Photo Bulletin august 2025

With the onset of the monsoon, the migration that had taken place during the summer has come to an end, and now all the families have returned to their huts. Their huts have also been rebuilt, and along with that, our classes on the settlement have resumed. Compared to last year, this time there is a noticeable change children have developed a genuine interest in learning. Last year, when we used to go to the settlement to teach, the children weren’t very enthusiastic. They would arrive late, and some even avoided coming altogether. There was little interest in education. Comments like “I don’t want to study,” “I don’t want to write,” along with fighting and quarrelling among themselves, were quite common. Many children didn’t participate in most activities.

But this year tells a completely different story. On the very first day, Navinta and I arrived at the settlement and were pleasantly surprised—children were already there, freshly bathed, neat and tidy, waiting eagerly. As soon as they saw us, they exclaimed with excitement, “Madam, we came before you! Teach us now!”

That moment immediately reminded me of the situation last year. The summer sessions held at Riyaaz’s home, the adventurous visits, external exposure trips, and all the opportunities given to them to learn new things have played a significant role in this transformation. These activities not only sparked a desire to learn but also helped the children discover the joy of learning.

And now, even on the very first day, they’re so eager to learn! Seeing this change in their attitude filled me with happiness. So, we started conducting classes from the very first day itself.

Now, every morning at 10 o’clock, the children are ready to learn cheerful, enthusiastic, and full of energy. Their perspective toward education has changed thanks to learning beyond textbooks, hands-on experiences, and fun-filled activities. As a result, today these children actively participate in class, ask questions, and are ready to learn in order to achieve their dreams.

Their entire community, along with their families, was engaged in cattle rearing during that time. But with the arrival of the rains, they have now returned to their original place. Their huts have been rebuilt, and we, too, have resumed our teaching on the settlement. I work with the Pre-Primary age group very young children, aged between 3 to 6 years. Their sweet innocence, combined with their learning journey, is something truly special and it needs to be approached with care and thoughtfulness.

I had just started working with them, and one question constantly lingered in my mind: “How will I teach these adorable little ones?”
There was a bit of fear, a little hesitation… but still, I went with my team to their huts. That’s when I noticed something—the children were a bit scared to see me. They clung tightly to the teachers they were already familiar with. That’s when I realized: the first step must be building a connection.

So, I began visiting their homes. I spoke with their families. Gradually, I extended this dialogue to the children, playfully and warmly.
When it comes to pre-primary kids, play is the real key to connection and learning. So, I carefully chose games that involved saying names, moving their hands and feet, singing songs—activities that would engage them and spark their interest in learning.

And in no time, the children began to open up. They started smiling, laughing, and having fun. Seeing their innocent smiles brought immense joy to my heart. Within just a few days, I could sense a huge transformation. Now, when I arrive at the settlement, these very children run to greet me! Some even grab my hand and lead me straight to their hut. Among them are sweet kids like Tulsi, Kinjal, Gopi, Jigar, Aarti, and Haresh each full of enthusiasm in their own unique way.

Slowly, our friendship began to blossom. Now when I visit the settlement, the children come running out of their huts as soon as they see me. They speak joyfully, they start playing. I play with them, try to understand their feelings, make them laugh… and just like that, I become a part of their world.

Today, I’m not just their teacher I’ve also become their friend. A friend who plays, teaches, and keeps learning himself. Sometimes, in the process of teaching, I find myself reliving my own childhood without even realizing where the time went!

Teaching these little ones and forming a sweet friendship with them is the true essence of education. In their innocent laughter and sparkling eyes, I’ve rediscovered a piece of my own long-lost childhood.

At first, I was a bit confused new place, unfamiliar people, and a mind full of questions. But as the days went by, a unique sense of belonging started to grow. We began our work with community visits. Initially, I was hesitant to start conversations with people. Thoughts like, “Should I speak first?” or “Will they accept me?” lingered in my mind. But once we started talking, a genuine sense of warmth and connection began to build. People smiled, opened up, and started sharing their experiences and with that, a sense of closeness developed.

Once, we were on our way to the settlement, and we met Dadaji (an elder in the community) on the road. He said, “Come on, I’ll drop you.” That little lift didn’t just shorten the distance physically it also brought us emotionally closer. In that simple moment, a bond beyond acquaintance was formed with someone who was once a stranger.

During our visits to the community, we conducted various fun activities and games. We had storytelling, drawing sessions, and playful interactions with the children. While doing all of this, we ourselves had so much fun. People laughed, played, opened up and in their joy, our hearts were filled too.

But the experience with the children was even more special. Initially, it was a bit difficult to remember all their names. They looked at us as “new people,” but within just a few days, they started blending in with us. We conducted engaging activities and new games with them. Though we were trying to reach out to them, honestly it was they who came forward and embraced us.

They still can’t pronounce my name correctly. Some call me “Prachi,” others say “Pachi”… but there’s such sweetness in their innocent attempts it fills me with joy. Each day brings a new experience, a new conversation, a new bond—and through this, our true journey has begun.

Though this time has been short, it has been filled with rich experiences. Every day brings something new to learn, new things to understand and I can see a positive change happening within myself. The children here used to be afraid of going to school.
To them, school was a place of fear. “Teachers will scold us, punish us…” this fear kept them from even wanting to go near a school.

And this is where my real journey began not just the act of teaching, but guiding children back toward school.
I decided that the first step was to build trust with the children. I started playing with them, chatting with them, and speaking their language literally and emotionally. Gradually, they began to feel like I was one of their own and I too felt like a part of them.

After that, I began reaching out to their parents. I visited each child’s home and spoke to their mothers and fathers. We discussed why the children weren’t attending school. And then, I began personally escorting each child to school from their home.

Today, many of those children come to school happily. They sit in class, listen attentively, and even try to answer questions. Now, instead of fear in their eyes, I can see confidence. In teaching these children, I have learned so much myself. I’ve realized that communication is not just about speaking it’s about truly understanding. Understanding is about standing in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective. This is the lesson I learn anew every single day.

They’re learning and alongside them, my own journey of learning and teaching continues.