My heart is full.

Today was the day I was waiting for since the day I left the Sankul last year. Despite trying to make it back throughout the year my schedule was packed between classes, coaching, soccer, and various events I ended up planning. None the less, there was not a day that didn’t go by where I wasn’t missing my kids or telling whoever I could about them and my time in India. 

Finally after months of trying to figure out a time to go, then waiting in anticipation to be there once my tickets were booked, this day couldn’t have come soon enough. 

After a fairly busy morning, we finally reached Sidsar around 3 pm via breakfast at Masa’s farmhouse and stopping by to pay our respects to Bhabhu in Bhayavadar. While we were in Bhayavadar I got to meet the three little pups that will grow up to be guard dogs (one will be a guard dog at the school). But cute puppies don’t even compare to the rest of my day. 

On the way from Bhayavadar to Sidsar my excitement was through the roof of the Honda City we were driving in. As soon as we pulled into the Vevati Bhavan (the Admin building and also where my room is), the girls had been playing there waiting for me to arrive, surrounded the car with themselves, their smiles, and their squeals of excitement and yelling “Aekta Didi”. When got out, I was greeted by the biggest smiles and the biggest hugs. They had an idea I was coming today, dad had not told them the exact day.

Quickly after hi’s and hugs, I explained to them that I had to go do something important. Dad had set up two fish tanks in one of the first and second grade classrooms (a rare commodity in India). The little kids had be waiting for days for the fish to come, but dad could only get the fish in Rajkot (a city). He let me deliver the fish which I loved: 1) because the kids are so cute and they got so excited and 2) because they will now remember who I am and wave to me in the corridors. 

As I walked towards the primary school with the fish, I ran into my favorite person. I would try to deny that I don’t have favorites but when it comes to Manisha Masi, I do; she always take care of me and has such a loving personality. I had been waiting a year to see her and of course no one makes chai like Masi, so to drink her chai. 

Along the way kids would start realizing it was me and would wave feverously and would run out of the line to give me a hug with excitement while getting mad at me for taking a whole year to come back. I could also hear the new kids, confused of who I was, so the kids who were there last year would inform them, it was adorable. 

All the girls who passed me kept telling me they had a Koh tournament during sports/free play time today, so I headed there when it was time. I was so excited to see the girls getting involved in athletics and being active. There are some exciting changes that happened while I was gone and this is just one of the many, I have already encountered. 

In the upcoming days I will talk more about the changes and progress. But today I will keep it short, as it’s been only two days since I got to India and I’m exhausted from the jetlag. I am so excited to see all the things I will be able to do in the next two weeks and all the new memories I will have the chance to make. Today, I am just thankful for being back here and having this opportunity again. My heart is full. 

- Aekta

P.S. For those of you wondering, no I did not remember many names. I remembered a few names of the kids of who I interacted with the most but I did remember all the returning kids’ faces! I did remember all the returning teachers but there are a lot of new teacher’s names I have to learn! 

A few thank you's, a few memories, and the best experience of my life.

Thank you for reading my blog these past few weeks and following my experience and journey. If you are joining me towards the end, I hope you get a chance to go back and read a few of the earlier ones to help you get a full picture and enjoy them all. What had started off as an informal blog (and my first blog ever) to update a few people in the US, has reached well over 1000 views. Your messages, comments, texts, emails, phone calls, and words of encouragement have been greatly appreciated. Most of the blogs were written late at night off my phone when I tired after long, 16 hour days with the kids, so thank you for putting up with my little errors, run on sentences, and typos. However between the long days, hard work, and being with the kids, I wouldn't change a single thing. I am back in the US but if you ask me to get on a plane and go back, I would do it in a heartbeat.

