I had no idea that the volunteer experience I was going to have with FSL India would turn out to be one of the most rewarding and touching experiences of my life. Participating in a community service initiative that collaborates with Bangalore government schools was an exceptional opportunity.  

My part in this amazing project was to educate fifth graders, an energetic group of eleven-year-olds full of curiosity and energy. We were addressed as “Akka – meaning Elder Sister” by them, and they were quite curious. These kids had a way of elevating every experience, from their inquisitive queries about everything to their dances to tunes we had never heard before.

But there were obstacles in the way of educating these young minds. One of the biggest challenges we had was teaching a class of such energetic young people. It was a big job for the three of us to teach one lesson. At that point, we made the more sensible decision to split them up into smaller groups. This allowed us to better meet each student’s unique learning demands while simultaneously making it simpler to control their enthusiasm.

The language barrier was the second obstacle that put our determination to the test. Even though I’m from Bangalore, my proficiency in Kannada was nowhere near as good as theirs. It served as a lesson in flexibility and originality. Adapting and creating innovative methods to establish a connection with students and facilitate their learning became essential since each class presented a unique set of challenges.

These encounters gave me valuable life skills that I can apply outside of the classroom. Two traits that turned into my greatest allies were patience and resilience. We had to exercise an endless amount of patience when dealing with the energetic and often mischievous kids, so as not to dampen their enthusiasm. Conversely, resilience served as the basis of our journey. Every obstacle we encountered strengthened our resolve to improve the lives of these young students.

A sketching competition was one of the most memorable events we planned. It served as a means of encouraging creativity. The kids were free to express themselves because of the invitation’s open-ended format. We added a twist as the competition went on by giving participants specific objects or themes to continuously include into their artwork. The goal of this task was to improve their ability to focus and manage their time, equipping them for the fast-paced environment they will encounter in the future. 

Teaching students about waste management was an essential part of our curriculum. We intended to give students a thorough awareness of the differences between wet and dry waste. We used a comprehensive strategy to highlight the idea’s significance for promoting sustainability and environmental protection. The content was made more approachable by using real-world examples, and an interesting exercise involving garbage segregation improved their public speaking abilities in addition to strengthening their comprehension.

In addition to giving the children useful skills, this holistic approach to waste management education gave them the self-assurance they needed to grow up to be responsible, environmentally concerned global citizens.

To sum up, I had an amazing experience teaching fifth graders at the school affiliated with FSL India. The happy times, the difficulties encountered, and the lessons discovered have deeply impacted my heart and understanding. I have learned as much from these bright young brains as they have from me. 

Shreya Mohan