This is a old one, I had written for PE website in Pune. Just thought of sharing it here.
Event Name: Infosys EnR – Rural Reach Program
Event Date : Thursday 29th December 04-12-2007
Location : Paragaon Khandala, Satara District.
Description : “The program was to cover 3 centers comprising of around 3000 students.Tree Plantation: 120 saplings were planted\donated. Distribution of books and food to school children”
Event Date : Thursday 29th December 04-12-2007
Location : Paragaon Khandala, Satara District.
Description : “The program was to cover 3 centers comprising of around 3000 students.Tree Plantation: 120 saplings were planted\donated. Distribution of books and food to school children”
How did it all happen?
We all reported at ENR (Education & Research) desk at 8:45 in the morning. Task given to us seemed pretty simple: to impart basic computer knowledge to school children from class 4th to 10th. Despite this and grooming from EnR, first timers like me, Vineet, Paras and Smitha were point blank, jittery but also excited at same time. Believe me!!! you need to prepare more to teach, than to give exams yourself.
We all reported at ENR (Education & Research) desk at 8:45 in the morning. Task given to us seemed pretty simple: to impart basic computer knowledge to school children from class 4th to 10th. Despite this and grooming from EnR, first timers like me, Vineet, Paras and Smitha were point blank, jittery but also excited at same time. Believe me!!! you need to prepare more to teach, than to give exams yourself.
On the way to destination:
All dressed alike, with our food boxes in hands (packed by ENR for us), we all set to take our places in buses. Just like school kids. The two hour long journey was fun filled, with loads of songs, games and scenic beauty around. As we all started nearing the village, the anxiety increased, now I could hear murmurs from everyone around, people discussing various points, illustrating on certain topics. Some body was worried of handling a class of 50 students, others of speaking Marathi. Vineet, my PA, being experienced in handling a team of us pranksters, let out a few tips on controlling the class. As we passed the fields (no they weren’t lush green, mostly dry and barren), we could see kids walking towards our centers. They would wave at us, as our bus passed by. We would also return with same gesture. It was like breaking free from the corporate and getting back to school days.
When we landed there:
On reaching the center we immediately got dispersed into various classrooms that were allotted to us. The very little that I had prepared in the bus, was taking into consideration that I would be handling 10 year olds and here I was facing std 10 classroom. To my good luck Smitha and I were in same class. We started with basics, like what is computer, different parts, its uses. Initially the class was shy, but slowly both of us started getting comfortable with each other. It was not just them who had eased out with their new teacher. Slowly even I was gaining confidence in my new Avtar. Smitha, always came up with very innovative ideas and examples, whenever I ran out my wits. Truly, without her the task would have been very difficult for me alone. And guys, I think we did a great job, since the classroom was getting more and more interactive.
As my fears started settling down, I started taking notice of my environs. The school old with roof tops and red brick walls but well built, with bright and airy classrooms, but there was no electricity. There were no decorative charts and craft items. But it had all the basic amenities required in a school: blackboard, a small shelf, chalk box, desks and benches, table and chair for teacher. There was a decent garden opposite classrooms. The class entrance was decorated with colorful rangolis.
I started interacting with students. I learned that most of them had to walk a kilometer from their homes to reach schools. They were learning computers for two years but not all of them had used them. And Laptops!!!!!!! It was like world’s eighth wonder.
In spite of very little or no exposure that they had got their answers were accurate. They all had high ambitions. A girl told me she wanted to be an IT engineer like me and Smitha, we felt all the more burdened realizing that someone as looking up to us. There was curiosity in their minds. We showed them educational movies played games, explored MS office. Time lapsed by. It was time for us to leave.
Felicitation & Humbling Experience:
The day was not yet over. We had tree plantation in store. I also tried my hand with it. We were totally surprised that the school had arranged a felicitation program for us. All of us were felicitated with coconut and rose. (to those who don’t know, giving coconut, is sign of respect in Hindu traditions). It was followed by speeches from village Sarpanch, school Principal, Headmaster, and other teachers. A few students voluntarily walked up on the stage and gave a vote of thanks. (Gosh!!! We always needed pestering to do this all our lives). I realized that they were bold enough to express their views in front of 300 odd people. We were overwhelmed by the gratitude in their speeches.
