You think taking the bus to school is annoying? Well in Western India, 61 teenagers have no choice but to swim to school!
If these teenagers want to learn, swimming is their only option but these students insist that the swim is worth it as the education helps them rise out of the poverty in India where at least 700 million people must live on less than $1.25 per day.
The students carry their books and papers along with a change of clothes in a plastic bag or floatable jugs as they cross the Heran River. In some places the water is shoulder deep.
Girls then change into dry clothes in a small changing room while the boys change on the riverbank before the students then begin the 4km walk to their school.
The school’s principal says that the teens are very determined to get to school, and have even crossed the river in heavy rain which causes dangerous currents.
The school has asked many times for a bridge to be built but until then they continue to support the students by forgiving them sometimes being late to class and allowing them to leave early when the weather gets bad.
What do you think, would you make the swim?
Article written by D Mulhern
8 Responses
I would do anything! Unless the water was icy…
that is sad but i think the bridge should be build faster
no!
Woah! I would try. It might be kinda fun? Everyday x2 swimming across the river with your friends.
India is quite hot so it would actually be nice if the water was icy
That would be fun
No way. God help them! :O
i would make the swim