Newsletter October 2025
Dear friends of our Shanti Ananda School!
Even with a rather modest budget, a school can be creatively 'on the move' – after all, responsible use of resources is the key to a successful project.
I am happy and grateful that our teachers are self-motivated to continually come up with new ideas, which leads to a varied daily routine.In this newsletter, I will give you an illustrated insight into our colorful school life.Enjoy reading!Yours, Helga Shanti Fründt
Garden
Sometimes I remember songs I learned in school. This song from my elementary school days, which came to mind while writing this text, is by Matthias Claudius and goes: " We plow, and we scatter the seed on the land, but growth and prosperity are in heaven's hand..."These words fit very well with our gardening activities, which we kicked off this school year with the sowing of peanuts.Last school year, we planted a small experimental garden with several vegetable varieties; to our delight, the vegetables we grew were very healthy and attractive.However, it is well known that alternating varieties is beneficial to maintain a diverse microorganism population in the soil. Therefore, we chose peanuts, which are very popular here, this year.
First, the land must be plowed and harrowed, requiring a great deal of physical effort and dedication; we do this in the traditional way, using a hand harrow.
The seeds are checked and filled into containers to ensure that the plants are of high quality and healthy.
Then the children plant the peanuts in the soil. Harvesting takes place in October/November.
Neem trees for Mudigubba
Furthermore, neem tree seedlings were raised with the assistance of Mandal Education Officer* (MEO) Ramanappa, who is enthusiastically involved with us.Neem trees are very common in this country, have modest requirements, and can be used for many purposes.
*A Mandal Education Officer is the government's representative for school supervision. He or she visits schools and ensures that everything is running smoothly. There are two Education Officers in the Mudigubba Mandal (district).
The seedlings were distributed to the children on September 1st to be planted in Mudigubba, thus contributing to a greener and healthier environment.In addition to the gardening activities, we also celebrate.
Festivals
Independence Day
On August 15th, as we do every year, we celebrated the very popular Independence Day. It is one of India's two national holidays, alongside Republic Day (January 26th). It is a highlight for every Indian, and both young and old look forward to it for days beforehand.
The important and popular Independence Day was celebrated after the celebration on the school grounds (where the flag was raised in a military-style ceremony) with a rally through Mudigubba, with the children enthusiastically waving flags.National pride is very fundamental in this country...
The day before, as every year, there were games on the grounds; the prizes won were distributed here.
Ganesha-Festival
The festival of Ganesha, the elephant god who, among other things, represents a good new beginning, was celebrated at the end of August.In preparation for the beloved festival, the students made clay statues to set a positive example in the spirit of nature conservation.Unfortunately, the production of statues from chemical materials such as 'Plaster de Paris' is very common. Since the statues are immersed in water after the festival, it is important to use environmentally friendly materials.
Mandal Education Officer Ramanappa personally guided the children in crafting the nature statues.He is very dedicated, deeply impressed by our educational approach, and honors the school with frequent visits and practical activities.After his retirement he intends to become even more involved with us.
Presentation of some clay Ganesha statues
After the festivals, we get down to the 'serious business of life' 😉:
Books and more
Book Distribution
On June 26, kilos, if not tons, of books were waiting to be distributed to our 192 students.A pack of books had been prepared for each child; the younger ones received "light reading," while the older grades (6th and 7th) had to lug quite a few kilos.
Teachers and parent representatives took over the distribution; here, our volunteer Karl hands out a pack of books enough for one school year.
School Uniforms
On August 1st, we distributed the materials for the new school uniforms: green for trousers and pinafore skirts, and pink for shirts and blouses.These colors have also symbolized our school since 2006; the logo is green and pink.
On August 1st, we distributed the materials for the new school uniforms: green for trousers and pinafore skirts, and pink for shirts and blouses.These colors have also symbolized our school since 2006; the logo is green and pink.
Just like the distribution of textbooks, this activity also requires a high degree of logistics and coordination, as the amount of material for each child is different.192 bundles of material need to be organized, sorted, and labeled...
The little LKG (Lower Kindergarten) children are especially happy about their first uniform because it symbolizes a new and important phase of their lives.
Newspaper article
On August 25, a major newspaper article on the topic of nature appeared at a supra-regional level throughout Andhra Pradesh. Reports on tree planting and "hugging trees" were intended to exemplify our pedagogy.Our school and its activities are often featured in the newspapers, but this report was a highlight that makes us a little proud.The "Eenadu" had come up with the idea of using Shanti Ananda School as an example of good environmental care.
And now we come to the
School "Specials"
Sports and Games DayThe second Sports and Games Day on July 10th had been created specifically for parents (incidentally, through the initiative of the new, apparently very active, Minister of Education in Andhra Pradesh) to facilitate better contact and more effective cooperation between parents and schools, and we expanded the themes.
The children had crafted several imaginative photo walls with peepholes, much to the amusement of everyone involved.Pictured here is our new volunteer Francesca Federico: she's teaching English Phonetics at the kindergarten - based on a playful approach, of course.
This photo wall (showing me) was created in honor of project manager and music teacher Horst Wagner († February 28, 2025).He was a gifted musician who, in addition to the guitar pictured here, also mastered the electric piano, harmonium, harmonica, rhythm instruments, and others.
As part of a traditional Indian ceremony honoring parents—which is only performed at our school—the children washed their feet and rubbed them with turmeric powder; in turn, they were blessed with flowers by their parents.I, too - as the 'mother' of the school project - was honored with this great honor, which moved me deeply.
Tree Hugging Day
July 21st (the birthday of my brother and our main sponsor, Herbert Fründt) was Tree Hugging Day for the second time.All the children had the opportunity to hug some of our 3,000 trees and connect with them.This way, even the youngest children experience a sensual and meaningful interaction with nature.
To mark this special day (connecting with and protecting nature), we later walked through Mudigubba with students and teachers to inspire people to take more action to protect nature.
The main theme of the rally was 'Ban on Plastic Bags Less than 20 Microns'.
We visited several authorities along the way to emphasize this request and presented a petition.
Officials (Mandal Praja Parishat Office) promised that a ban would be imposed soon.
Mother Earth with the Garbage Monsters
Mini Project Weeks
The first mini project week (September 18-20) of the current 2025/26 school year was themed "Maintenance".During these (mini) project weeks, the children work in mixed-age groups, giving them the opportunity to gain different social experiences than in a classroom setting.Older students occasionally act as "teachers"... Our students love project weeks because they offer them more freedom.
The school library underwent a thorough overhaul.
The 6th and 7th grades had previously taken a field trip to the Mudigubba Public Library to learn about filing systems, cataloging, etc.
The newcomers were shown how to use the toilets; teacher Anasuya explained to the girls how to use them carefully.
Teacher Riyaz was involved with the boys. Of course, they also got hands-on and cleaned ...
Teacher Zahrunnisha explains to the group how a compost pit works.
The recently planted peanut plantation - which has grown tremendously since sowing 😊 - has been weeded.
So, that's it for now!
I hope these insights
have given you a glimpse into
our diverse activities.
Shanti Ananda spreads the wings
to the people of the village.
Shanti Ananda spreads the wings,
We will be a model nearby you.
Yours, Helga Shanti Fründt
Contact
Shanti Ananda School Website
Shanti Ananda School on Facebook
Donation Accounts
FCRA account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
40043801956
IFSC: SBIN0000691
General Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Andhra Bank, Mudigubba Branch
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
185410100193769
IFSC: UBIN0818542
German Donation Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Anahata Stiftung, Munich, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
BLZ: 700 205 00
IBAN: DE72700205003751241124
BIC: BFSWDE33MUE