Simon (Uma Nivas, February 2007)

  I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a month at Uma Nivas earlier this year and can honestly say that it was a unique and fascinating experience.

I had travelled in India for several months previously but I feel that the time I spent at the school - and the friends I made - provided the most unique cultural insight I gained throughout my trip.

Didi Vratiisha was a wonderful host and did everything in her power to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. The children and other staff at the school were extremely welcoming and very excited to learn in new ways.

Their warmth and generosity of spirit really made the whole experience worthwhile and taught me much about Bengali living and culture which I would have been extremely unlikely to encounter without becoming involved in such a project.