First Day @ Youth for Seva

I was deciding this since a long time.....finally started with it now!!! ( This meant by writing my first blog !!!)

Last weekend, was probably, one of the shortest and the most beautiful weekend that I have had for several reasons!!

I was wanting to start with some kind of activity...which could be of some help from me towards society. It could be anything then...may be helping out old people...or being to a spastic society..or teaching kids....I was more of intrested in taking up the task to ....teach. First reason being, I would love to spend my time puting in the best....for education, which our country lacks the most....and secondly, it would be a real nice and wonderful experience being with kids !!!

It was since long I planned to do it.....only untill this sunday when, I actually started with it. It was Sunday morning....actually afternoon...I had my brunch and started towards..Koramangala NGV...This was the place, where we were supposed to meet. I had discussed this with few of my friends...and even they were willing to start up with this.

So we three, Suneet, Malini and I headed towards NGV....where we met Rohan, a volunteer of Youth for Seva....he explained..what would be the kind of activity. It was going to be like tutions for kids from Std 2 to 9. The major subjects which we could cover were, Maths, Science and English. Opposite to NGV....Viveknagar Slums are there....We walked through the small 'gallis' from the main road for about 10 minutes and reached a Municipal Community Hall. This was the place where we were supposed to teach the kids. The room, seemed to be quiet well constructed, and I felt glad, that there is atleast a place made, which can be utilized for the best of it.

The timings for tutions were about 3 to 5. We had been there by 2.50. There were about a group of 8 to 10 volunteers. This is a Teach India Initiative Project..which is what I found from them. I kept observing each and every thing in the room. As we entered...the room ...there were several wooden planks.....kept...which I had thought could be used as tables as well as chairs for the kids.....Slowly the kids kept coming in... within the small room, and soon it was filled with more than 25 kids.

The best of expressions...which relieves all kind of tensions....can be found through smiles on faces of these kids.....!!! Seems to be so true. Some were shy, some were too naughty, some were talkative...and some kept on staring....at all three of us...wondering...who these new people are...?? Most of them were curious enough to ask our names.....after having an informal introduction...we stared with the classes....

Every person could take on 2 to 3 kids...I preferred taking up with older ones...as it was difficult to communicate with the younger kids...due to language constraints....most of them understood...Tamil...and I did not know, even 'T of it!! Better would I start learning that too.... :)

Shalini came to me....a 8th standard girl...and said..."Didi I want to learn English" . I was more than happy....to see her....with the books she held in her hand....a slim and slender looking female...with an amazing spark in her eyes....which showed up, how enthusiastic...she was to learn.....I had a initial chat with her....and we started off with an English poem.....She was not too fast....to pick up with the things...but she seemed...to be a slogger...one who wont stop until.....things are done....its a killling attitude and I simply loved it.!!!....She had beautiful and neat handwriting , which really seemed like pearls rolling down on the lines of her book.
A bit hesitant to speak....with ...but within few minutes...she did became very active in the participation.

Sooner Mohammad followed in and joined us...tall and lean...with big eyes and absolutely mumb......he just kept on staring...when I started asking him certain questions.....he just used to stare..it took me more than 15 mins to make him speak. He too was from Std 8, we continued with the poem and and did the exercises. I felt like completely lost into those 2 hours, as if I have returned back to school. Some of my school memories flashed back...and gave me a beautiful glimpse...of the phase I had been for ten years of my life....!! How wonderful it could be!!

By 5 we finished with the class...and thought of arranging some games for the kids...we jumbled up certain words...and started with a quiz competetion.....divided kids into groups....and started with the game...The same room..had now filled with voice and noise of so many kids...some shouting..some laughing....and some of the vibrant and brilliant kids not leaving a single chance to answer the questions. At 5.30...will dispersed.

While returning home...as usual....many thoughts started pondering into my mind....I could not find answer to all of them, but what ever experience I got for last 3 hours, was one of the best of its kind. It gave me immense satisfaction and joy......I gave nothing...but had got many things in return!!!!