Day 11: Moving towards the Big Day

One day to go. Preparations are in full swing here. Since the break of dawn, everyone is hard at work.  Tomorrow is a big day not only for the school but for honoring the donors and people who 10 years ago made this Sankul possible. It is because of these people that we have the opportunity and place to educate and expand the minds of these kids and allow teachers and students alike a home where they work together towards a greater goal. From preparing the campus, to cleaning, to getting the performances on stage for a final dress rehearsal everyone was busy throughout the day.

I was up early and made sure to get to breakfast for my last one with the kids. I knew tomorrow wasn't going to be like a normal day so I wanted to make sure I made my last real one the best. I had my last prayer time this morning, which I thought would be my second to last but the evening was so busy that prayer time was cancelled in a very rare occasion for the night.

I taught and overlooked the kids painting the external ornaments and ran back and forth helping where ever else I could. Later in the day, I helped Sofiya Didi and Ridhi Didi with giving out the girls their dresses for the performances and making sure they fit. At 5 pm, a final dress rehearsal run through was scheduled for all of our performances which included, four dances by the girls, one pyramid and talent act by the boys, and a music show, and a skating act by the boys. To say I'm excited to see them perform tomorrow is an understatement.

Teaching the boys how to repaint the exterior pieces and statues.

The girls waiting their turn during dress rehersals.

 At dinner I made my rounds before eating with the kids. I walked around on the boys side and sat with a few different groups on the girls side and just talked and laughed and joked with them trying to make my last few times with them the best possible and well spent.

Final Dinner!

When dinner concluded, I headed back to the hostel and went and hung out in every girls room or at least stuck my head in, so they felt like Didi came back to their rooms before I left tomorrow. Also selfishly so I could make sure I saw every single one of them before I went and that no one was left out. While the many of the younger kids were busy making sure the hostels were clean, many of the older kids and staff were still working late into the night. They were putting ribbons on each and every door on every building, doing rangoli at school and at the hostels, putting up flag banners, preparing the plates with all the Pooja ceremony necessities and putting them at each door and so on. 

Dorm rounds

 

 Once again I was going back and forth since I didn't want to miss anything and then I just I hung out with the kids and teachers and those are some of my favorite moments from my time here. Just sitting, getting to know them, laughing, talking. We are from different countries, different backgrounds, different towns, yet what we sometimes forget is we all have talent and ability and our own stories. Some of us are given the tools to unlock that potential but each of us has some talent or ability and it is up to those who can help to help remind the kids that they can do great things if they work hard and want to. And to also support and let the teachers and staff know that they are valued and that they are doing not only a great service to these kids but to humankind by educating others.

Everyone has a story, it's about taking the time to listen and get to know their story, and help propel them towards the story they want to continue to create. You all have been reading my stories and experiences but I just wanted to take a moment to remind people as tomorrow is a day to celebrate the school that it is really about the kids and the teachers that take care of them. These are kids that want to be farmers, Prime Ministers, engineers, doctors, mechanics, collectors, pilots etc. They each have dreams and hopes, and potential. I have stressed upon them that no career is lower than the other, especially when done with the right intentions and purposes. I have had kids tell me they want to be a farmer softly while their friends stand there saying doctors and engineers etc and my response has been that they are the most important people. They all look at me perplexed; if there aren't farmers to grow food, who is feeding you? Will there be mankind without food, will doctors and engineers matter? Because who will feed the doctors and engineers and will there be people to treat and help? The same kids who were quietly speaking now have the biggest beaming smiles, they were just told they were important, and the doctors and engineers just re-evaluated those who didn't want to be doctors and engineers. Yes doctors and engineers are very important but so are others! Each job and person is important, some jobs may be of more importance than others, but each one plays a necessary role in society. So next time you think that oh they are just this or that, think again and think what we are teaching our kids. Teachers in both the US and India and other countries have low pay grades and often are not as valued jobs in the eyes of society, but have you ever stopped to think that our society values engineers and doctors but who makes them engineers and doctors, who teaches them to be engineers and doctors or any other profession? Teachers.

So as we celebrate the school and the building and those who donated to make this incredible place happen, let's not just remember them but also those for who we created this place. A place where kids come to learn, grow, and develop. A place where they can study, they can play, and try new things and have limitless opportunities. A place where teachers and staff passionately and tirelessly work to help give these kids the best education possible. A place that was created of brick and stone but has built hope for kids and families and the future of our society. Let's acknowledge and thank those who made this place possible tomorrow and also thank those and acknowledge those who are working to make these kids dreams possible, the kids and staff. Without those donors this school would not be possible and without the kids and the teachers their goal would not be achieved; we bring it all together as one to keep pushing towards better futures for these kids and all kids that come through Shree Vijapura Vidhya Sankul. One does not work without the other, together however we have created hopes, dreams, opportunities, and a school that has endless possibilities for students.

- Aekta 

A quick PSA

If you are checking back and haven't seen any new updates lately, I have several posts left. Between the finals days, the 10th Anniversary celebration, and travel, I haven't been able to post them yet. They will continue to go up these next few days.

Thank you for reading and keeping up with my experience! Your support and feedback has been invaluable! 

Keep checking back for some more blog posts! 

- Aekta

Day 10: The beginning of the lasts and preparations.

