Two years ago, I was at a Starbucks, grabbing a cup of coffee, when a young barista recognised me. He was an Akanksha student and had a summer job there — one he had earned because he was confident and conversant in English. With quiet pride, he insisted on giving me his employee discount.
That moment was priceless because I knew the circumstances in which he had grown up. He wasn't just serving coffee; he was giving something back. His pride, dignity, and confidence said more than words ever could. In many ways, that single interaction sums up why we do what we do at Akanksha.
"As long as I am walking, talking, and healthy, I will continue to be a part of Akanksha."
I have been associated with Akanksha for the past 22 years as a volunteer, and over these years, I have seen countless lives transformed through education. You can often tell Akanksha children apart easily. They are smart. Their English is strong. Even when they don't know the answer, they speak up confidently and try. They carry values such as respect for elders, discipline, courtesy, and use magic words like 'please' and 'thank you' that stay with them for life.
My own journey with Akanksha began in 2002, in its early days at the St. Xavier's centre. I had always been interested in teaching and had been an active member of the Parents Teachers Association at my children's school. It was my elder daughter, Nidhi, who pushed me to pursue volunteering at Akanksha. I haven't looked back since.
Back then, we worked with a limited number of children, interactions were more personal, and we followed our own simple curriculum. Sometimes I would visit other schools, acting as a substitute teacher when their teacher was on leave.
I spent ten years at that centre, and those were formative years for all of us. There was a time when we would give students ten rupees just so they could come to school and learn. I am still in touch with them through an active WhatsApp group — watching them grow, build careers, and raise families of their own.
For the past decade, I have been volunteering at Akanksha's Sitaram Mills Compound MPS. Teaching English has always been my forte; I work with the children on their spoken English skills, elocution, poetry, grammar, and reading the newspaper. I have taught children from KG to higher classes, adapting my approach to their needs and abilities.
Sometimes, all it takes is focused attention and encouragement to help a child believe in themselves. Even if I teach ten sentences and a child remembers just two, it makes my day. Seeing what they have picked up and retained is my greatest satisfaction.
The changes I have seen over the past two decades have been remarkable. Technology, in particular, has transformed the way children learn. They respond instinctively to digital tools. Sometimes, I ask the children for help navigating these! I am also touched by the changes I see in parents. There is far greater awareness today about equality, gender sensitivity, and the importance of education. Parents are equally invested in the futures of their daughters and sons.
What makes all this work is continuity and commitment. Children are perceptive — they read you as much as you read them. When they see you show up consistently, they trust you.
Volunteering with Akanksha has given meaning to my life. The positive energy, warmth, and smiles that welcome me every time I return after a short break make me feel like I have come back to where I was meant to be. As long as I am walking, talking, and healthy, I will continue to be a part of Akanksha.
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