When I left for Sidsar, I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting into and was a bit nervous. But when I left Sidsar, I was never more confident that I had made the right decision in wanting to come. I had gone to Shree Vijapura Vidhya Sankul with the intentions to teach, coach, and help wherever I could but I left having learnt so much myself. Each day I learned from the kids and teachers whether it was in class, on the field, or just talking to them while eating dinner. Each interaction I had with each student and person has impacted me where I could write a blog on each one and that still would not be enough. Through these kids I was reminded what it is to truly love to learn and want to grow, of course there were kids whose favorite thing in the world wasn't studying but even they enjoyed learning. There was an eagerness about them and this caring and exciting energy that ran through the campus. Through my classes that included topics like introvert/extroverts, state of minds, time management, attitude/behaviour, confidence and so on, each day was a blessing to have the opportunity to teach them new things and often reinforce topics they knew about. The eagerness of the girls wanting to learn football has me determined to go there with a daily plan next time and the excitement of the boys wanting me to play sports with them has me excited to go back and get on the field. I gained so much from sitting in classes with different teachers and seeing how they teach and what works there and doesn't. I learned a lot from them and Dr. Padhiyar, things that go far beyond the four walls of a classroom. I am waiting to go back again to be with the teachers and kids, to be a part of the daily schedule again, and to live and learn along side of them.

While my trip was a success and a joy and the school and staff are wonderful, there are still things to fix and things that we can always improve. We are one of the first schools in Gujarat to have a wifi campus, smart boards, tablets for each of our kids. There are opportunities to develop minds through things outside of the classroom like horse riding, karate, swimming, rifle shooting, public speaking and debate and so on. A campus that takes your breathe away and an enviroment where the mind and body can thrive both peacefully and brilliantly. As we move forward, let's keep focusing on making this the best school possible, not only for the betterment of this school but for the success of these kids and the kids to come.

I also just wanted to take a quick moment to thank my parents for giving me so many opportunities in life and particularly this one. Thank you for supporting me and helping me get to Sidsar and allowing me one of the best experiences of my life. I am what I am because of how you have brought me and Bhai up and all the things you both have sacrificed and done for us. Thank you for everything. I am thankful you were able to be there and share this experience with me.

When people tell me they are proud of me, it is a great feeling, but I am just doing what I can. If we can help, why don't we. It is our duty to help those we can, to uplift those we can, and to do what we can. This is our country, this is our school, and these are our kids, we should do everything we can to give them the proper tools to a better and brighter future. But it doesn't have to just be here, do something where ever your heart desires. To do something, you just have to get up and start doing it, there are always things to be done and people to be helped.

I am proud to say I have gained some of the most valuable things while I was in Sidsar. I have friendships and relationships that I will cherish forever and 500 little brothers and sisters along with my wonderful big brothers and sisters. And some of my most prized possessions like the cards and letters the kids made for me before I left and the watch Dr. Padhiyar gave me that matched the rest of the teachers. You have no idea how much these things mean.

But the things I experienced and continue to feel, I have tried countless times to put into words, but each time they fail to do my experience justice. The perfect words don't exist. However, I hope that I have been able to convey enough and been able to bring you into my world through this blog and the numerous posts. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this blog and supporting me and the school.

I have already talked and face timed with the kids once I have returned to the States and it was amazing to see them even though it had only been a few days. I did not want to leave but I hope to continue helping them with the help of Dr. Padhiyar through video conferences while I am here in the US. We are also trying to come up with a way to get more students and leaders from our generation to go over and also help teach and coach in Sidsar as a part of a possible exchange or study abroad/teach abroad volunteer program.

I am counting down the days I have been gone and am anxiously counting down the days to hopefully when I will be able to go back. But until then, I will continue to miss them all dearly. I left a piece of my heart in in Sidsar and I am already excited to go back, whenever that will be.

I'll leave you all with what I always told the kids, "When it's time to study, study and when it's time to  play, play". Learn to balance studying and playing, learn to manage your time and do both, both are important. Focus on studying and learning when you are supposed to and you can enjoy playing when you have the chance.


- Aekta



A few of my highlights and favorite times in pictures. I wasn't able to post all of them but here a few:

The school building, always was a great feeling to walk in. 

Loved having the opportunity to teach there!

Some of my favorite times were just talking
to the kids and spending time with them.

