18 MAR, 2019
We entered the humble and colourful premise of The Little Hands school in Yerwada basti to be greeted by zestful first and second grade students, armed with crisp plaid uniforms and big grins.
We started with a game of musical chairs as an ice breaker, where the kids showed us how to play fair and be encouraging With the kids cheering on, the Prayas team played next, demonstrating poker faces, clever tactics and ambition to sit on that one foot tall chair at any cost This was sure an ice breaker, with the kids giggling with shock and amusement.
Nazia, a second grade student recited a welcome speech she had prepared for us. Though overwhelmed by the number of new faces, she stuttered a little but pushed through. Nazia, like the children and teachers of The little Hands school hails from the surrounding basti, belonging to a family of blue collar workers, she dreams of being Doctor, a dream the founders of the school intend to help realize.
Seated on the chairs that were donated through the Daan Utsav event, Mr Maninder Singh, director of The Little Hands school walked us through the inception, ideology and vision of the School.
We were introduced to the teachers, residing in the same basti, these are educated erstwhile homemakers, now trained to teach primary school children in an English curriculum.
The kids presented us with hugs and beautiful paintings as a parting gift. You will find them placed around the office .
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