My hands were filled with Mendhi (Henna) last night so I wasn't able to post. All the girls were doing mendhi in preparation for the festivities on Sunday. All the girls were putting the mendhi on for each other including the teachers and vice- versa, it was so much fun. And the girls were doing it free hand like it was their job, so pretty! Krupa and Palak each did one of my hands. 

The girls doing each others mendhi.
(Can you spot me?)

So talented!

My mendhi! Krupa did the hand on the left and Palak did the hand on the right.

The day was another fast but exhausting day. With so much going on, it was all hands on deck. The kids are putting so much effort into helping prepare including making flags to hang, banners, to decorating the exterior and interior of each building. Decorating their own classrooms however was probably their favorite part. It became a competition between each class and if you weren't one of the class members then you weren't allowed to enter. The kids were making murals on the wall, cutting things out of paper,  and hanging decorations. They were taking such pride getting things ready especially their rooms and the mural outside of their room. 

Decorating outside the classrooms

The clsss I helped with, proud to say I only helped with
 the coloring and writing. The boys free hand drew this themselves.

9A girls decorating their room.

The finished product.

Classes have been unofficially been suspended until after the celebration, all the kids are involved in some performance or preparation like painting and putting things on the building. 

They stapled each flag on the line.

Dr. Padhiyar and the team working together to hoist the lines.

I had my last class today, 9-A and 9-B. Each day I have built more confidence in what I was teaching and how. While I was still nervous each day, it was no longer because of me being anxious but it was now because I wanted to make sure I was getting my point across. I have enjoyed teaching while I was here and am already making plans of what I will teach when I get the chance to come back.

My 9-A and 9-B class today. My last class for this visit.

As the preparations continue, everyone keeps getting busier and busier building up to the festivities on the 28th. Signing off, lots of work to be done. 

Two days to go and I don't want to even think about leaving.

- Aekta

Day 9: Merry Christmas from Sidsar!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I was up bright and early and one of the first into school today, while the other kids were finishing up breakfast. Brinda, Deev, and Krish (look I remembered names!) were doing a surprise Christmas dance for everyone at the end of regular prayers this morning. I had worked with them yesterday and they wanted me to be there to help them get ready along with Vidhi Didi and Sofiya Didi. We were hard at work putting on their beards and mustaches of rue (cotton) and making bags of red towels and chunnis. I have to say, the kids here are so creative and energetic about it. They found red and white clothes from their friends to make them look like Santa. And they got candy to throw out to the kids from Dr. Padhiyar's stash. The three of them did their own dance to jingle bells and it was so much fun, not only in the morning but the day before and getting ready for it. Watching them perform and helping them get everything together, made me feel like a proud big sis.

Sofiya Didi, Brinda, Krish, and Deev wrapping
fake presents before school.

Their dance to Jingle Bells at the end of Prayer this morning.

Me and the kids! I mean me and my three Santa Claus'! 

Today was another day of controlled chaos. We were busy cleaning, painting, setting things up, practicing  and doing anything and everything that was needed. The kids especially enjoyed it since so many kids are involved in different things, no one was left in classes, so from fourth period on, everyone was practicing or cleaning or helping out or playing with their free time in the school courtyard. 

A little fun on Christmas Day, there was an art contest for all the kids who wanted to participate. There were two categories, Christmas themed and free draw. I can't emphasize enough how talented these kids are, not only in the classroom and various things but in the fine arts. The winners were not announced yet, or I missed it in all this hustle and bustle but all of them did a fantastic job. 

Lastly, since it was Christmas Day, dad and I decided to get the kids a little something extra. We ordered 600 perk chocolates for the kids and staff as a little something fun and yummy to show how much we love them and just as a little Christmas treat. 

Dr. Padhiyar gave a nice speech at prayer before we handed them out at the end, and then had me get up and speak. I didn't know I was going to otherwise I would have prepared something and been much more composed, but I had to keep it short since I got too teary. I thanked the kids, teachers, and especially Dr. Padhiyar for giving me this opportunity. At the end, the didi's ended up crying so I did too. Two days to go and it's already this hard, I'm not looking forward to leaving Sunday. 

Bhayavadar for the night to catch up with some family, but I'll be back at Sidsar bright and early in the morning. 

- Aekta

Some of the drawings the kids did for Christmas,

(All done by the kids including being busy decorating their classrooms all day)

One of the classrooms in the middle of being decorated.

Day 8: Controlled Chaos

Today marked the day where controlled chaos began. On December 28th is the Mahotsav Karyakram, 10th anniversary celebration of the school. Teachers and kids are hard at work trying to balance both learning and classes along with the long preparations for the celebration. It is a big deal for the community, and while the preparations are going. life continues, just at a faster, no time for break pace. Since it is on campus it means we have a lot to do. 

Sofiya Didi and Ridhi Didi have been hard at work preparing four dances with the girls and are practicing almost every free moment there is in the day and even before and after school. Amit Bhai is helping with the boys skating program and the other talent showcases. Deepak Bhai and Sarju Bhai are working with enterances and the NCC (the national cadet corp). And countless other teachers are helping prepare performances and getting the place ready through arts and crafts and decorations. Some of the kids have some amazing talents with free hand drawing and other skills. All of this lead through the guidance and hardwork of Dr. Padhiyar and unnoticed behind the scenes work done by countless people but especially Kevin Bhai. And everyone is busy cleaning and setting things up from the cleaners, to the teachers, and the kids. It honestly is a team effort with no down time. Today the campus was so alive it was almost overwhelming but it was also beautiful how everyone was doing their own part but coming together as a whole. And free time, activity hour, or reading time was taken over by practice and rehearsal. Short post today, I'm exhausted as well from the dance practices, teaching class, coaching the girls, and all the other little things. But I can't wait for the 28th, not for the celebration but because I can't wait to see these kids perform and these teachers and kids hard work pay off. 