Coaching a few of the girls during their free time.
(They came to me asked me to teach them more!!)

Handing out tamarind to the girls waiting patiently
the day we went to the gausala. You can see Manisha Masi
and some of the girls picking them off the tree in the background.

Playing soccer with the 10th & 11th grade boys.
They didn't know how to dive, let alone ever see a girl do it.
Hopefully I changed their views a little bit on what girls are capable of doing.
(P.S. They didn't score on me...sorry Amit Bhai!)

Sitting in various classes with different teachers and kids.
The kids made sure I came to their class atleast once,
that's a lot of classes to cover but I think I made it (6th-11th grade).

The kids have so many amazing resources to use and learn from!

They have things like Karate, Horse Riding, Rifle Shooting,
Swimming, NCC, etc. 

Eating meals with the kids everyday was always a fun time. Dad and Ajay Bhai eating
with some of the boys.

After I gave all the little day school kids (grades 1-5) candy for Christmas.
They were so excited!

Walking the campus with Kiranben and a few of the day schoolers.
We were headed from the school to the hostel where
 the school stationary is. (stationary was like a mini "bookstore")

Spending time with the didis and teaching them
and showing them things from the US.

Visiting the girls in their hostels, who all eagerly pulled
me each way to go see their rooms. 

They have a mini rope line on the playground!
Had fun with the kids, who showed me a few of their own tricks!

Some of my favorite times included just spending time 

with my mota bhais and bens (the teachers). This was the night 

before the Karyakram when we were doing rangoli.
(Left to right: Vidhi Didi, Vaibhav Bhai, Binal Didi, Dharmishtra Didi)

My three 11th grade girls: Khushbu, Khyathi, and Mansi

Some my 9th grade girls!

I always looked forward to prayer time in the morning and evening,
The kids are so creative and talented!

Prince (left) and Bhargav (right) reading the newspapers
during their free time. They have newspaper and magazine
 stands around the school for the kids.
Prince has one of the biggest hearts and is always
helping others and Bhargov was always
ready to talk with a friendly smile. Loved talking to these two
throughout the weeks. 

Meet Krish. I ended up spending a lot of time with him. He is involved in everything, from helping lead prayer time, to doing arts and the christmas dance, to sports and he enjoys being in class too. I helped him with his cricket talent routine for the Karyakrum and taught him how to cushion the ball when he was bringing it back down from a high hit. He also wanted to learn soccer and basketball or anything else I knew. Here he is doing a soccer stepover and learning how to do through the legs crossover in basketball. He's an eager and fast learner! 

"Didi, take our picture too!" These little guys came to the soccer field to watch me play
 and to learn everything they could from what I was teaching. Loved it!

His mom wanted a picture of us and I did too!
Paavan was always smiling and happy to talk!

Saying goodbye was hard but I'm glad I got to

spend my time there with all these smiling faces.

One of the many cards and letters the kids made for me.
How can you not love it?

Sunset from the gausala. The sunsets were beautiful
 every single night at the school.

The walk on campus will never get tiring.
(the hostel on the left, the admin building after it, and school at the end of the path where the people are going towards) 

Until next time Sidsar, until next time.

The commitment and dedication of Dr. Padhiyar

Dr. Padhiyar addressing the audience
during the Karyakram.

Often the people that work the hardest are the ones that are not always recognized. This person, doesn't do what he does for recognition, but for the development and betterment of these kids. Dr. Padhiyar is the director (headmaster/principal) of Shree Vijapura Vidhya Sankul. I had spoken to Dr. Padhiyar before I left to come but I did not meet him until my first day there. He was in the middle of his teachers class when we came in; he was speaking on bringing the level of students motivation up and how to work with students who weren't as advanced or motivated to learn. Immediately, two points he made during that class struck me and stayed with me, "If a student loves a subject or is really good at it but doesn't like his or her teacher, they will often not do well in that class. The teacher has that much influence on the student and their success. That also doesn't mean that every student will love or not get along with every teacher, but it is our job to make such the student doesn't lose their motivation and that we give them the tools to succeed" and "Not everyone can see, sometimes we as teachers have to teach in a way where we are describing colors to the blind who have never seen, let alone know what colors are, or what they mean. We have to find ways, different ways to explain to them and show them, and make it happen". Dr. Padhiyar has a way with words and an innate ability to explain things in such a way were you understand them and are compelled by them.


