These kids are touching my heart. Yesterday we had a class gathering and the director of the school announced that 3 of the students had passed exams that they had studied for on their own. The students were given the material and told to study when they had the time and without instruction from anyone else. The director mentioned how this was the first time they had tried such an “experiment” and how nervous she was for the results. Fortunately, she has done such an amazing job with these students that they had passed the two subjects they tested in. The three were Devender, Shree and Raju- all students in my photography class. When she was announcing this, I cried. I was filled with happiness and excitement for these students. After being with them going on almost 3 weeks, I have been able to see what struggles they face with learning and the ways that their surroundings have so much power to lead them away from the right track. I couldn’t help but feel so proud and in that moment, everything came together. All my doubts went away and tears of joy took their place. Gabby was laughing at me as I sat there just so proud.
On a lighter, less emotional note- I have successfully run my Photopals program! Today the students got to see their photos in hard form and put them into their own little books. They were all so anxious to come into the room and put it together that they kept sneaking in to “get books” from our newly created library. I couldn’t help but laugh. They’re all so wonderful. After we made their books, some of them showed me pieces of their artwork. Man, these kids are some talented people. I was then given art from Khan, Vipin, Devender and Amaan. I made sure to take photos with the artists and told them that their pieces would go on my wall once I returned home. I’m so excited to have a little piece of them even when I go back to the states.
Since tomorrow is the last day before all the students come back to the program, we’re going to have a little celebration for my birthday! I’m excited to share such a wonderful event with them. I was going to leave to Dharmshala this weekend, but there’s no other people I could imagine celebrating my 20th birthday with! Even though it’s not until Tuesday, hahaha. The girls in the house are also planning a birthday celebration for me tomorrow after I get back from the school. They’re all going home for their summer breaks on Saturday and since I won’t see them again before I leave, they really want to hang out. I can’t wait! They mentioned something about southern Delhi and a mall of some sort. We’re going to dress up and have a good time! Then it’s off to see Branden, hopefully. He’s still not fully settled, seeing that he just arrived last night and hadn’t secured a place yet! I want to see that guy before heading north on Wednesday. For my actual birthday, Gabby and I are going to have a last hoorah at the Geoffrey. It’s almost been a full 3 weeks since I’ve been in India and it is all coming together : D
So lovely to see these kids proud of their own work. Macy, it looks like you are enjoying yourself and, more importantly, finding meaning in what you are doing, making connections with those around you and surmounting the inevitable challenges that have come your way. How long will you be in northern India?
ReplyDeleteI will be up North for 3 weeks. I was suppose to leave this coming Wed, but it looks like I will be heading out a little later than planned.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!