Being here in all this fun, had made me forget even about Christmas until the kids reminded me today. Merry Christmas Eve! 

As for tomorrow being Christmas Day, the school is in for a little surprise, a few of the kids came up with a little something special and I have been helping them rehearse all day. I can't wait! 

- Aekta 

Girls hand-drawing borders for the boards.
They would do them super fast and so pretty!

Boys practicing their talent acts.

Boys practicing their entrance cymbals with Deepak Bhai. 

Day 7: All I ask is a fair chance for girls.

I love this country and am proud to be of Indian heritage but days like today bring me back from cloud nine. 

We as women have come a long way in India, from Jhasi ki Rani, to Indira Gandhi as our third Prime Minister, to Marshaben, a female is one of the tops marksmen in Gujarat in rifle, Anandiben is the present Chief Minister of Gujarat,  some of the top hires from google, yahoo, Facebook etc are brilliant young women from IIT in India this year, but these few examples are the rare examples. We still have a long way to go. 

The day was off to a great start from shadowing Binal Didi in the morning since she teaches English to the older kids; I wanted to see how it is taught here and thought I could be more helpful in those classes than history or Hindi etc. Since today was class picture day I got to spend one class with the 9th Standard kids where I would converse with them in English by asking them questions and them having to respond, and then a few follow up questions depending on their answers (while their teacher was helping with pictures). I later helped kids come up with a proposal (for an activity they wanted to do), to take to Dr. Padhiyar (which they later ecstatically told me got approved!). I also got to go horse riding with the kids today which they do right infront of the school on the open grounds; two horses are brought on campus for the kids to ride. And then I helped Ridhi Didi and Sofia Didi with the dance preparations for the 28th. Immediately after that, I had my class, today with 7th-C and 8th-C; aside from the little things kids do in any class, it was a good class, we discussed mostly attitude, confidence, and the difference between education and literacy. 

However, the highlight of my day was going to be taking all the girls down to the huge open football medan (soccer field, remember soccer is called football here) across the school, to teach them how to play football and maybe play some cricket. 

I had gotten permission to have the girls play for two days, but yesterday the girls had gotten pulled into different things like going to the gausala, computer lab, dance practice etc...which is fine, because school first and extra fun second. The girls were sad yesterday that they couldn't come learn, they all want to learn football from me, but I explained that academics comes first and that I would not allow them or come talk to teachers so they could get out of class. 

So, as you can tell, I was pretty excited today, because I was assured that nearly every girl would be able to make it and I spoke with the proper people to make sure the equipment would be out there and the field would be ours. And to say I was excited was like saying I was the coach of a World Cup match, and the girls were as excited as if they had waited all these years to play in that match today, they were 10x more excited than me and I was pretty darn excited.

When we got there, the older boys were playing on the field so I went and tried to kick them off explaining that we had the field today and that we needed the soccer ball too. They refused and complained that they never get to play. These boys are the same boys I played with and have also heard they have played at least two other days after that on their own. Here I was asking for one day, one day for the girls. I wasn't asking them to give it up for a week or a month or forever but just the 1.5 hours of activity time that day. They only gave in when the PE teacher came and told them it was mine, which also resulted in arguing and complaining. 

Fine, I got the field cleared for the girls which was already supposed to be ours but now I had about 145 girls and one soccer ball. Previously we has discussed and agreed about getting plenty of soccer balls and cricket bats and balls for the girls to play with and here we were with just one, which I had to argue for. While I asked multiple times after getting to the field for them to get out more gear they wouldn't; but the guys complaining on the side who wanted a ball to play with, brought out another soccer ball with permission. At this point I was not a happy camper, one, it was the girls day, two, I have been discussing and asking for gear for the girls to play with not just then but for two days and it wasn't there today, and on the field when I asked nicely I got no response. So I ended up splitting the girls up in half and setting up racing for them and about 60 kids playing soccer, that's with one ball of course. Which is absolutely ridiculous. 

So when the second ball came out, I insisted the girls get the second ball too, after all it was their day and it was definitely needed to have even just one more ball. 

However with the boys on the side complaining, the teacher argued that we should give the boys one. I disagreed but it didn't really matter. So halfway through I decided that instead of having 90% just standing around because of the lack of equipment to allow them to play Coh (and Indian game like we would play red rover). For the those who want to play football could continue but this way the other girls can play and have fun, instead of just being there and not being able to really participate. When they started, the girls were kicked off by the teacher because we were playing Coh on the football field and the guys had moved to the other extra space in the back, because "we were just wasting the football field when the boys were on the side". Again I disagreed, we had no equipment or balls to play so we reverted to this. The girls were disappointed as well they weren't able to play soccer and settled for Coh, had we had the equipment promised, we would have been playing soccer. But it wasn't given and my point of the day was to get the girls out there and just moving, with the intentions of through soccer, but since that didn't pan out, I didn't want them to not enjoy the time and not be active. 