Over the time I was there, I came to know Dr. Padhiyar better; if I remember correctly, he has 17 degrees (majors and minor etc.) all together, a doctorate in psychology, over 13 years as a professor at a teacher preparatory school, and the list goes on. He is one of the most dedicated and passionate persons I have ever met. On an average he sleeps about 4 hours at night so that he can be doing things for the school the rest of the time. He knows each child personally and even personally evaluated all 500 students. He is strict when need be, respected by all, and loved by the kids. When they need to take medicine, they go to him, when they miss home, they go to him, when they need to have their ankle wrapped, they go to him, when they have a problem, they go to him. If they come to him sick, he will ask questions tenderly, try to find a solution, and then have the child come in the next day to tell him how they feel even if they are fine, so that he knows that they are doing okay. He has their trust and confidence and rightfully so; he makes rounds on campus and of the hostels until 1:30 am before he leaves. He walks the hostel at least 3 times after bedtime to make sure everything feels cared for and safe. He is there before they wake-up, which now is before 5 am for the older kids, who are preparing for boards, and is there for the morning and night reading time. His office door is always open with a constant flow of students and teachers alike. He understands the difficult role of being a head at a boarding school and the fine line of being caring while strict and he does everything with the best interest of the students in mind. Dr. Padhiyar often takes money out of his own pocket to make sure the kids have what they need and to make sure the students and teachers are taken care of. He every once in a while treats all the teachers to a special meal (a true treat at a boarding school) or a gift on holidays on his own to show his appreciation.

Dr. Padhiyar teaching during the coaching for teachers on
the first day.

He also works to help improve the education the teachers are receiving. You might say how is that possible, but the teachers' coaching class I've mentioned a few times earlier is one of the ways. Every day, even with his busy schedule, when the kids are retired to their hostels for a break from 2 pm to 3pm after lunch, Dr. Padhiyar holds coaching for the teachers. While I don't think this is mandatory, it is unspoken that if you are not doing anything for a class or kids, each available teacher is there. During coaching, he opens with a passage, a story, or a some sort of thought provoking message which they then discuss. From then on, each teacher one by one stands up and asks a question, any question. On one of the particular days I was present, some of the questions were about something the teacher had read and wanted more clarification on, something they didn't understand the meaning of, another had their own story and perceived meaning and it was then discussed, another asked why kids walked onto the pitch with players during the world cup, another asked and discussed student problems. He had an answer and response for everything, from sportsmanship, motivation, to other philosophical responses, and even some humor mixed in. I even got to sit in and ask a question or two; one of my questions was on self-discipline, and how do we teach kids self-discipline when it is not something we can truly teach. He responds every time in English, and that way the teachers broaden their vocabulary and understanding; it goes to show that he cares not only of the development of his students but of the teachers too. It was a treat to watch him speak and to learn from him, even if it was only for a short two weeks.

When we sat down together to discuss what I would teach, we went over characteristics, values, qualities, important parameters, and many different psychological topics. There is an abundance of wisdom in everything he says and does. During that time and over those two weeks I learned so much from him and probably more than I have in my three years in college. It was such an invaluable experience to watch him understand and apply psychology, it was both inspiring and motivating. I know I went to Sidsar to teach, coach, and help however I could, but I have left having learnt so much from the students and teachers, and especially from him.

There is so much more I could write and so many things I have not even scratched the surface of about what he does. He has made such a difference since he came to the school 9 months ago and you can see and feel it when you are there. Under his leadership and with the support of the teachers and their hard work, they have created a special, indescribable atmosphere and environment at the Sankul for these kids. I am so thankful to him and the school for allowing me to come there and be a part of it all.

