Eureka: the school that teaches children to 'dream big'

"Once the emergency was over, we asked people what they were in need of, and they told us: "We need hope", recalls Giada Bono, who has worked for the Sella group for 23 years (many of which in India), and was personally involved in this project since its beginning. "We learned it was necessary to think about a long-term solution, that could reactivate the communities. For this reason, we focused on education and built a school that could become the beating heart of the entire community. Not just a school but a real community centre that could provide initiatives for its students, their families and all active stakeholders in the area".

'You never get used to a child's smile'
The school project was implemented in partnership with Aid India: a Chennai-based non-profit organisation that has always supported social change and community development by promoting quality education for all children. 

For the past 18 years, the Sella group has been actively involved in countless initiatives to finance the school's activities, often thanks to the direct involvement of its employees. Indian colleagues provided their valuable knowledge to students and their families, thus organising events and fundraisings. In addition, Italian colleagues have supported the education of hundreds of children, through long-distance adoptions or charity initiatives. As a result, Eureka has been able to expand its reach and offer a wide range of initiatives overtime, including workshops, trips, sports, cultural and exchange programmes with other schools. 

For Italian colleagues travelling to India on business, a visit to the school is a regular stop. Alessandro Colombo, who visited the school in 2011 says: 'It was a touching experience that gave me a lot and made me realise how much the small actions of individuals can contribute to making our world a better place'. Gianluca Frascino, who visited Eureka a few weeks ago, commented: "The love and passion of those who run the school is tangible. The eyes of the children looking into mine, made me remember what is important: they moved me and, looking at their happiness, I wondered why it is often so difficult for us to be happy. The Indian colleagues were also enthusiastic: you never get used to the happiness and smile of a child".

Redefining the rules of traditional education
The climate at Eureka School is a direct consequence of its educational approach. It is an ambitious model that inspires children to reach their full potential. The teachers not only help students develop their academic skills but also work tirelessly to build their confidence and make them aware that they can achieve anything and everything. 

Lessons are in English and designed to be interactive and engaging. The collaborative approach, developed through practical and group activities, focuses on skill acquisition rather than exams or grades. Rewards and incentives are used instead. This method is so innovative that it 'redefines the rules' of traditional education, as the title of a compelling educational video from a few years ago says.

This method places great value on extracurricular experiences and involves teachers, students, families and the entire community in growth paths, in line with the evocative cyclical philosophy of the Indian culture, where celebrations mark the end and, at the same time, the starting point of every project. 

"Our greatest satisfaction stems from demonstrating that all children have potential gifts that, if properly nurtured, can yield great results. It is truly a triumph for humanity to see teachers always present and involved and children travelling miles to attend school and learn within an environment where education is not a priority. Although there is much work to do and costs have increased, we are determined to keep moving forward. Nobody can stop us," adds Giada Bono.

"With skills we also gained self-confidence"
Many schools inspired to better their educational offerings prove the Eureka School method is effective. Numbers prove it as well: over the past 18 years, 90 students have moved on to study at secondary schools and 50 are now attending university.

Hemanth, 22, who was among the first to attend the Eureka School in 2007, now pays for his engineering studies by working at the maintenance department of a company. "The Eureka School years were amusing", he says. "Learning was fun and along with skills, we also gained self-confidence".  Swetha, who later graduated in computer science and is now employed at a government office in Chennai told us: "At Eureka School, they taught me that I could learn anything if I put my mind to it, so I plan to continue studying and updating my skills,". Dilliganesh is now a computer scientist and loves maths. "I feel lucky to have studied at Eureka School," he tells us. "The teachers handed me down their passion for numbers and made me believe that anything can be learned if it is handed down with passion."

In the past few days, the Sella group has made a new donation to upgrade the school premises following the latest regulations set by the Indian government for school facilities. Additionally, the Group is launching a new charity initiative among its employees to continue the path of collaboration that began 18 years ago and maintain the strong bond between individuals, which has always been a hallmark of this project. "Beyond the Group's institutional commitment", says Marco Carminati, Sella's Sustainability Manager "over all these years, the involvement of colleagues, both in Italy and in India made the difference. Their participation is the driving force behind the true success of the initiative and, at the same time, it is the best way to ensure its continuity in the future."

Meanwhile, almost 5000 km away from home, Lavanya is preparing for the final exams, representing her chance to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. She certainly feels a little anxious, as such a big dream does not come true every day. However, she is not afraid. She learned at the Eureka School when she was a child, among other things, to be confident in her assessments. The school taught her that the most important thing to do to best prepare for the exams, both at school and in life, is to remain committed, have faith in oneself and that giving up is never an option.