In Mumbai (Bombay), Dongri Municipal School and Diamond Jubilee High School for Girls participate as counterparts in MelJol's Twinning Program. Most of the children at Dongri Municipal School are from adjoining slums and low-income housing project. Jubilee High is an English medium school serving a middle class population. The participating tudents are in class VII (seventh grade) ages 12 and 13 year. Here's what school authorities have to say about the MelJol experience.

Ms. Ashalata Praful Chandra Oak
Principal, Dongri Municipal School, Mumbai

"The MelJol program has been running in our school for the past two years and it is making a big difference. Our students belong to the lowest income groups, speak very little English (the school is Marathi medium) and have few opportunities to step outside their worlds.

"The contact and interaction with the girls of Diamond Jubilee High School has given them some wonderful exposure: not only have the many activities and field trips allowed them to visit places and do things they may have never have done otherwise, but the fact that they are interacting as equals with these English medium girls has been a tremendous boost for their self-confidence.

"Before these meetings, they thought girls like these would be snobs and they never believed they would get along as friends. MelJol encouraged the two groups to exchange views, understand each other's lives, talk about common interests and passions and learn to respect their differences.

"I do believe that the what the students learn from these interactions stays with them throughout their life. The other great thing about the program is that the activities enable our students to contribute as equals.

"Academically, our girls may not be doing very well, but they are skilled craftspersons and artists. So when there is a joint function, their talent for murals, paintings, diya (traditional clay lamps) making, etc. are in great demand and appreciated. This too helps to place the relationship between the groups on the same footing.

"MelJol is definitely helping to break down social barriers among young people."

"The interaction and activities help them to understand the other. They become more sensitive about each other and suspicion and hostility is gradually replaced with admiration, respect and affection. And one hopes that they will retain these qualities even after they leave school and engage with the outside world."