- Aekta

Dr. Padhiyar and I before I left on the last day. 

The teachers, my Mota Bhais and Bens

More often than not, you have heard me talk about the kids, and mention the teachers. It's just that each blog, a sentence wasn't enough to cover them and I sometimes hadn't interacted as much with them at that point yet.

As I tell the kids, please forgive me if I can't remember all your names, I ask that teachers today, that you please forgive me if I leave you out by mistake.

The teachers here have been so welcoming since the first day. The first interaction I had with them was 30 minutes after I arrived on the first day, when we went to Dr. Padhiyar's coaching (class) for teachers. I was asked to speak about students strengths and weaknesses and teachers and their roles. I'm pretty sure I scared them all when all I spoke was in English  (as I was instructed to), which we joke about now together because they thought I couldn't speak Gujarati at all. And I was intimidated by them, I didn't know them, and here I was having to speak to them about what I thought, as some stranger who they'd never met before. But since day one, they have been nothing but welcoming, caring, and inquisitive.

(Ben & Didi means sister and Bhai means brother)

The first class I sat in on, was Dishaben's 8th Grade Social Sciences class. I played football with the tenth grade boys and Amit Bhai, and that was a total blast (sorry for not letting you score if you're reading this Amit Bhai). I naturally grew closer to the didis since I spent more time with them and I eventually learned all of their names which I can't say for any other group of people, sorry Bhai's and kids, I really did try super hard to. Each day the bhais and didis would guide me around school, taking me to their classes, inviting me into their class if I was walking by, reminding me kids names (thank you!), and taking the time to talk to me, and see how my day way going. They were eager to learn not only about me and the US, but how they could improve.

Kiranben, Dharmishtra Didi, Purvi Didi,
Jinkal Didi, Jalpa Didi, Dishaben, Vidhi Didi 

I enjoyed talking to Vaibhav Bhai on multiple occasions about all sorts of things and playing volleyball with him, Ramesh Bhai, and the 8th grade boys against the 10th and 11th grade boys (we won, go 8th grade!). The relationships that grew out of spending time with the Didis are some of the most valuable; they would take me with them everywhere, eat meals together, and spend breaks with them, and so many other things. I just wanted to say thank you to Dharmishtra Didi, Madhuri Didi, Darshna Didi, Chetnaben, Dishaben, Purvi Didi, Jalpa Didi, Avani Didi, Ridhi Didi, Sofiya Didi, Vidhi Didi, Binal Didi and Jinkal Didi for for all you did for me these past two weeks. When I was going somewhere by myself, you took me with you, you looked after me, little things like asking if I liked the food and offering to make me something, or offering me your snacks during the day, bringing me into conversations, waiting for me after dinner, or taking me with you or letting me help you are the little things that made my experience extra special. The day school teachers like Kiranben, Pooja Didi,  Rashmi Didi, and Shraddha Didi that keep the cute little munchkins learning and having fun.  Shaileshbhai who is in charge of the Bhojnalay (cafeteria) who not only takes care of the kids meals each day but took the time to make sure I was enjoying the food too. Ramesh Bhai with his humor and his fun effort at English with me, Anub Bhai always working with the kids and making jokes, Deepak Bhai and Bhavik Bhai along with Ashish Bhai, Hitendera Bhai and the many others who I talked with, sat in class with, and had fun with. Mayur Bhai putting me on the spot in Sanskrit and making me come up with answers to riddles, which let me tell you I wasn't very good at. I sat in many classes, spoke with many teachers, but I proabably spent the most time in class with Jinkal Didi and Binal Didi since they both taught English and I thought I could be of some help there instead of other classes like Hindi or Gujarati and I also spent a lot of time with Sofiya Didi and Ridhi Didi through dance practice and classes.

