The Grade 4 students from St. Lawrence High School and Junior College visited Dhanlaxmi Prathamik Bal Vidyamandir to celebrate Gratitude Month with a program that combined kindness, learning and community sharing.

The event opened with a warm welcome and an introduction by two young hosts who explained the core values inspired by the school’s founder: helping others, caring for the earth, and always being thankful. A lively children’s rhyme brought smiles and applause, followed by a short skit in which the visitors performed scenes that illustrated the founder’s lessons.

Health and safety were central themes. The children learned practical, age-appropriate ways to stay clean and healthy through games and demonstrations. A teacher then spoke in Marathi about personal safety, explaining the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch and teaching three empowering rules for all children: say “No,” run away, and tell a trusted adult.

The hosts at Dhanlaxmi made the visiting students feel especially welcome and praised their confidence and kindness. The school’s disciplined procession, accompanied by a spirited band, added a festive air to the visit. Dhanlaxmi students were delighted to receive new books, stools, charts and snacks — small gifts that created big moments of joy as they used the stools and explored the books with enthusiasm.

Before the program closed, two students delivered a warm Vote of Thanks to the principal, teachers and students of the host school. It was a day that exemplified the power of simple gestures — sharing stories, tools and time — to teach gratitude, promote well-being and strengthen community bonds. The students returned home having not only taught others but having learned that generosity and safety education can change lives, one small act at a time.