I’ve spent the last week and a half surrounded by some very noisy and expressive kids! While this probably isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, I’ve loved it! I’m in India conducting story writing workshops with children here.
Showing kids the ‘story tellers mat’ helping them to descibe their lives with all their senses and emotions
One of the most exciting aspects of my work is inspiring children to believe in themselves and that what they have to say is really important. Even more vital is that we respond actively to what is voiced; children themselves, community members and World Vision staff.
I’ve been absolutely inspired by the children and young people I’ve worked with here. I wanted to share with you a couple of stories that are particularly special from Vaishali ADP.
A group of young lads with a powerful message to the world; “education is our right”
“Education is very precious for human being. Without education human is like an animal. And education is the mirror of our society. Without seeing in the mirror our self we are not satisfied, same way without education we are not feeling internal peace.
Some of the older boys in a ‘peer learning group’
When we are doing the study, we are learning new lessons. When we are doing the study in that time we are also getting entertainment. And because of education we come to know how we have to live in this world. This is a proverb, ‘education is the only means in which we can go forward in life’. Now this modern era, without education no work is possible.
When we become educated person then our younger brother and sister will be aware about the education and they will also be interested to get involved in study. Because of education we achieve something and then our society, our state, our country can become proud. This is our shout in all the streets, “education is our right”. Mahamata Gandhi also told like this, ‘never live like an uneducated person’ and we are promising here that our village, our society will be educated. Without education we are nothing!”
Richardson 16yrs, Navin 17yrs, Sonu 15yrs, Ravikant 17yrs, Jahindra 16yrs, Raja 14yrs, Sumit 13yrs, Suraj 10yrs, Mukesh 10yrs, Rahul 15yrs, Avinash 13yrs, Praveen 14yrs, Nikesh 11yrs
What’s particularly special is that this group included boys from 10 years of age to 17. All members contributed and exchanged such profound reflections about the education they valued so dearly. I witnessed real leadership from the older ones and saw how they inspired the younger ones. This is a powerful example of peer learning.
I wanted to show you Asmita’s point of view. As the boys said; “education is our right” and it’s a girl’s right too! Asmita shared her emotion and experience of gender bias and how domestic labour is a barrier to her attendance and engagement in education.
Asmita reading her story to the group
Jobs stop me from studying
“In Bihar state people’s livelihood is agriculture, people are farming for their food. Sometimes my mother says ‘you do this work’, then I’ve done that work, but I’m also saying to my mother that I have to go to school. But my mother says ok, you go to your school but first you finish your work. To hear this I became angry and the next day I wake up early morning and I clean the house and I bring the water and I cook the food and after that I feed my parents and brother and sister and then go to school.
When I’m working I feel my brother is doing the study and I’m cooking the food. Sometime my mother went for farming work, that time I prepare the food at my house and feed my family member and after that very fast I get ready and I go to school. When I’m reaching school I saw my class is started, then because of fear I come back to home. Sometime I’m bringing the water, cleaning the house, washing the pots and then go to school. When I’m doing less of this work then I go to school on time and I’m living the happy life.”
Asmita 15yrs
Many of the children from the story telling workshop in Vaishali ADP
I always like to encourage children to present their stories to the wider group and community members that are present. Asmita stood up and spoke with such bravery and passion and her voice was heard. I had so much respect for her. Now the next step is to bring the change.
Tomorrow I’ll share a few more of the kid’s stories with you and tell you about the monsoon here – it’s even worse than rain in the UK!
If you’ve got any questions for me about my trip or what life is like in India please post them below or on Facebook. You’ll also find some more photos on Facebook – you might even be able to recognise your own Sponsored Child in there.
Steve Richards is a Children’s Communications Specialist with World Vision UK. He seeks to give the children we work with the skills and confidence to write and speak for themselves in their own words. He is working in India right now.
Great to hear these stories, thanks. Helps make the sponsorship even more real.
Thanks Jim! I’m glad that it can give you a sense of reality for children in India… stay blessed
Steve
Love to hear stories like this. We sponser a little girl who comes from Vaishali.
Hi Christine…. Vaishali was an amazing experience… despite the downpours in the muggy ‘grey’… the children’s stories brought a lot of light!
My friend, congratulations !! thanks to your passion and love for children, you are inspiring the whole team from sponsorship Bolivia, let’s go for more !!!
Hola Jose… we can only do better! Hope to see you soon…
Blessings – Steve
Amazing to see how responsive the children are not just to th tools you have created but h passion you engage them with! Good stuff to read and even better to be there!
Dave R.
Hi Jim, My name is Phyll and my sponsor child is Tridev(10yrs) from Vaishali ADP.Sadly due to firstly my fathers death in Dec 2010 leaving my mother who has alzhiemers, and then in Oct 2011 the loss of my brother-in-law after a long battle with cancer, poor Tridev must be thinking we have forgotten all about him. Looking after Mum who is not enjoying being in a home has consumed both my time and my energy. Thankyou so much for this news hot off the press, I’m always thrilled to hear what is being done. I love the enthusiasum of the children of this region, especially towards their education as I wrestle on a daily basis with some lovely children here in Plymouth from deprived backgrounds that have no appreciation of their schooling. If you do get the chance to pass on a friendly hello to Tridev whos birthday in May I missed as I attempted to do an ‘on-line’ card which I think failed to send. I think there was something wrong with my computer at the time. I will try to get my head round some correspondence soon.You will know if you meet him he has the most amazing smile, such a handsome young man! Keep up the good work, many thanks for the blogs.By the way we are having a heat wave, the rain has gone!
Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for you note…. sounds like you’ve been going through a very challenging time. Blessings through that… I have experience of caring for family members that have alzhiemers and appreciate how distressing and draining it is! More blessings and energy to you in this phase….
I agree with you regarding value of education. I have experience of working with young people in the UK from deprived backgrounds that don’t appreciate education. I’d love them to meet the children in the countries I visit.
Unfortunately I’m no longer in Vaishali. I’m sure that Tridev and his family would be very happy to hear from you when you get the chance.
I’m glad you are enjoying the blogs – watch this space!
Steve
it’s a real priviledge and honour…
bless
S!
Thanks very much Steve. Feels great to be connected to these children through the valuable work that World Vision conducts around the world. May the powers always be with you all. Anita.
Hi Anita. I’m really glad that you could feel a connection to the children. Thanks for the blessings!
Steve
Thank you, very interesting and I realise I don’t write to Sachin the lad I sponsor in Patna often enough.Must do better as my school reports in the 1940′s used to say.
Hi Brenda,
Great to have you involved…. we can all, always do better!
Thanks for your sponsorship, you are making a real difference.
Steve
Thanks for the email, I’ve only just picked it up. I sponsor a young girl in Vaishali, I hope you had chance to work with her. Her last letter to me contained her first attempts at letter writing and I look forward to getting to know her better as her writing skills improve. Thanks so much for info from India I scan WV India facebook page regularly for pictures and updates from Vaishali.
Love and best wishes to all.
Maria
Hi Maria… thanks for your support, it really makes a difference… I hope that as your sponsored child develops her communication skills you will gain a deeper connectivity to her experience.
Blessings.
Steve
Asmita’s story is really inspiring, I think she is brave to speak out. This blog is a brilliant idea for providing an insight into the lives of the children we hope to help. It makes a lovely change to see children valuing education, and it’s good to see the inspiring work that you are doing.