Vaibhav Bhai

Sofiya Didi and Ridhi Didi

Dharmishtra Didi, Jinkal Didi, Shraddha Didi

There were also Kevin Bhai, Ajay Bhai, and Sarju Bhai who were in the admin building. Ajay Bhai and Sarju Bhai had become a daily interaction along Devyaniben and Masi who took such good care of us while we stayed there. Sonal also cleaned in the admin building each day and had become a smiling familiar face. We also saw Kevin Bhai throughout the day, everyday who seemed to be able to do everything, from teaching music class, coordinating events, helping with daily things, he would be there working late, and especially doing a million things to help get everything in place for the Karyakram. Things that often we don't see when we come by for a few hours or just for an occasion all the hard work that is put into it by these guys.

Lastly I just wanted to thank someone extra special, Manisha Masi. Everyone took care of me but she took extra care of me. Manisha Masi is Dr. Padhiyar's personal assistant. She would just check in on me throughout the day, bring me chai when she made it for Dr. Padhiyar, bring me snacks. On the third day I learned just how strong (and caring) she was. I was talking to Vaibhav Bhai about schools in the US and differences and she comes up to me and goes, "I didn't see you at breakfast this morning, I have mumbra (snacks) and chai ready for you, let's go". I said I would come once I the break was over so I can finish talking to Vaibhav Bhai but by the time I finished that sentence, she was already pulling me across the lobby to the canteen, Vaibhav Bhai told me I better go, she doesn't take no for an answer. Masi has one of the biggest hearts and always looked out for me and took care of me. There are so many stories and things I can tell you, but no words can do her justice.

Manisha Masi

No words can do any of these teachers justice. Each and every teacher and staff member, works so hard and so passionately for these kids. They begin and end each day with smile and are always working to get better so they can do even more for these kids. Often their work goes unnoticed but it is these teachers and staff that look out for these kids, teach them, and make them feel loved at their home away from home.

These kids are extremely lucky to have them as their teachers.

I always say I have gained so many Nana Bhais and Bens (little brothers and sisters) in the kids but the truth is I have gained so many Mota Bhais and Bens (big brothers and sisters) in the teachers also. They kept me like a Nani Ben, they looked after me, welcomed me, and kept me as their own. For that I will forever be grateful to them and love them all. I will miss them all.

Thank you to all my bhais and bens for making my time there amazing.

Shraddha Didi, Sneha Didi, Ramesh Bhai

Dharmishtra Didi and Darshna Didi

Binal Didi

Madhuri Didi

I wish I had gotten more pictures with everyone, but these will have to do until next time!



- Aekta

Day 12: The big day is here, Karyakram and my last day.

The big day has arrived, literally and figuratively. Literally because the day of the Karyakram is here and figuratively because it was my big day the one I wasn't looking forward to, the day I had to leave.

It was a late night for everyone yesterday and an early morning today. Some of the kids and teachers were up by 4 am to help with the final preparations. Everyone had to be ready and at school by 6:30 am (for the rest of the kids and teachers). Everyone had a place and a job assigned, some were part of the swagat (welcoming) committee, some were a part of the bojanale (dining) committee, the school building etc.

Mom, Dad, and I were at school by 7 am and by then people had also began to trickle on to campus. With the schedule beginning at 8 am, everyone was working hard to be where they needed to be with everything ready. The first thing on the schedule was the ribbon cutting and pooja of each classroom, building, and area. At 10 am the first stage program began. It included introduction speeches, our girls dancing to Chennai Express' Kashmir Main, Tu Kanyakumari, a monologue done by a girl from Upleta, a pyramid act by our boys, another dance by our girls, and one more dance by a group of girls from another school. Everyone did such a great job. I ended up giving a short speech too; Jayesh Uncle asked me if I would that morning and I had said yes. I tried to keep it short and sweet, plus I didn't want to mess up because I know my Gujarati isn't as good as it used to be (I realized that after coming here, they speak full pure gujarati). But the nerves I had going up on stage melted away because it's pretty easy to talk about the amazing time I had and the kids and teachers who I've become so close with.

The girls' dancing to Kashmir Main, Tu Kanyakumari.

Pyramid act by the boys, this is just one of the amazing structures done by them.

The girls' classical dance.

