Alana has just finished her 12 weeks in India, working for the Society of Poor Peoples Development in India teaching students who would not otherwise have access. Language in Group are committed to this charity, to send teachers to give children an opportunity to better themselves through language learning. We are currently looking for more volunteers for our next project starting in January 2011- email us your cv to find out more.
This is what Alana had to say of the experience:
“Shaking glitter from my hair and with my face still aching from all the laughter my last night at SPPD, Soriyampatty ended in a fun-filled, surprise party. Hard to imagine that over 14 weeks had passed since I first arrived. So long and yet so short. So much happened and at the same time life had become a series of routines that varied only with the weather, the games being played and a different chutney for breakfast. An amazing experience which I will remember always as one of the more difficult challenges I’ve set myself and yet one of the most rewarding too. I can’t imagine not returning one day and I dearly hope I still get the chance to meet up with some of the children again on a return visit.
It is impossible not to get to know the children in all their enthusiasm, joy, boisterousness and at times sadness. They are as one big family with all the ups and downs, fun and fights that occur between siblings. I felt welcomed as a part of that family whilst at SPPD and therefore cannot help but have an interest to know what will happen next as their difficult journey through life continues. However, it is India. Their future’s are uncertain and I can only be happy that we shared some fun times and lessons together. I had the privilege to be their teacher for 12 weeks and at the same time learn from them the importance of making the most of every day, every minute.
The children are the focal point of SPPD but the staff are the reason everything runs smoothly amidst the chaos that is normality in India. Even though the people who I spent most time with (kitchen staff and the children’s carers) had limited English, I always felt I had someone to talk to. Everyone made an effort to communicate and I can honestly say I never felt a language barrier. I was happy listening to Tamil conversations and shocking them by joining in in English if I recognised one or two words. The meal times were always a great time for sharing language lessons on a social basis. I learnt some Tamil and they learnt some English whilst we shared the delicious Tamil cooking of rice pancakes and chutney. I can’t imagine food without rice or chilli!
I can only recommend the experience for anyone who is willing to dedicate themselves to a teaching programme for 12 weeks and is happy to lose themselves in another culture’s routines and get a taste of country life in a children’s home in Tamil Nadu. I’m not saying the experience was always easy, I especially found the planning of lessons and writing the weekly plan a bit of a nightmare. But, it always got done and was essential to the teaching. If I have any regrets it would be that I didn’t have any extra time after the 12 weeks just to ‘hang out’ with the children and perhaps see a bit more of the beautiful surrounding area.
If you want to find out more from me you’re welcome to contact me personally on my email, alanafelt@yahoo.co.uk”
Alana dances with students in India
