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A grocery store owner has been providing free education for slum(贫民窟) children under a bridge in India for the past seven years.
Rajesh Sharma, 45, noticed the hardship faced by children living in the slum area of New Delhi and was driven to do something after he himself was forced to drop out of college for not being able to pay for his studies.
Sharma runs lessons from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. every day for nearly 200 children whose family can’t afford to send them to school. His subjects include English, Hindi, science, mathematics, history, and geography. There are no seats and no tables. There is only one concrete wall, which is part of the bridge itself.
“I was walking by and saw the poor children playing in the dust and mud when this bridge was under construction,” Sharma told reporters. “I spoke with the parents and asked, ‘Why don’t you send them to school?’ They said, ‘ We want them to be educated but we can’t afford their education and the school is too far.’
With no government funding, Sharma’s “school” relies entirely on public support and donations(捐赠). People donate books, uniforms, shoes, and food on a regular basis. On Saturdays the students play cricket, football, badminton, and other games with donated sports equipment.
“I love this school,” says a 15-year-old student, Pappu. “I come here for studies and to draw.” He walks two kilometers every day to reach the school. For Sharma, his day does not end after his lessons. The grocery store owner often goes straight to his shop where he works until 10 p.m.
Which of the following words best describe Rajesh Sharma?
Caring and busy. B. Rich and smart.
C. Famous and educated. D. Hardworking and brave.
Why did Rajesh Sharma drop out of college?
He had to run the grocery store. B. His college was too far from home.
C. He couldn’t afford to pay for college D. He was teaching at the bridge school.
What can we infer from the passage?
The local government pays for the school equipment.
Children from slum areas enjoy studying with Sharma.
Sharma was too busy teaching to look after his store.
The parents of these children do not value education.