After eating lunch with the Didis, I headed to school with Binal Didi and Jinkal Didi and a few others to relieve the Bhais and Didis there, so they could go get lunch while we stayed there for the open house; we showed people how the smartboards worked and what their uses were. This way visitors got to see the school and what things we offered, while kids also got to show their parents and families what they use and do at school.

Binal Didi showing how the Smartboard works at school.

Around 2:20 I headed back towards the main stage since the second program was starting at 2:30, but Manisha Masi found me and pulled me back with her to school to make me chai. Manisha Masi is amazing, I haven't told you much about her and some others but I will in the next few posts. I had fun joking around with Mayur Bhai, Ramesh Bhai, and Anub Bhai, and making them ask in English to get their chai. Unfortunately I missed our boys skating performance and the girls Hunna Hunna Rajasthani dance but I know that they did spectacular jobs. I made it back in time to join a few of the didis and bhais with the kids to catch the end of the entertainment programs including the girls' Swagat dance. The rest of the program consisted of honoring and acknowledging the donors who made this school possible and those who have continued to donate. Without these original donors and the continuing donors, none of this would be possible.

Me with Sofiya Didi and the Swagat Dance girls  after their performance.  Me with Sofiya Didi and the Swagat Dance girls  after their performance.

Honoring the donors. Honoring the donors.

That lasted until about 6, but I headed out a little before that to start my goodbyes. I tried to find as many kids as possible and made them promise to study hard, play hard, have fun, study with passion, and do things they love while trying new things and the girls to go play outside. I ended each goodbye with making them say "I promise, Didi".

Saying goodbye to the kids

I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty difficult to say goodbye to the kids especially when they would get all sad. They would swarm me sometimes and sometimes it was only one or two at a time. None the less, it didn't get any easier with more practice.

And I'm not one to show emotions easily, especially in public but somehow my big didis all get me to. A few tears may or may not have appeared when saying to goodbye to the didis. I tried hard to hold it together, but if I see someone else cry, I'm a goner too.

With Shraddha Didi, Sneha Didi, and Ramesh Bhai. With Shraddha Didi, Sneha Didi, and Ramesh Bhai.

Leaving was probably one of the hardest things. Thank god, it was dark outside because I know I wasn't too happy and I didn't want people to see. Kevin Bhai, Dr. Padhiyar, Ajay Bhai, and Sarju Bhai saw us off while the rest of the school and people were still continuing on while the day was starting to come to an end around 7:30 pm. Leaving, I couldn't help but feel like I was leaving my little brothers and sisters and big brothers and sisters and that Shree Vijapura Vidhya Sankul had become my home too. I was leaving a piece of my heart there and while I had my moments and memories with me, it just didn't seem like enough.

Leaving my Sidsar home.

While I am bummed I had to leave, I want to end this post on some highlights of my last day.

• Everyone had put so much time and effort into today that it went so smoothly, made me so happy and over 4000 people came to see it all. But what kept the biggest, goofiest grin on my face all day were the kids performing so beautifully and all the kids working hard throughout the day, along with each and everyone of the kids and teachers hardwork paying off. The day was a success but I could not be prouder of the students and staff.

I don't know what it would have been like to not been a part of the preparations and to just watch, but I do know that I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

• Today's celebration also meant that the kids' parents could visit them. The kids had been so excited especially since yesterday. Today kids had been pulling me left and right to meet their parents to make sure I met them and to make sure they met "their Aekta Didi". I was honored. I even had parents come up to me without their kids and ask if I was "Aekta Didi" and just talk to me about how excited their kids were and how they loved having me there. They even came up and asked if they could take a picture with me and their son or daughter. I have never felt more honored or amazed in my life. I knew the kids loved having me there but today I realized how we can impact others. But I don't think the parents truly understand how much their kids impacted me and changed my life. I'm thankful for each and every one of them.

Also, while this is my last official daily post, I will still be posting a few more blogs in the coming days, so check back for few more! Thank you for following and supporting my experience!

- Aekta