By: Pranav Nalam
My goal for this internship was to teach the children of Allampalli and help them on their path to achieving their goals. Little did I know that the children would teach me more than I taught them and that I would walk away as a different person.
When we first arrived in Allampalli, the children greeted us with a warm welcome to their school. They beat their drums and led us to our rooms, with the kids lined up from outside all the way to the entrance of the school. All of the interns felt humbled and amazed by this incredible gesture, as we felt we didn't deserve such an honor.
In the morning, the children followed a strict schedule, waking up at 4 AM and practicing yoga with complete dedication. Their skill and flexibility were remarkable; they could stand on their heads and even lie on their stomachs while bringing their feet all the way up to their faces. My friends and I were struggling to keep up with the kids, they were professionals. From this experience, I learned how and what it takes to be disciplined.
After breakfast, we spent some time with the students. They would come up to us in groups and greet us with various creative handshakes. They showed us different tricks, like how to make a snapping sound quickly with their fingers and how to "crack" a vein. We also interacted with the students to understand what they liked. I asked them what they wanted to pursue as a future career. Many wanted to become civil officers such as IAS and IPS, doctors, scientists, and pilots. They seemed incredibly determined to achieve their goal, you could just see it in their eyes.
In our Biology class, it was clear that the students were working their hardest to grasp the concepts and terms we introduced. While playing hangman, we discovered their remarkable retention and memory. They were eager to learn, absorbing everything we taught them. When we moved on to cells, the students quickly memorized and understood the functions of the different organelles. One student stood out for his dedication to becoming a doctor. When we offered the class a choice between learning about genomics or taking a break to play games, he chose to continue learning.
These children, who have limited opportunities, are achieving so much with what they have through sheer dedication. This experience was inspiring to me; it made me reflect on how much more we could achieve and help others if we fully committed to our goals, using the many privileges that we have. Having grit is essential, but what is grit? Grit is persistence and passion with no worry for awards and recognitions. During my time at Allampalli, I saw the students fully embody this definition, not caring about what they will get or worry about what they don’t have. They were solely focused on reaching their goals.
Other children also excelled in various areas. For example, another student aspires to become a pilot and is the number one archer in the state of Telangana. The dedication, talents, and skills these kids possess are spectacular.
Another thing I learned from these children is their kindness, warmth, and positive outlook on life. They always had big grins on their faces, radiating positivity. They were respectful and treated each other with compassion. They showed me that smiling makes life more enjoyable and beautiful.
Visiting the local villages known as Thandas further changed my perspective. Dirt roads allowed people to get from place to place, cattle were seen in every corner, and houses were made out of mud and straw. But still, the people were happy and continued to smile. I wondered: if these children were so happy with what they have, how much more happy should I be? The determination to achieve their goals, their family, and their friends was more than enough for these kids.
After our time in Allampalli, we visited the students of Nethra Vidyalaya, a school for visually challenged students. Despite their challenges, I quickly learned that nothing could hold them back. With the help of specialized computer software, these students can take tests and study independently. Many have won international and national awards and continue to push forward, proving their capability and determination. The perseverance of these students have inspired me to do better and push forward to achieve my own goals.
(Nethra Vidyalaya)
This experience has changed me profoundly, reminding me of how much I have to be grateful for. It showed me the importance of smiling, being compassionate, and maintaining discipline. The bonds you make with the students and your fellow interns are ones that you will never forget. These students have more potential than they realize, and I am confident they will achieve their dreams. They want to improve the lives of the people of their village and help their families. Going through the process of achieving their goals -the highs, the lows, and the mediums- is what makes them smile. Their resilience and joy have taught me that true strength and wisdom come from embracing life with positivity, regardless of circumstances.
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Swamiji and everyone else who made this internship possible and I highly recommend other people to use this opportunity. It will mean as much to the students as it will mean to you.
Comments