Sri Lakshmi Nursery & Primary School

Sri Lakshmi Nursery & Primary School is out in Ariyanayagipuram, near Sankarankovil. It’s a rural part of Tirunelveli, so things are pretty calm most of the time. Our school is mainly for the younger kids, the nursery and primary ones. That means the noise levels are usually high but in a happy, chaotic way. We spend a lot of time tying shoelaces and making sure everyone has their lunch box. The building is a simple one-story structure with a small yard out front. We have some swings and a slide that have seen better days, but the children don't seem to mind the chipped paint. The ground is mostly dirt, so their uniforms are usually a bit dusty by the time they go home. Inside, the rooms are small and we keep the colorful posters low on the walls so the kids can see them. We don’t have a big office or a reception area. If a parent needs to talk, they just come to the door and we have a chat right there. It feels like a small family because we know everyone in the village. The mornings start with a simple prayer and then it’s just the sound of ABCs being recited. We don’t try to be anything we aren't. It’s just a local school for the neighborhood kids to get their start in life and learn how to be around others.