1. REACHING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
FEEL:
In a very close proximity to our school, there are a few municipal schools as well. While
coming to our school we would come across these children, dressed in uniform with slippers on.
They cannot afford to have shoes was the immediate thought that would come our mind. Like us
they also go to school to get education. But how are their schools? Are they different from ours? If
yes, then to what extent? All these questions got answered when our school provided us the
opportunity to see the reality by sending us to a nearby municipal school
IMAGINE:
We discussed among ourselves and designed a schedule. We divided ourselves into groups.
Each group would visit the school once and take up a task to do with the children. We started with
the preliminary tasks that were to be done before our visit. Each group got busy with preparing
teaching material and other things. We decided to go there on 25 th,26th and 27th August. Every day
we spent nearly one hour with them.
EXECUTION:
‘Matrubhoomi High School’ is one such school which is in the middle of a slum that is right
behind our school. All these years we were unaware of its existence though we had seen these kids
in their school uniform. The school has five small rooms in which they run classes from pre-primary
to 8th std. in shifts. The lane leading to the school was narrow and full of filth. On reaching the place,
the first feeling that came to our mind was that there cannot be a school here. How can anyone
study in such a surrounding? We were very sure that children would not be too keen on learning and
the overall atmosphere would be chaotic. But we are happy that they proved us wrong. They not
only have the urge to learn but are dedicated as well as disciplined.
In the month of August the first group went to the Matrubhoomi School. They took with
them some packets of sugar, rice, books, bags etc for distribution. All these things were collected
earlier in our school itself. Students were asked to give some donation in kind. The children in the
Matrubhoomi School were really happy to see these things. We distributed it to each one of them.
The happiness that we saw in their faces made us happy too.
Our other group was going to explain principles of science through working models. The
attached photograph explains the working of a volcano. For that we had to take the children to the
school ground. The ground was not in their school premise. We had to walk a few blocks to reach an
open area. To our surprise the students attended the session very attentively and did ask us lot of
questions.
The next group of students taught Warli paintings, origami etc to them. They were very
enthusiastic to learn more about it. They had turned their limitations into their advantages. Our
team faced no problem in maintaining the huge class and could teach them effortlessly. In the end, a
huge round of applause made us feel much appreciated.

2. We had kept a surprise element in our programme. On the first day, our students asked
them their birthdays. The fourth group prepared birthday greetings for them. On the last day gave
the cards to the children who had their birthdays in the month of July-August. The delight in the eyes
of the children melted our heart. We are even now continuing with this process and send greeting
cards to the children who have their birthday in that month.
We then invited them to visit our school. The zeal for learning in them was very high but
there was no proper infrastructure. When they came to our school, they were more than glad to
enjoy the facilities.
EXPERIENCE:
The activity turned out to be an eye opener for us. We had never assumed how difficult life
can be. Those little children taught us that learning happens not only with good infrastructure but
with dedication also. The level of discipline those children displayed is praiseworthy. After having
helped them we also felt proud of ourselves. Therefore, we are planning to visit them again in the
second term.