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 10th 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
Photos by Faizan Baksh
