Without Education’ after hearing about the plight of street children in India, an issue close to her family’s heart.
She became aware of a teacher called Anita Pandurang Narke looking for sponsorship to help teach English in a school from a family friend, Kalpana Sharma, who lives in India. Pune is the ninth largest metropolis in the country and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, the capital.
Celine said: “My aim was to provide the school with an English teacher to teach the children so that they could gain a gradual understanding of the language, which will help them later in life and provide them with greater opportunities.
“My initial target was to raise BD518. I staged assemblies at school, organised bake sales and even had a collection box at the front of my house where anyone visiting could place a donation.”
Her efforts were so successful she pulled in a staggering BD1,300, which has paid for Anita to teach at the school for a year.
“This is a great opportunity for the children and Anita. A while ago her dad was diagnosed with cancer so she decided not to marry in order to look after and support him. She was unemployed but now she has a job which is great because her entire family is dependent on her salary.
“I wanted to do this because I know how fortunate we are. I felt like I wanted to give instead of receive on my birthday.”
During the spring break in April, Celine visited the school with her mother Wendy, 41. She said: “Going to the school was a life changing experience and very emotional. We also brought 65 kilos of basic English books for the children and stuffed toys for the primary school children.
“Some of the children had never seen a soft toy before so it put a smile on all their faces. It was a life-changing experience and one I will never forget.”
A charitable board of governors financially supports the school by providing students with uniforms, notepads, shoes and one free hot meal a day. This is the only hot meal many students get as 80 per cent of them live in neighbouring slums. Around 60 per cent of the children have only one adult carer and 10 per cent are orphans.
“Some of the fathers are alcoholics so the home environment is not conducive for education and can sometimes be dangerous. They lack basic education and the only language they learn is the local language, which limits their opportunities later in life. Even the supplies the children get are usually old and worn out,” added Celine.
“I think that everyone should be aware of the work they can do and charities they can help with. Even the little things like going out on your bike to collect money or starting your own charity, you always have to dream big but keep your feet on the ground. Be realistic but really try your best.”
Giving is second nature to Celine who grew up with a mother who takes part in yearly designer sales in support of children with autism and helps fundraisers such as the local charitable organisation, Helping Hands. Her dad Jaap Vaandergar, 52, a mechanic and hydraulic engineer, an investor, an entrepreneur and now the honorary consul of the Netherlands in Bahrain, has also played a role in charity work in the kingdom and internationally.
Her twin siblings Jacob and Willemijm, who will turn 12 in June, and sister Charlotte, 13, have supported her during her initiative. However, perhaps the most influential, was her grandfather Jaap who lives in Holland and has opened his heart to the schools in India.
She added: “I was inspired by my grandfather who has done a lot of charity work in India. The day after my mother and I visited the school I sponsored, we went to see some of my grandfather’s projects. He worked with the Rotary Club in India to provide water pumps and bathroom facilities for 35 villages in Pune.
“He also helped build a dam and has been sponsoring many underprivileged schools. Unfortunately he was not there when we visited India but we had the honour of donating 50 desks, of the 400 desks he bought, to a school where the students are all orphans.
“We also went to a school where the students were all beggars from the streets and lived in the slums. The school was set up two months ago and already the children can speak basic English and have an understanding of computers. They showed us their work and gave us an incredible performance!”
What’s next for Celine? By the time she turns 18 in March 2015, her goal is to have built a school in India. She added: “We are looking to build the school on the outskirts of Pune and it will be open to all ages. It will focus on teaching English and computer sciences.
“We are looking to have about 200 students and five teachers. I have already had a lot of help in raising the money for this cause and at one point a generous benefactor even donated 3,000 euros (BD1,455).
“I want to be a part of the building process and be there when it is done. My parents have been extremely supportive and so have my friends and school.”
Fiona George, head of year 11 at the school, said: “It’s amazing what Celine has done but it doesn’t surprise me. I have known her since she first came to the school and she has always been caring, always thinking of others.”
To help Celine accomplish her dream of building a school, visit www.nonationwithouteducation.org