On our way back:
As the sun set on the horizon we started our journey back with our hearts full satisfaction and minds full of thoughts. In this electronic era, where 2 year olds play video games and school children carry mobile phones, these kids craved for basic computer knowledge. We buy books and never bother to read them and these kids were soaring to get hold of every piece of information they could earn. I will never forget the joy on their faces when we distributed ‘PARLE-G’ packets and bananas to them, the way they enthusiastically answered to earn a prize of two coffee bite chocolates. I will never forget the dreams in their eyes and gratitude on their faces…
It was a humbling experience…
All dressed alike, with our food boxes in hands (packed by ENR for us), we all set to take our places in buses. Just like school kids. The two hour long journey was fun filled, with loads of songs, games and scenic beauty around. As we all started nearing the village, the anxiety increased, now I could hear murmurs from everyone around, people discussing various points, illustrating on certain topics. Some body was worried of handling a class of 50 students, others of speaking Marathi. Vineet, my PA, being experienced in handling a team of us pranksters, let out a few tips on controlling the class. As we passed the fields (no they weren’t lush green, mostly dry and barren), we could see kids walking towards our centers. They would wave at us, as our bus passed by. We would also return with same gesture. It was like breaking free from the corporate and getting back to school days.
When we landed there:
On reaching the center we immediately got dispersed into various classrooms that were allotted to us. The very little that I had prepared in the bus, was taking into consideration that I would be handling 10 year olds and here I was facing std 10 classroom. To my good luck Smitha and I were in same class. We started with basics, like what is computer, different parts, its uses. Initially the class was shy, but slowly both of us started getting comfortable with each other. It was not just them who had eased out with their new teacher. Slowly even I was gaining confidence in my new Avtar. Smitha, always came up with very innovative ideas and examples, whenever I ran out my wits. Truly, without her the task would have been very difficult for me alone. And guys, I think we did a great job, since the classroom was getting more and more interactive.
As my fears started settling down, I started taking notice of my environs. The school old with roof tops and red brick walls but well built, with bright and airy classrooms, but there was no electricity. There were no decorative charts and craft items. But it had all the basic amenities required in a school: blackboard, a small shelf, chalk box, desks and benches, table and chair for teacher. There was a decent garden opposite classrooms. The class entrance was decorated with colorful rangolis.
I started interacting with students. I learned that most of them had to walk a kilometer from their homes to reach schools. They were learning computers for two years but not all of them had used them. And Laptops!!!!!!! It was like world’s eighth wonder.
In spite of very little or no exposure that they had got their answers were accurate. They all had high ambitions. A girl told me she wanted to be an IT engineer like me and Smitha, we felt all the more burdened realizing that someone as looking up to us. There was curiosity in their minds. We showed them educational movies played games, explored MS office. Time lapsed by. It was time for us to leave.
Felicitation & Humbling Experience:
The day was not yet over. We had tree plantation in store. I also tried my hand with it. We were totally surprised that the school had arranged a felicitation program for us. All of us were felicitated with coconut and rose. (to those who don’t know, giving coconut, is sign of respect in Hindu traditions). It was followed by speeches from village Sarpanch, school Principal, Headmaster, and other teachers. A few students voluntarily walked up on the stage and gave a vote of thanks. (Gosh!!! We always needed pestering to do this all our lives). I realized that they were bold enough to express their views in front of 300 odd people. We were overwhelmed by the gratitude in their speeches.
On our way back:
As the sun set on the horizon we started our journey back with our hearts full satisfaction and minds full of thoughts. In this electronic era, where 2 year olds play video games and school children carry mobile phones, these kids craved for basic computer knowledge. We buy books and never bother to read them and these kids were soaring to get hold of every piece of information they could earn. I will never forget the joy on their faces when we distributed ‘PARLE-G’ packets and bananas to them, the way they enthusiastically answered to earn a prize of two coffee bite chocolates. I will never forget the dreams in their eyes and gratitude on their faces…
It was a humbling experience…
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