Help my children dream bigger :) | Milaap
Help my children dream bigger :)
  • Alaka

    Created by

    Alaka G Varma


Kannammapet is an area located at the heart of the city of Chennai yet it’s vastly different from its neighborhood. Widely known for its colossal crematorium, the community is open to violence to an extent that it has become a habit within the community. This is the community from which hail the children I teach.  

They say two days are most important in your life: the day you’re born and the day you find out why. Over the last one year, 25 curious little monsters of 3rd Grade, Chennai Primary School, Kannammapet have become ‘the why’ of my life. These are kids for whom school was a pass-time and quality education was just a fantasy. These are kids for whom shoes and bags are a luxury. These are kids who couldn’t dream of anything bigger than becoming a rickshaw driver.
However, these are kids for whom seeing a video on laptop would make their day. These are the kids who would spend their pocket money to buy you gifts every day. These are the kids who made me question some of my strongest convictions. These are the kids who would love you unconditionally and teach you how to do it. These are the kids who are my bundles of joy.

I’ve been teaching them for the past one year and their brilliance and eagerness astound me every single day. Ranjith, who was tagged as ‘useless’ by other teachers in school, solves two-digit addition and subtraction problems now. Vishwa was appalled to hear that we live ‘on the surface’ of the earth and not ‘inside’ it. Now, he knows that we are able to stand on earth because earth pulls us towards it. Kowshik, had to hit kids around to express, because that’s the only way he knew how to. He is now the child who gives you the warmest of smiles. Tamil, used to be afraid to go back home on his own, helps his mother by getting her grocery from shop. Priyadarshini, never liked to come to school, urges her mother to get up early in the morning so that she could go to school early. Each and every one of them unknowingly has inspired me to become a better person in life.
I aim to provide these children with the best education possible. Pursuing my second year of fellowship in Teach for India, I have charted out an elaborate plan to make learning an even better experience for my children. I am looking to raise some funds for the same. This is where, you can help me. The time that you spent to read this, means a lot to me and my kids. It would make a world of difference to us if you can go an extra mile and help us dream a little bigger.
The following are the things I have planned/things I need to get for this academic year, for which I need the financial support.
  • Painting the classroom, with ‘Explore the Cosmos’ as a theme
  • Assemble a library in school (includes painting the room, assembling furniture, electricity work, collecting books)
  • Field trips in and around Chennai for interactive learning
  • Projector screen and white board
  • Stationery – Pencils, erasers, notebooks, bags,
  • Learning resources (Other than school textbooks): Activity books, learning aid, dictionary, assessment banks, alternate curriculum textbooks.
  • Board games, football and other sports equipment.
We are grateful to you for considering this campaign of ours. We would be ecstatic if you could spread word about this initiative and help us raise the required funds. You could also donate an amount you see fit for this cause if we have been able to move you enough to make an impression on our lives. Also, if you would like to support by directly helping us getting these resources and materials, do leave an email at alaka.varma2015@teachforindia.org.  We thank you in advance for your time and effort.


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