Today was a day for the girls. 

Girls in India don't have the same luxuries as their counterparts from the beginning of time. Boys can get an education, girls can't, boys earn the money, girls stay at home, boys can become doctors, engineers, and so on, girls should probably stay home, boys can play sports, girls can't. Girls have been raised with a mindset of you can't do this, you can't do that, and it's only for boys. Yes, I understand our culture and our beliefs and in some things the separation or different roles of both are still present, but I am not asking for a total end to that. I am asking for a fair chance for the girls to learn, to experience, have the opportunity to realize that my world doesn't start and end with the word "can't", but I can do things and I can do them well. 

Everyday the boys are out playing cricket, football, and volleyball and each day I see the girls using their activity hour either in the hostel, lab, doing homework, on the playground or at most a handful playing badminton. I wanted to help get the girls moving more and also see that they can learn and play sports too. I was hoping that through my example and teachings, that they gain a little confidence in themselves, in the fact that they can do things too, and that sports isn't only for boys. I am not here to change our culture or beliefs, I am here to encourage these girls, to empower them, and to show them that girls can be whatever they wish to become and they can do things like play sports. 

Today I was disappointed not that I wasn't able to play with the girls but that I wasn't able to bring them a step closer to learning that. I was disappointed that the girls were so excited and eager to learn that I wasn't really able to let them play. 

Sometimes being in India seems like time-traveling, where you are from the future and you are in the past. I understand that some of the things I do here are a taboo and I'm breaking a few barriers, like playing soccer with the boys but I respectfully kept my distance and made sure not to bump into them or things like that, I converse with the male teachers about school, and I once in a while sit with the boys at lunch to get to know them and their stories, but I try not to cross the line with anything. Within our culture girls are secondary. We are considered Laxmi Matajis (an Indian goddess) and worship her, and call India our motherland, yet we don't see our actual girls and women in the same light. 

Yes, I hope I am able to change just a little of how our girls are able to develop here, not just as a student but as an athlete, an artist, a dancer, as a person. These are our daughters, our sisters, our cousins, our mothers and if we don't teach them and show them there is more for you then just school then are we doing our job? Before it used to be just the kids and the kitchen, for some it has become school, but why can't we teach them more, why can't we build their confidence, why can't we allow them a fair chance to learn not only in the classroom but also on the field? The thing is, we can. It should be our responsibility, those who know better, those who can, to not standby this. Yes, it is a slow and fragile process here, but if we want to as a school to keep going in the right direction, forward, why can't we allow our girls to move in the same direction with us and lift them up to the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead. But how can we move ahead when those who are supposed to lift them speak in disgust that the girls are coming towards the field giggling. No, they might not know how to play. No, they might not be good once they try the very first time. But yes, we should give them the fair chance to try and play. Yes, we should teach them how to, especially when they are this eager to learn. And yes, no matter what,we should help instill in them the confidence that will spill into all aspects of their lives and that as girls, yes they can do it too. 

The girls on their own went to Dr. Padhiyar after and talked and requested more time and explained what happened; tomorrow from 5-6 pm the ground is supposed to be ours. I'll let you know how it goes.

- Aekta


*Edit/Addition: While I have stated my distain for how things were handled, the unfairness towards the girls that day, and the necessity of change in mindset as whole for our entire community I would not like anyone to take away from this a negative impression. These are my opinions and my feelings and thoughts about the day and about our society as a whole; further more an urge to open the eyes of people and show them that change and progression is still fiercely needed for our women and girls.

SVVS, while falling short that day, provides the girls (along with the boys) opportunities to learn and experience karate, rifle-shooting, horseback riding, computers, swimming, hiking, debate, arts, dance, and so much more. There is also a girls sports area in the making, which hopefully will be put to good use by the girls (I believe with my whole heart that it will). My point is, girls have the capability and right to learn and grow not just in the classroom or in their societal duties, but on the sports fields and where ever else they desire to. Lastly, not only should they be able to, it was made clear that these girls had the desire to learn sports and try. We should make sure (and we now are) actively that we are allowing them the same opportunities consistently. 

Day 6: First day of teaching and Gausala

Yesterday, the kids went trekking in the morning behind the school to the Shankar Bhagwan mandir. Unfortunately dad and I missed it, but the kids and teachers were so excited about it when we got back! Partially cause it was trekking and so fun and partially cause it's channia bore season so the kids got to pick them fresh off the bushes as they hiked. They had their fair share of thorns in their hands but I don't think it really even mattered to them because of how much fun they had. 

Today Dr. Padhiyar and I met and he explained to me what he wanted me to teach. Starting today, I began teaching an hour class under the basis of psychology and how our minds works and how we should train it. Today I had the 7th Grade A and B classes ( I had about 50 girls and boys), I took them to the open grounds in front of the school for a change in scenery. I taught them what psychology is and what it means and the word's derivative from Ancient Greece of psyche (soul/mind) and logos (the knowledge/study of). I went on to speak about the three personalities, introvert, extrovert, and ambivert. I also explained the conscious, sub-conscious, and unconscious. Since it was the younger kids today, I didn't go too much into the actual psychology but continued with values and the meaning and importance of confidence. The biggest topic was however positive and negative attitude and how it affects everything and that was the topic that tied all the points together for today's lesson. It was nerve-wrecking for the first few minutes, I'm used to coaching on a field not usually on the academic level by myself and that too pretty much all in Gujarati, mostly the nerves were because I didn't want to mess up. It was fun, hard (7th grade boys are the same world wide haha), and rewarding, especially asking the kids what they learned in the end to go over the class lessons and them connecting a few hard English words and remembering them and understanding concepts, I was happy. Tomorrow I have the 6th graders and I'm excited.

