Mumbai reporting
All first are very memorable, aren’t they? If yes, then Mumbai has had a very memorable past few weeks.
First recruitment drive. First volunteer. First newspaper coverage. First fund-raising activity. First class. *sigh* and soon first college fest.
After the very successful recruitment drive, a journo from the DNA decided to visit us. He was late and hence the photo shows very less number of people. (By the way, interviews were still going on and half of the core team was sitting in the interview room)
As of for the first class, this is what few of our volunteers had to say and I’m sharing it with all of you.
By Neha Sharma
Happy that I was with the way life was going,
Friends, family and me. The fun wasn’t diminishing,
Until destiny put up its show,
Opening my eyes to misfortune!!
I saw them before my eyes,
Every bit of them waiting for me to hold their hand,
To take them to a different level of pride,
To educate them and let them be one of ‘us’
I decided as a youth,
I would do what it takes and give whatever I have,
To inherit in them values and morals,
And mould their destiny…on the path that I pave…!!
I decided I will MAKE A DIFFERENCE….
I will stand up for what is right….
I decided I will educate one child….
Don’t you think it’s your turn now…to fight without fright….!!
Was nervous at first, but had a little bailing of confidence, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, the task that was set before me…..We reached the centre at around 2.00 pm. Lectures commenced. Introduced myself to the very welcoming and lovely group of girls that I was allotted n the rendezvous began.
At first I thought they wouldn’t get accustomed to me that fast… but then it so happened that their warm nature surprised my wit…I easily got to know them better as they introduced themselves.
First day went out well…we did a lot of movie talk…which was obviously a favorite topic with everyone…
Everyone attempted to speak in English…At first they were hesitant but then eventually they had to give in and open themselves up…I came back home happy n satisfied…because the first day of my effort to teach them something wasn’t a loss..Simple n shy they were but they were curious to learn more….to be one of us…today I proudly said…
I M MAD!
N I m bringing it on………..MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
By Anusha Thakur
When I reached the school, I was pretty nervous…did not know how it was going to be…or how would the kids respond… (The usual beginners’ nervousness…I guess).
Five of us were given a classroom and the kids started entering…smiling shyly. So when they settled, we started with the introductions…proceeding with the ice breaker section asking them about their favourite ice cream flavour…movie…actors…chocolates…etc etc… They were too enthusiastic…and were responding to our questions very well… All of them being from class 2-8…we divided them into 2 groups, i.e. according to their classes…1 being from class 2-4 and the other class 5-8. Rishie and I had to teach the latter group…comprised of 10-13 yrs. They all looked keen to learn and were waiting for us to begin…We started with spellings…they knew quite well…Even if they were wrong and we corrected them…they answered again with the same enthusiasm…the passion to learn could be seen in their eyes. We also taught them how to read few English sentences and use them in their day-to-day lives. At the end of the class…we showed them an Rs10 coin which they were really excited to see. And just before the class dispersed, they stood up and said ‘Thank you’ (which we had taught them)…looks like our efforts are already bearing fruits
By Akshay Panday
Difference, what does that word mean to you? A new hairstyle? A new cell phone? A new pair of jeans…. Or something else that’s irrelevant? If that is NOT your definition of difference then please read on, because I have revised my definition of difference and its time you do the same…….
Difference is when you see a group of young eight to ten year old children sitting in front of you with just one HOPE…..of learning that one simple language that differentiates them from the so called ‘privileged world’……that one language that has kept them away from all the opportunities they could have ever utilized…….and it’s the language in which I am writing to you in…….now if this is how simple it is for us……it’s equally difficult for them…..
and so I went for my first class as a teacher…..and trust me guys, it’s just a different feeling altogether…..they were as small as 7-8 years with that innocent expression and the HOPE of learning something from us……that the time I realised what I and our volunteers meant for them…..they had this expectation from us because English was not just a language for them, it was that bridge of knowledge which they wanted to construct……
it was really sad to see that the children in standards 8, 9 and 10 could not even spell four letter words or even read a sentence at one go…..and it is because of this reason why individuals who are educated in other languages are still considered illiterates, that is the power of English….I then realized the responsibility that I had upon me…..however the enthusiasm and energy that they displayed to learn was much more than what I displayed as a kid for the same reason……
I felt extremely honored and lucky enough to be a part of this noble cause, because at this juncture this is what the society needs……it needs more and more educated youth and today I took the first step in achieving this goal and believe me guys…..the feeling that you get once you step out of class with the children leaving the room with that same HOPE of learning more in the next class, cannot be put in words…
now this is ‘difference’……as I earlier mentioned, this is why I have revised the definition of the word DIFFERENCE……because for me it’s no longer just a word ……it’s a feeling that can help me to change a person’s life……
this difference can be made by all of us…..we just need to unite and imagine what a difference each and every educated youth like you and me can make in the lives of all these children who really need us…..MAD – you are doing an amazing job, hope our vision of ‘bridging the inequality in society through education’ will come true one day…….proud to be a part of MAKE A DIFFERENCE – MAD.
GO MAD 
This is becoming a long post, eh? What to do? It has been one hell of a time and things are just beginning.
Sorry, if this hasn’t been a good write up. It is almost 4am. I was really excited to share ALL of this with everyone… MAD Mumbai has finally arrived
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