Prayas ...ek koshish

Entering into the slum , a scary feeling creeped into my mind. It was the first time i was entering a community just behind my residential area. The community from where my maid also comes. I never thought i will ever go into that community. I was holding my friend's hand tightly as we were walking into the class. She was equally scared. While walking through the area we saw a small village kind of ambiance, goats, hen , and kids half naked roaming and running around.

Reaching the destination and opening the door we hear children screaming "how r u sir". This was for their favorite sir Darshan sir.I entered the class there were 10 pair of bright eyes staring at me with a small smile on their face. I was sitting there waiting for the description about Prayas and while waiting i saw a lot of kids looking at me passing a smile and then looking into their notebooks. After the class got over the kids rushed on to say- "hello didi! what is your name?" With a smile on my face i introduced myself and i asked them "what is your name" their smile got a little bigger and they answered. It was pretty obvious that i wont be able to remember all the names.After the description i came back to my home and i was very sure that i wanted to work for Prayas.

The next day was my first day of teaching and i was not nervous as such, the only vision at that time i had was that even i want that if at one point i enter the class the kids should scream for me the same way.

After few classes i got to know a little about the status and the vision became bigger with the kids getting admitted in a good school. As time passed by and the admission came closer it was a nerve wrecking situation. I was as scared as if it was my own exam. But because the kids had dreamt of going to school like any other kid, i didn't want their dream to shatter. The mere name of school use to lit their eyes. On the D day i had my 2 exams, One was my graduation exam and the other was the kids exam as it was just like my own exam. I wished them luck in the morning and the excitement on their faces was a scene. They were so excited to go to the school and study there.I then went for the my own exam but it was a nail biting situation for me that i couldn't concentrate on my own study and constantly called my fellow volunteers and was inquiring about the status there. Finally the kids got admitted and it was a sense of pride feeling for me that i couldn't stop smiling. I was waiting to meet the kids and i knew before i go there, they will come to my home meet me.

Its been more than a year of my volunteering in prayas and the experience has been really good.

I have made a place in the kids heart and both my vision got fulfilled.

I also learnt a lot while working here, that no matter what, don't sulk about what you don't have and cherish what you have and thank god for giving you this beautiful life. I have made my life meaningful. I don't want to be seen as a teacher rather i am happy that these kids call me Didi because that makes our relationship more stronger and more informal.

Children are the most beautiful gift of god and you should enjoy every moment you spend with them because that is the only time you are being genuine and can go back to your childhood.

:)