Square Mile students improve health and education for hundreds in India with #DMUglobal!

Students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have made a huge contribution to the health and education of students in Indore, India, thanks to their activities on a #DMUglobal trip.

The students, who are part of the university’s community outreach programme, DMU Square Mile, visited Daly College and other schools in Indore to build washrooms, improving basic living standards for hundreds of schoolchildren in the area, particularly girls.  

An absence of washrooms has been linked to a higher rate of girls dropping out of education in India, due to the lack of privacy.

The students got stuck in with construction work by getting involved with mixing cement, plastering, and the build itself.

Forensic Computing student Sherine Herrera found her experience in India truly memorable.

She said: “I think I’ve found myself as a person a bit more after my time in India. Seeing poverty first hand opens your eyes to the opportunities that you have at home and the memories stay with you forever. 

“Actually going there and being around the locals helps you understand their culture and in particular their work ethic.

“We also interviewed a lot of girls at other schools that have had similar projects to see how it’s impacted on their lives. 

“I developed a lot of skills during my time in India.

“It wasn’t building like you’d think of at home with big machines to do everything for you, it was much more basic. It was definitely a lot of hard work, especially with the heat, but I’d do it all over again.”

Jess Bogic, who works with DMU Square Mile, said: “After going out to Indore and seeing the schools which were lacking in toilet facilities it made the trip feel even more important.

“We truly felt privileged to be a part of an amazing project with Daly College to build washrooms in government schools to give the young girls a safe and private environment to use.

“Meeting the young girls in the school and hearing how important and life changing the washroom would be to them was incredibly rewarding and special to experience. 

“The DMU students worked tirelessly to construct the washroom in the government school in Indore during the 10 day trip.

“Their hard work and determination was incredible to see and from that one washroom alone each young girl in the school will benefit. 

“This was the first trip out to Indore to build a washroom. 

“DMU Square Mile and #DMUglobal are planning the next trip for the spring term in 2016.”

Students have been able to benefit from opportunities on campus, in the UK and overseas since #DMUglobal began in 2013; helping students develop skills sought by employers around the world, including teamwork and adaptability.