Students of grade 11 and 12 have been devoting their weekends to work with the underprivileged children of Mithakali village. With guidance and support from their CAS coordinator, Nandita Dinesh and their language teacher, Anjou Musafir they have taken great initiative in identifying and addressing the primary academic needs and concerns of these students as well as their parents. The weekend teaching programme began with a ‘needs assessment survey’ of parents and children of Mithakali gam (village). Through the results of the survey, MGIS students found that learning English and computer skills were in demand. Having a natural flare for dance, dance classes were also introduced in addition to language and technology classes. Thus, a long standing relationship began between MGIS students and their younger friends from Mithakali gam.
The first month, MGIS students started out with general classes on Sundays, conducting activities such as field games, art and other activities to get to know the student group better. Three weeks later, actual classes were in session. Each of these classes required the MGIS student teachers to undergo training from the MGIS teachers to prepare their lesson plans, learn the school’s methodology of teaching and also learn how to handle a class. For English classes an interactive text book for standard 1 (authored by Anjou Musafir) , was to be of aid.
The MGIS students continue to teach children from Mithakali Gam every Saturday even from 4.30 to 7.00 PM and Sunday mornings. ID cards are now being made for the children and nutritional snacks are provided to them between classes. Recently, on the school Garba night, the gam children performed the traditional dance of Gujarat- ‘Garba’ on stage in school.
Despite the hardships of lesson planning, co-ordinating and handling so many children, MGIS students plan to continue their contribution to community and service and have said it is inspiring and extremely rewarding!
Article by Ruju Carlson (grade 11)