Dreams, Dreams and Dreams

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After the wonderful conversation with Pruthvik and his mother, we were more than delighted and excited to meet the next child to speak about his experience and aspirations in life.

That is when we headed to Chethan’s house. A short but sharp boy with dreams to reach out, he was excited and looking forward as much as we were. In conversation with him we realised that, it is not about the destination but the journey, the journey of this little boy walking towards his dreams. We met him and started the conversation about his education, career and asked him how helpful our foundation was. That is when we understood, Chethan is an enthusiastic and eager child. 

He has finished his 10^th and looking forward to join Pre University. Further talking to, the situation with him was similar to that of the other children we spoke to, he vaguely had knowledge about the career choices he could make, what suited him best and what choices would help him shape his career. Chethan was counselled by Mr. Santhosh, for him to understand his strengths and weaknesses for which he could choose his further path in career. That is when Chethan decided on taking up commerce stream. Beyond this vagueness one thing was for sure the spark in his eye to know more, study and overcome it. He lacked guidance, someone to explain him the choices that he had. His parents do their best to provide him education but they too lag behind in knowing the current opportunities. His father is a Tailor and Mother, a home maker. He has a younger brother who is very intelligent and bright in his studies. They want their children to study well and reach greater heights for which they are ready to work hard, to meet the expenses of their Children’s education. What really caught my mind was the fact that they were so supportive and willing to do the best for their children. They said that they want their children to lead a better and secure life, which is the dream of every parents.   

What difference has Spoorthi foundation done? The reply was that it has done wonders by both Chethan and his mother.He had switched from Kannada medium to English medium school, which was a great challenge for him, coping with subjects and in addition to that was the English language. He shared with us some of his initial day incidents at school which he can never forget. On the first day of his school his first class was mathematics. When the teacher took the class, everything was alien to him, he was worried and scared. But then he met the team of Spoorthi foundation, who promised to help him. He wanted study and understand all the subjects, which is why he showed interest and attended all the sessions conducted by Spoorthi foundation where some of the other children of his class would make excuses to not attend the classes. 

As time passed he started picking up and understanding the lessons being thought in class, with the help of his mentors of the foundation. He very well recalls how Mr. Santhosh made mathematics fun, and how history lessons by Mr. Kushal turned the battles and dynasties of history into stories that could easily be understood and the dates could be well remembered.

His mother throughout the conversation had a broad smile on her face reflecting how she felt contended by his son’s improvement. Her mother said that the reason for his progress is Spoorthi foundation team. She said all the areas which he found it difficult to cope. She also told the team that she wants to see her son converse fluently in English. For which we suggested him to start practicing and attend classes in the weekend which we conduct for improving the speaking skills.

The short fall from our side, which Chethan pointed out just like Pruthvik and his mom was that the foundation should have stretched their hand out for help a little earlier, which could have made a better impact for them.

The whole conversation ended on a happy note, motivating us to do more and keeping up to their expectations. When the children’s eye look up to us with expectations, wanting us to be their guides or mentors it really becomes a great responsibility from our side. Eventually that is was inspires us to keep going and do more for the children.    

Article written by Sahaja Bhargavi
Photos by Faizan Baksh