Millo at Large

Day five was a Tuesday, and the teacher I was with only teaches two classes that day, so I was expecting it to be relaxing. I got to school and was sitting in the staff room when I received a WhatsApp notification from the teacher I was working with, saying he would be late and that one of the kids had gotten into an accident and would benefit from something from his class. He told me to have the students make cards for their friend.

He trusted me (as he should), so I got the materials and went upstairs at the beginning of the period. I also had another volunteer with me who spoke Hindi, so I was fully confident. We both got the classes together and told them about their friend’s accident and that we were going to make him cards. We distributed all materials and gave them full creative freedom. For once, the class was focused and doing their best to complete the task. It made me very happy knowing the class is so tight-knit and that all the kids truly care for each other in and out of class. All the cards were completed, and finally, the teacher arrived. I saw all the students come together to help one of their peers.

I had free time until the afternoon, so the teacher asked me to make a poster for the class. This worried me because I am not the most crafty person. I tried my best, and to be honest, the result wasn’t too bad. The class’s theme is “House of Officers,” which ties into the theme of the Indian army. So in my poster, I tried to incorporate a lot of the army colors (emphasis on tried).

We ended the day with the extra class, where everyone decorated the room to make it feel more “roomy.” Overall, it was a good and calm day, and it showed me the importance of a community.