Girls waiting for the tamarind to be handed out.

I was supposed to take all the girls to go play football (soccer) and cricket at activity hour today but all the girls got pulled into different things. So Dad and I went to the gausala (the cow dairy farm) with a few of the girls, which we had wanted to go to since the first day but hadn't had the chance to go yet. Five of the girls had to take pictures for the Pooja and another 45 or so tagged along and were elated when they found tamarind on the trees which Chetnaben, Manishaben, and Dad along with a few girls pulled off the trees and distributed to the rest of them. The girls' day was made. 

The school's gausala is located about a quarter mile right behind the campus. Each day's milk for the school is provided fresh by the gausala. The kids go there every once in a while, but it is run by people the school has hired to take care of the chores, milking, and the gai (cows) themselves. Dineshbhai and Purshotumbhai oversee the dairy and the workers. The dairy also grows a lot of it's own feed at the farm and also uses the dung to as fuel when cooking, so most of the different things are recycled and put to full use. It was a fun quick trip to see the gausala and also to talk to and get to know the people who put in the hard work to do the things that we don't even usually think of actively. 

10th and 11th girls after the pooja. 

At the gausala.

Sarju Bhai and Me!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and starting to feel sad as today was the beginning of my final week here. 

P.S. I got to go on the mini-zip line they have at the playground here today! And the food is always good here but the daal at lunch was extra yummy! You would have enjoyed it! 

- Aekta 

Day 5: How can we not fix it?

Let me tell you about this amazing thing that happened. Every year despite Dad and Vasu Mama saying no to presents from the housekeepers at our hotel, they always get them a little something for Christmas. This year among themselves, they collected $300 to donate to Sidsar, as a present to Dad and Mama. These housekeepers often struggle to make ends meet for themselves and their families and it is the slower season so they don't make as much; when they could use those few extra dollars for a Christmas gift for their kids here they are collecting three hundred dollars for our kids.  When dad told me, I was blown away to nearly tears. People in the US who don't have much and those who Dad and Mama are trying to find ways and give extra bonuses and different things to so they don't have to lay these people off, are trying to raise money for our kids here in India. These people who might not know where India is located let alone where Sidsar is but they still want to help. How incredible is that?

So how can we as a community and country not fix this school and other schools? Our Indian education system is broken but this school we can fix. These kids we can help. These teachers we can support. 

When you come to the Sankul you are taken back, for us kids in the US this place is like paradise. There are palm trees, lots of open space, and white buildings. The facade is there but are the things that really matter there? I don't think so. 

Hostels, there are often 10 kids to a room. Yes that's 10. They have a bed, a blanket, and a pillow. They have one small clothes hanging rod and a shelf to keep their personal things. The bathrooms aren't clean, forget using them, you don't even want to walk by them, let alone walk into them. And the kids have to use these on a daily basis. Why are we putting them though that, we can do better. We need to do better. 

It's a boarding school, so a majority of the teachers live there too. But the teachers lack their own separate living area. They live in the hostels right along side the kids. This has it's pluses with being right by supervising but also the teachers don't have a place to call their own to relax or just even have a break. The rooms are right in the hostel with no different or extra amenities. They sleep in the same type of rooms, the same small beds, use the same bathrooms. I personally think this is one of the biggest needs, to take care of these necessities for the teachers so this is a place where they also enjoy being. 

The school has it's own needs to be tended to, while it is beautiful and has ample rooms, the finishing and use of the classrooms can improve. What we have as common things in the US, doesn't exist here. The chemistry lab full with dangerous chemicals, doesn't have a single glove or glasses to wear when using the lab. So kids and teachers here are handling the chemicals and other items without any safety measurements or any washing stations for an emergency which we have in every science room in the US. These are the type of things that need improvement, especially when it comes to the safety of these kids and teachers. We should not be happy with meeting the standards of here, we should be meeting our own standards. 

I have been sitting in classes for three days now, observing teachers and their techniques. Overall I think the teachers are doing a great job with how they are teaching and what they are teaching. There are always things that we can improve and change a little to make it even better or do some thing's that they might not have thought to do before. But I don't think that the passion and ways of the teachers are a struggle. The teachers here are so giving and passionate and conscious of their ways, it is motivating. 

Now we should not just teach them but give them the proper facility and tools to learn and grow. 

The more and more I see and learn, the more and more I see needs to be fixed. This school is like a beautiful, young, healthy person, with pretty clothes with who has cancer. You don't see it from the surface but if you open it up and look closely it's hurting inside. But is something we can treat, something we can fix, something that can go on to live and thrive for generations to come. It is a place that can go on to positively impact kids and teachers and their futures for years to come. And these are the kids that if we give them these right opportunities that will go on to do great things and leave a positive mark on society. 

