A day in ELI begins with a small lecture on the decided topic. We brief them on the basics and then help them do exercises. We take short breaks and also have activities like dancing, singing, drawing and painting. All this looks like an average day in school, but I believe that I’ve learnt more from them than I've taught. And it’s the simplest of things, things that I knew as a child but forgot in the race of growing up. It’s not just about teaching them English. It’s about the confidence they develop when they learn a new word. It’s about the smile they have on their innocent faces. And knowing that I gave them that smile is worth everything. Long lectures, submission deadlines, tests and presentations seem easier to handle because these kids act like a de-tox to a mind full of pressure throughout the week. I recently started teaching them origami. The naughtiest boy too sat patiently as he wanted to learn this “magic” of making paper kaleidoscope. And trust me if you can keep a child calmly engaged, you are no less than a magician!
ELI has not only given me the opportunity to play a part in giving back to society but it has also given me a dozen of little friends who have taught me that life is simple if you keep it that way. They have made me realize that at times, it’s important to distance yourself from all tensions and be a kid again, and not to give up on your hobbies. This initiative has helped me grow as a person by understanding the struggles of these kids in facing a world full of competitions. It has made me more empathetic towards the people around me. Despite all the hardships they face, these little kids come to school to learn. If they know the importance of not giving up, we as adults can surely learn this from them. I will miss teaching these kids for sure.
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