India: New Marist Elementary School in Talit

A lack of education, a lack of schools, and a lack of government support. These are the challenges faced daily by the Santal, an indigenous people in India who live near Talit in West Bengal. By building a new elementary school, the Marist Brothers aim to address these issues at the heart of the community. As early as 2024, a Marist project, “Education and Training for Santal Children and Marginalized People,” was launched here. Originally started as a pilot initiative, the results the following year were so remarkable that an expansion is now being considered to reach even more disadvantaged children and youth.

More than 180 children have already acquired reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, thereby breaking the cycle of educational disadvantage. In addition, subjects such as Bengali, English, and computer skills were taught to facilitate broader participation in society. Furthermore, 100 women completed vocational training in tailoring, which promoted their financial independence and self-reliance.

To further expand the project, the local Marists now plan to build a new elementary school for the equivalent of approximately €25,000 and are reaching out to the global Marist community for assistance.

Our association is also collecting donations for the project. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks in advance with a sincere “God bless you.”