So you tell me, how can we not do everything we can to help give these kids the best opportunities possible, by fixing what is broken and bettering what isn't? 

- Aekta 

Day 3: I've fallen in love.

After activity hour ending at 6 pm we are heading to Rajkot for a day to take care of some work. One day, that's all we'll be away and already driving away my heart is wrenching. I don't want to leave, I don't want to miss a moment, I don't want to leave the people. On the way out some of the girls I've gotten closer with are in charge of doing prayers tonight asked to make sure with smiling and eager faces that I'll be there and I had to say I won't be able to be there tonight and I'm telling you it hurt. It hurt that I was missing it and it made me realize how much I already love this place and the kids and staff. 

I am head over heels in love with this place, and when I say this place, the structure and setting is beautiful and all but it's the teachers and kids that hold the strings to my heart.

After I was played volleyball with the boys, I was walking by some of the younger kids playing cricket and one of them ran over (forgive me, I am absolutely horrible with names but I'm managing to pick up a few, but I remember their faces), and said, "Didi, we're doing the skit we practiced last night tomorrow morning!" (I was there with them when they were practicing as a group and I have to say Masta Che!) And I had to disappoint them and say I won't be there unfortunately, and four hours later here I am still thinking about how I missed the girls turn tonight and I'll miss the boys skit tomorrow. But I know they will do great! I told them both to do an extra good job, and I'm already waiting to ask them how it went when I get back. 

It makes my heart melt when they tug at my arms and call me Didi or when the boys follow me around to the field cause they want to watch me play or want to me to play with them. It makes me melt when they fight over what class I need to go to or where I need to sit. When they find me they always ask something about the US and learn a word they were wondering about and when they follow me wherever I walk on the soccer field even though the older kids are playing and they can't, but they want to learn about soccer and the rules I'm teaching. How can you not love this place?

In the morning when you are tired from the day before or not a morning person (I am most definitely not a morning person),  and walk into school for prayer time and everyone is there smiling, no matter how cold or how early they've been up, it is mood changing immediately. Teachers who do everything there and play multiple roles, always working in most cases over 16 hours a day when you add it all up, are always smiling despite their own troubles and worries. They smile for these kids, they are genuinely happy to see them and are passionate about what they do. They sacrifice so much and yet you always see them with a smile. Dr. Padhiyar is so dedicated that he works for 20 hours each day and you might think I'm exaggerating but I'm am not even in the slightest. The staff goes above and beyond to make this place what it is, somewhere the kids enjoy being, are loved, are taught, are taken care of, and educated.

So when I tell you I am in love with this place, don't get mistaken, this place is pretty great but it's the people here that I love, the teachers, the staff and the kids, every single one of them. 

- Aekta

Day 2: Starting to find my way around.

(This wouldn't post last night so posting it today)

Today started out like any typical day...for them that is. 

Many of the kids are up by 5:45 for PT (exercise) even in this cold weather. It is amazing the kind of discipline and program they have here. They then get ready and are at breakfast by 7 am. There is one to two things for breakfast and teachers only have the additional privilege of chai. After a quick breakfast they grab their things and head to the school for the morning prayers which take place at the school lobby. 

It reminded me a lot of chapel which we had everyday at our school, it had prayer, public speaking, and acknowledgement. Here even in the morning they have prayer, news, jokes, even skits and it is all led by the students. They also did a great thing in calling forward the birthday kids that day, presenting them with a card and a balloon and having student of the days who were chosen and wore pins and were acknowledged. It is all a great concept, especially the birthday acknowledgment and happy birthday singing since for the kids this is their home away from home. 

Morning prayer time 

After the morning routine, dad and I stood in the middle of the school courtyard and chatted with Dr. Padhiyar while kids lined the outdoor corridors and were given their biweekly test, today it was Gujarati, the next test is Computers. As this was happening the younger (grades 1-5) day school kids filed in off the bus to put their things away and partook in a shorter version of prayers for them. 

Kids taking their tests.

I then went around and sat-in in class rooms and just observed, and helped a little here and there if the kids needed it. The first class I went to was Social Sciences with Dishaben. She used the smartboard to project the book and also was great at using mostly Gujarati but interjecting English words or phrases like winner and for example so that the kids start picking it up. Then I went to Jinkalben's 6th grade/standard English class were they were learning the simple past tense. They went over the principles both in Gujarati and English and then did fill in the blanks in English in their books. 

For example: 

Question: Neha _____ the boys how to read. (Teach)

Answer: taught 

Jinkalben then had me lead the class in going over some more examples and coming up with some to give them more practice. After that the kids and teachers had about a 20 minute break where the kids head to the cafeteria for a quick snack and the teachers head to the teachers lounge for a quick break. I went to the female teachers lounge and sat and talked with the teachers. Today we just talked and got to know each other a little better and talked how things worked in the US and here.

Social Science with Dishaben!

English with Jinkalben.

I then went to 9A English class where they were being taught through videos on the smart board. They started class by making a paper dog from instructions in English by folding and drawing; so they started off with a little fun then went into learning English through a chapter that was on nuclear fusion and fission (with how thermometer and photocopier works), particles, and soil matter. I looked through one of their books, each chapter had a different theme or idea in some shape or form. 

