Volunteer for a day @ Teach For India

I just happened to meet some fellows for the prestigious and noble 'Teach for India' campaign. It was such a great thing interacting with all of them. It felt as if they are following their passion and doing something noble at the same time. They all inspired me and I said I would like to volunteer and help out if I could. Thus one fine morning I headed out to a municipal school situated almost 30 Kms from my campus where I was studying. I was excited and much looking forward to it as it was to be something different that I was going to do. On finally reaching there I came across a huge compound and then found the building and ran up 3 flights of stairs and here I finally arrived at the class I was supposed to be at. It was Class II (my memory fails me as to which section it was). Nevertheless my friend introduced me to the class and said she is your teacher for today, it felt a little weird on hearing the word "teacher" at first, but then it struck me that's the role I was going to have to play out for the rest of the day.

My friend then announced that I am going to be taking their maths class, ( Secretly I think he was happy that he could actually take a breather in the mean time, but he knew not then that it wouldn't happen). They all looked up at me curiously and incredulously (like how we would look if we saw someone new not from our office hang out with our boss). I really had thought it no big deal to teach some tiny kids multiplication and division. Ha! Much mistaken I was. What I had failed to realize was that kids are impatient. And before I could even start the assignment these kids were all over the place, jumping here and here. Making noise, playing catch catch right in the same room! And I had to call my friend right back and he told me to be stern with them, no problem! I tried my best, coaxed a little, motivated a little. Finally I got at least a lot of them to finish their work.

Then at lunch time I got them some chocolates and stationery for the kids in the class, they seemed so excited at the prospect of new things. Such cute innocent little buggers, all surrounding me waiting expectantly, surprisingly well behaved suddenly. Finally I gave them their due. All in all, To say the least it was an awesome experience. It was a lesson in Patience, innocence, simplicity and passion for spreading good. I was inspired. At how much change can happen but at the grassroot level. Kids at this age are so impressionable and if there are some good folks to teach and guide them,  it goes a long way. Education is such a medium for mass effects almost, changing society through changing human behaviour. It is thanks to my friend completely. He is now almost nearing the end of his fellowship, fundraising now for a project of his for his school. I wish him luck, and all the people like him, who are working for improvement and change, and contributing to society, and want to continue doing so.