Volunteers queue up for Teach India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: On Thursday, at 4 pm, officials from Door Step School had a pleasant surprise—about 30 people of all ages and from different walks of life, twice the number they had expected, turned up to volunteer their time and effort to the Teach India movement.

Door Step School, a voluntary organisation, has been helping street children find their potential and get an education. Shashikant Jadhav, one of the members of Door Step School, made a concise presentation that helped the volunteers grasp the basics of what they were expected to do as part of the programme. Those attended were, however, worried about the language barrier (many were not comfortable with teaching in Hindi), the time that they could spare and the subjects they’d be expected to teach.

Bina Lashkari, one of the founders of Door Step School allayed their apprehensions and assured them that they would be offered time slots they would be comfortable with, as well as the chance to teach children of the age group they would like.

As Panna Parikh, a doctor at the Bombay Hospital, put it, “If I don’t know, I will learn and teach whatever it is.’’

Many of the volunteers were teachers, who felt that in spite of their efforts for so long, they had been unable to reach the ‘heart of the society’.

While this programme was one, nine volunteers sat in raptured silence at King George V Memorial as Hilary Goji, office manager of Vatsalya Foundation, told them about the three-month journey they were about to embark on.

The Vatsalya Foundation currently shelters 50 street children and helps them with studies as well as extra curricular activities. “Please talk to them only in Hindi,’’ said Goji. “This will make them feel comfortable.’’ Goji reminded volunteers that they had to dress modestly, preferably in Indian clothes.

Another rule set for the volunteers was that the children should not be asked about their backgrounds. It was decided that learning should not be restricted to classrooms and the study hours should not exceed more than an hour at a time as the kids already attend regular school.

LEARNING TIME: The orientation programme of the Teach India campaign was held at the TOI building on Thursday