9th grade girls making their paper dogs

Kids are split into three classes according to their grades: A, B, C. 9A would mean they are in the top level of their standard, 9B would mean mid level, and 9C they are having a more difficult time then the top two tiers. (Remember, standard means grade in India, i.e. 9th Standard). Also the kids stay in one classroom and teachers rotate. The kids also leave their books mostly at school so that is probably one of the reasons reading time (mentioned in more detail later) is at school and not at the hostel.

After heading to lunch and sitting with the girls and talking about different things including, what they like to do, what subjects are their favorites, what they want to be etc. there was time for a recess where they usually retire to the hostels for naps or just reenergizing. I went back to the hostel with the girls who wanted me to see their rooms, I've interacted with these group of girls the most here so far. I am finally starting to remember a few names, like Rutva, Ayushi, Prararena's and so on. When I went, I was paparazzied, invited and pulled into almost into every single room floor by floor, room by room. It was joyful to them to show me around their rooms and I could see how much pride they took in their room. I'm pretty sure I've been invited to a couple dozen homes to visit them if I'm ever in their hometown, it's both adorable and pretty awing to believe that they look up to me like that. I hope I am being helpful here and making a positive impact and difference. But back to the girls. In their rooms there were at least 7 cots and girls living in one room, with literally just the bare minimum and half a shelf to keep their belongings. Some rooms had up to the maximum 10 cots and girls, that's not a lot of space in any room. But despite that the girls told me they are allowed to choose who they room with and overall are enjoying being here and doing all the different activities and learning. 

Walking the hostel with the girls.

While most of the students were in their dorms, some of them had special permission to go to dance practice to prepare for the Karyakram performances and the older kids when off to activity hour with karate. I walked around and watched the several different things going on including daily practice of public speaking for each of the younger grades in the outdoor corridors. Jinkalben told me that the brilliant students often prepare their own topics and then the less advanced kids are given topics to prepare.

Karate with the 9th grade boys and girls!

After that, Amit Bhai had remembered from yesterday that I played soccer and sent the boys to come find me to play during their free activity hour. While it was unorganized and sometimes rarely looked like proper soccer, it was a big pick up game for all the 10th grade boys overlooked by Amit Bhai and today, me. The field is nice and big with nets, goals, and everything. It's still on dirt and there are some big rocks in places but it's definitely playable. As I said before it's not that they weren't good at playing, it's that they are inexperienced. Amit Bhai allowed me to coach and teach them how soccer is played, basically gave me free reigns. We started by just splitting into two teams and scrimmaging, I went on to stop them and teach them about being spread out on the field,  not bunching and how to pass the ball properly (they were playing just however they could). Then I taught the two goalies a little positioning and how to punt properly and how rules with corners,  goal kicks, and goalkeepers work etc. I think I earned the guys respect when I made some diving saves and long punts, then they were sold haha. Amit Bhai and the boys were great sports and very eager to learn and get better; I had an absolute blast. The 9th grade boys sitting on the side let me know they were playing at the same time tomorrow and that they wanted me to come. While playing I ended up cutting my elbow in a few places from dives; after the bell rang, the boys, came back and got me and took me to their clinic room, cleaned up my cut for me and put the medicine on it. And boy does word travel fast around here. 30 minutes later by dinner time, I had girls come up and ask about my "injury" (which is a normal thing for me when I'm playing back home so I didn't think it was a big deal) and about 5 different teachers. Besides being humored by it all, it was really nice that the teachers took the time to stop by and ask about it. And more importantly, I think the boys are more willing to talk to me more after playing with them today, and showing them girls can play and play well.

Following dinner, I mingled more with the kids and ended up going to reading time back at school with them. They were all trying to get me to come to their class not the others. I ended up going to the older kids classes since I spent time with the younger kids mostly during the day. Reading time is from 8:00-9:30 pm for the younger kids and until 10 pm for the older kids, this is when they do their homework and reading. One class, the girls were talking to me and I looked around and the boys were doing homework and the girls were just sitting even after I asked several times if they needed work to be done, they said no. So I asked why, and they said during free time earlier in the day they completed their homework and the boys were out playing football so they are working now, I looked around more closely and indeed it was the boys I played with. I didn't think to ask them if they always come do homework or if they do activities on some days too, but I'll go back and talk more, I hope they don't just do homework everyday early instead of playing and other things like music and dance; it's important that they try and do all different things. In another class, both boys and girls were busy and focused, especially the girls because they didn't have any free time since all their free time is dance practice until the 28th so they were diligently working. In another class I sat in the back but the kids wanted to talk to me instead of doing work, so since it was time for them to work, I decided to leave and go to the younger kids since I didn't want to be a distraction. Before I forget, all the teachers roam the school and sit in most of the classrooms to make sure they are mostly quiet and working during this time.

Reading time.
The teachers sit outside or walk around, here a
few kids are sitting for help outside too.

I walked around the younger kids classes just popping my head in and then one of the boys told me to come watch them practice their skit. I think this is one of my favorite skits, it's all original, funny, and the young boys sing it so enthusiastically; it's about the struggle of grades and classes no matter how hard they try. I asked Vaibhav and Amit Bhai, and they said the kids come up with and write their own material. They are so creative! 

Boys working on their skit.

