9th Standard

I live and go to school at the Siloam Boarding Home in Thirukoilure, India. Owned and operated by the Arcot Lutheran Church — an Indian, Dalit-led church body in the state of Tamil Nadu — Siloam serves about 700 girls between first and 12th Standard. Siloam is the largest LPGM-sponsored boarding home.

My favorite activity is dancing. Many boarding homes offer classes in both contemporary and traditional Indian & Tamil dance styles.

In the Indian Caste system, I am Dalit. "Dalit" means "broken/scattered" in Sanskrit, and is a term used for people belonging to castes in India who have been subjected to untouchability. In the past, Dalit people were believed to be impure, so dominant-caste Hindus considered their presence to be polluting. The "impure status" was related to historic occupations that were considered to be "polluting" or debased, such as working with leather, disposal of dead animals, or sanitation. [via Wikipedia]

English

Ramya 7th grade, Aruna 4th grade