Summer School

The children of India are out of school in the months of April and May, when it is hottest and most unbearable to sit in any classroom. Like all children around the world, while they love not having school, they do not love having nothing else to do. And as hot as it is here, playing outside just isn’t always an option.

Anticipating this, I decided to put together a small program for the children in the dalit colony. It’s not “summer school” per se, just a chance for the children to get together for some fun and games and a tiny bit of learning. It’s also a chance for me to use my creativity to benefit the children that I have grown to love so much but have not been able to see on a regular basis since we stopped the remedial classes at the beginning of February.

The first day of the program was Thursday, and it was as disorganized as it was expected to be. But the children seemed happy to be there, and I didn’t care if we stuck to any schedule, as long as they were smiling (and behaving!). With the help of several women from the colony, today’s program went much more smoothly. We actually did stick to our schedule, which included a time for songs, stories, coloring, games, and snacks. Tomorrow we’ll do much of the same and hope it goes just as well.

I not trying to pat myself on the back, but I have to say that I’m awfully proud of this summer program. See, as much as I love these children, I have to admit that working with kids has never been a strong point of mine. But the effort I have put into this program has been well rewarded. Each day, for the next week and a half, I get to see the smiling faces and hear the excited laughter of 26 of the most precious children in the world. And I’m having fun too. There is still a child inside of me who just loves to spend time telling stories, singing songs, and coloring with crayons. I said I was doing this for others, but I’m getting tons out of it too. I suppose that's right on par with the rest of my India experiences.

Wish me luck...