To wrap it up today, I just wanted to point out the teachers. The teachers here are absolutely amazing. I know I am here to help but I am learning in class from them too about teaching and various things. These teachers here have the hardest job, since it is a boarding school they have to be teachers, parents, friends, confidants, enforcers and discipliners, encouragers, and comforters when kids need it. Some people in other places can't even handle one of those roles at a time, yet they are doing it here everyday for over 16 hour days with both compassion and passion. Teachers everywhere are amazing, but these teachers here are something else, I'm in absolute awe of them. 

- Aekta

Day 1: First Day in Sidsar

Impressed. One word to sum up my first day at school, impressed. Yes there is work to be done and there is always room to be better, but I am impressed, and I believe dad feels the same way.

A little more about the school:

Shree Vijapura Vidhya Sankul is in Sidsar, Gujarat, India. It is a full time boarding school for grades 6-10th grade with a 1-5th local day school (from surrounding villages within 20 kilometers). There are smaller 10th and 11th grades but a larger scale will be added in the years to come along with a 12th grade. There are about 600 students total with 400 being boys and 200 being girls. And it is the first year for girls as a part of the Brilliant Student Program. The Brilliant Student Program here had over 6,800 applicants of which 360 passed the exam and were accepted and they joined the existing 240 students already here. It is a full time school run by the head of the school Dr. Padhiyar and the teachers who live here and some who commute. As a part of the new initiative and for the best available opportunities and education, all 16 classrooms are fitted with smartboards and  students have access to tablets. It is a Gujarati-medium school with English beginning to be heavily integrated and taught on a daily basis with some influence on it's education system from the United States. The school has four main buildings, the school itself, the admin building, the hostel, and the cafeteria. It really is a beautiful campus and a school that offers so much.  

Dr. Padhiyar leading his class for teachers.

Our time at the school began midday today; once we got here we tiptoed our way to the back of a lecture that Dr. Padhiyar was giving to the teachers. He was talking about the development of students and pushing and encouraging those who are not as academically inclined or those who aren't as motivated. He brought up great points and ideas like not pushing your ideas onto students but pulling the students ideas out of themselves and finding different ways to motivate them. This was when I was introduced and was given the first opportunity to speak, and that too, to the teachers about student motivation and connecting to students. Also, Dr. Padhiyar was speaking all in English to help bring up the teachers level of English and would rarely use Gujarati. Lastly the point that stuck from that lecture was when Dr. Padhiyar said, some times we have to teach in a way where we are describing colors to the blind who have never seen. We have to find ways and different ways, and make it happen.

The speech and debate class.

After that we went to watch a dance class practice and we saw their faces light up when they were talking with Bhanji Uncle (they even got Bhanji Uncle to dance with them!). Bhanji Uncle is very familiar with the kids; he does online video conference classes with the kids to teach english. We then went and sat in on a 6th grade speech and debate class. I had the opportunity to teach along with Bhanji Uncle and Aunty and Dad to help them with their presentations and delivery. Even though it was just their second day of speech class (they just officially added it), they already were taking our critique and applying it slowly, all with a positive attitude. We went on to go see kids prepare for the celebration on December 28th in music class and then Kevin Bhai took me and dad on a tour of the campus; the campus has developed so nicely and has so many great amenities like the swimming pool, the open areas to play, the playground, and even a rope zip line. And this is all in addition the the hostel, school, and cafeteria. Also it is so beautiful and peaceful, a truly amazing atmosphere.

The school courtyard.
(View from the school entrance lobby)

Kids had an hour and a half or so after classes ended for free time, and as we learned, each is assigned to a different activity each day but is free to do their own thing within that, like one class was assigned to reading while another was allotted the playground area.

After that they had some time in their hostels to prepare for prayer time and dinner. We joined them for prayer and after a little while of prayer which was mainly led by the students, students presented jokes, trivia, news, and a few other things. This is normal for each night to have prayer then a mix of everything before they went off to dinner.

Evening prayers in the hostel courtyard.

And as for dinner. Wow. Just wow. The last time we came in 2008, snack time in the cafeteria was a mess everywhere. Today as kids entered the cafeteria they took their shoes off outside, sat in lines, and waited their turn to be served. The servers were their own classmates who were the servers for the day. After getting food they sat down on the table and ate, while as the line cleared the next kids stood up from the floor to go get their food and that continued. Also as each kid was finished they had to show a designated peer their plate so they could check that everything was finished and no food was being wasted, if there was leftovers, they had to go back and finish it. What a great way to teach kids to get only what they need (they can go back and get as many seconds as they want)) and to teach them not to waste food. There was no fuss or mess and everything worked like a well oiled machine. I'm proud to say that, I don't think we even run lunch/dinner like this in America, they are doing a fantastic job with this!

Girls sitting in lines waiting for their turn to get food.

Boys side of the cafeteria.

After dinner at around 7, they then have a little time to themselves, and then from 8:00-9:30 pm they go back to school for reading and homework. They then head to the car to get a snack before bedtime and are in the hostels by 10:30ish.

It's a long day for the kids, and the teachers too, but you can see how much the kids are enjoying being here and that says a lot about the teachers and assistants like Kevin Bhai, Chetnaben, and Manishaben and countless others. It is both amazing and so motivating to see how how much effort the teachers are putting forth, especially Dr. Padhiyar.

Dad and Kevin Bhai walking the beautiful road on campus.

- Aekta