Compassionate School - DLF Public School, Ghaziabad

“Preparing caring, courageous and concerned citizens – of the world, for the world!”

                                                                                                -              DLF Public School Vision

As part of building Compassionate Schools Network across India, we kicked off the first session namely, ‘Stars of Compassion’, a program for school children on Empathy and Compassion designed by the Charter For Compassion, India, that took place at the DLF Public School, Ghaziabad on 9th October, 2018. Facilitated by one of the Charter for Compassion members based in Delhi NCR, Ms. Rakhee Sharma, an experienced Mindful Leadership Coach and Global Goodwill Ambassador, this session was attended by a group of around 27 student leaders from grades 9th-12th along with school counsellors. The session was very well received and appreciated by the students, teachers as well as the leadership team at the school. These student leaders will further cascade their learning to the student body. This was a critical first step towards establishing a shared vision and the beginning of a  long-term association between  the Charter For Compassion, India and the DLF Public school. From our interactions, the wonderful shared vision of a city wide initiative “Compassionate Ghaziabad” program has emerged, which is being spearheaded by the school, in collaboration with the Charter for Compassion team.

‘Stars of Compassion’ Session Overview

“So what do you expect out of this program today, what are you ready to give in and take away from the session?”. This question from Rakhee was good enough to kick off the free flow of ideas among a group of 27 students in the age group of 14-17years at the DLF Public School, Ghaziabad last Tuesday. Further asking them to get in touch with a happy moment in their life helped the participants get in touch with their emotions, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s body and taking ownership of it.

Videos, Games and Activities helped in clearing doubts connecting participants to the four primary emotions. This led to the understanding that everything we feel is essentially a derivative of these four emotions, post which, the participants were engaged in a privilege game. In a circle formation, participants took a step forward on an affirmative answer to the question being asked, leading to distances and spaces emerging between them. An introspection followed about what they felt at that point in time, helping children to understand their position of privilege.

Participants openly spoke about and shared their emotions such as guilt, helplessness, anger, frustration connecting with their own lives and immediate circles. It was encouraging to listen to various ideas and witness the resolve of student leaders to make an impact around them using compassion and empathy as vehicles.

Using the tool of Empathy Map, an activity of triads, wherein participants played the roles of an interviewee, interviewer and an observer, we  brought forth via stories, an array of emotions that led to a deeper connect amongst students.  By understanding the importance of the gift of presence, participants went beyond their comfort zone to share, listen as well as observe.

The session concluded with a dialogue on the importance of Circle of Compassion and Interbeing. Emphasizing on the interdependence in the circle of life as well as the need to understand that only compassion is the tool which can make each one of us live and feel complete, ended the session touching the participants deep at various levels.

What the students and teachers had to say...

“This was the first session where I was asked what do I want from the workshop. Every time it is what the instructor wants me to teach. That was an intriguing factor and I loved it. Most of the conferences we go to, we are shown a presentation, flowchart but here it was about sharing.”

“We often confuse between talking at intellectual level and wholesome level, between thoughts and emotions but the session helped me distinguish between the two. It was a wake up call in many ways. We are really looking to the next session at the earliest.”

“Compassion has to start from oneself and then only it can encompass everything around. The session brought forward various perspectives such that compassion wasn’t an abstract concept anymore, it became relatable and children could share and bring about various experiences and perspectives.”

“Plantation of seeds of compassion has been done by today’s session. Seeds are sown and fruits are to be born. We all see a shared dream of seeing compassion around us, I hope we are able to take this forward together...” - School Counsellor

The way forward

An idea is as good as it is implemented and sustained properly. Possibilities are immense and together we need to move towards the bigger goals and vision.                                                                       

• To ensure that program reaches and benefits more students, future sessions to be planned to include more student leaders apart from Empathy Managers / Council of Compassion at the school. (special focus children).
• Teams are working together atop create a sculpture of a Tree of Compassion, a symbol that stands for the school’s commitment towards this agenda. This is planned to be unveiled on 29-Dec
• The school’s annual event in April would mark the announcement and kick off of the Compassionate Ghaziabad project and would include activities and dialogues to identify and sign up for the Compassionate Ghaziabad project