by Sunshine Team
Silvercity AOA very kindly gave Sunshine Society a complimentary stall during their Diwali Mela held on 16 October. Though the stall was to spread awareness about Sunshine Society about the good work that is being carried out by the residents of Silvercity collectively, the entire exercise turned out to be an experiental learning platform!
The beautifully decked up stall that showcased the artwork made by the children under the guidance of the volunteer teachers, drew the admiring visitors. There was nothing for sale, but the visitors stood there understanding about the Afterschool Study program in the community center in Gejha. They understood the power of collaboration, of support and of positivity. There was not just generous donations towards the cause, we also got a few volunteers to teach in the after school centre too!
The beautiful runners, cushion covers, envelops and book marks were handed out to the volunteer teachers and previous donors on behalf of the children.
The Afterschool study center in Gejha is a sight to behold – with Nirupama maa’m (Badi maa’m) ensuring that the children stay constructively occupied, Sunaina maa’m ensuring that the children understand the power of education, Seema maa’m concentrating on remedial classes, Rijita maa’m, Naghma maa’m ensuring the regular academics and Saba maa’m teaching maths and science to the senior children! Our Friday or activity day has Vinod sir introducing the children to the ‘wonder of science’. Non-availability of resources is not an issue as he brings them all – microscope, periodic tables, all materials required for various science experiments and more… his focus is to let the children know, to ignite their minds…. Nandini maa’m and Tanvi maa’m doing regular art workshops, Manju maa’m coming for Yoga and of course our Sunita maa’m infusing our children’s life with music. We now also have K.P. Singh sir for theatre! Our volunteers students bringing in the energy – Aamaar, Divij , Saarim, Saher, Eshani, Harsh and so many more…
Behind this amazing study center there is the raddi collection support from Silvercity coordinated by Dipali, Chaitali, Preeti, Anupama, Seema, Rijita and more…
The Diwali stall showcased all the above hard work behind the happy faces of our children and yes it was an experience when the little children of Silvercity came running to us to accept rupees 20, 30, 50, 100, 200…. All saved from the money given by their parents to eat and play games! They politely insisted that we take the amount when we asked if their parents knew about this.
Sunshine Society’s team Silvercity is in a happy place and the smiles on all faces shows it all!
