-Navinta Dongre
I first met Mali at the Beda. Mali was thirteen years old, and her eyes reflected a strong desire to learn. Initially, since I was teaching the pre-primary class, she didn’t speak much with me.
We used to visit her home regularly, and whenever we went, she would ask me and Komal Tai questions that she could use in her daily life. To this, we would tell her, “Take the time you can, we will teach you.”
Mali’s days are very busy. She wakes up in the morning and washes the household utensils, then feeds the cows, and cleans the dung all of these are her daily chores. Over the past few days, gradual changes have been visible in her routine. Now, despite completing all her daily chores, she still finds time in the afternoon to come and study with me. In class, she sits with her brothers and sisters.
She wants to learn language and mathematics. She often says, “Madam, when we go to the market, I should know how to count how many items we bought, how much money to pay, and how much to take back.” Sometimes she also asks, “Madam, will I be able to do it? Can I manage? Will I be able to?”
At that time, I explain to her, “Mali, you can do it. Just practice regularly.” Now, she is starting to understand both language and mathematics. Her steps are slowly moving forward.
Mali’s mother has also started saying,
“Madam, please teach my Mali well. She also studies at home and does her homework.”
Hearing this gives me great joy. It shows that the parents notice my work, how I am teaching her, and how she is changing – and all of this gives me satisfaction.
She always asks,
“Will I be able to do it, Madam? Did I do it today?”
I always tell her, “The more you practice, the better you will become.”
Now, her determination to learn is clearly visible. She reads many words, expresses new ideas, and attempts to read her book, listen to stories, and write words all on her own. She completes the math exercises I give her. Seeing her efforts is very heartening. Her hard work shows that her determination will surely take her far.