The first time I heard of VITeach was at a curtain-raiser which I chanced upon during an evening walk. Just the words kids and teaching were enough to get me excited. I particularly remember Datta's narration of his experiences with VITeach. I knew I wanted to be a part of this, right then. My best friend, Sanjay, was also super excited about this; and that was the beginning of our journey with VITeach. Him and I, we ended up bunking classes to be teaching at ADW. It was therapeutic. The school was a place where we could forget about college stress. The time that I spent with the kids, it was just pure bliss. Their innocence and love, they are sure to leave an everlasting mark on you.
Starting my third semester, I had to take up afternoon slots and wasn't able to visit the school for a few months. When I went back, the kids presented me with one of my most precious memories. They flocked around me and hugged me. "Akka, why don't you come anymore?"; "Please come teach us, Akka"; "You should teach us, we won't let you go otherwise" - they told me. All this love that they had to offer, it touched me profoundly.
It isn't just the kids, though. I have some beautiful memories with the team that I will always treasure. Heading the moderator team, likewise, was an exciting journey. All of those OB discussions; the meetings in Chandni di's room; staying up late making the wish tree; those 4 AM wake-up calls from Sanjay followed by going around the hostel waking people up for the Thiruvannamalai trips; visiting the Chennai Corporation schools; all those times Mayuri and I sat and sorted out the bills; those midnight sessions for correcting worksheets; and all the birthday surprises we had - it was just one mega ride.
I have learned and enjoyed a lot during my days of VITeach. It was during the VITeach farewell that it hit me - I'm no longer going to experience this again. I remember walking away from the crowd at the farewell with Sanjay. I'll admit, we were teary-eyed. It hurts me that I never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to the kids. No matter how many years pass by, VITeach will always have a special place in my heart.
The first time I heard of VITeach was at a curtain-raiser which I chanced upon during an evening walk. Just the words: kids and teaching, were enough to get me excited. I particularly remember Datta's narration of his experiences with VITeach. I knew I wanted to be a part of this, right then. My best friend, Sanjay, was also super excited about this; and that was the beginning of our journey with VITeach. He and I ended up bunking classes to teach at ADW. It was therapeutic. The school was a place where we could forget about college stress. The time that I spent with the kids, it was just pure bliss. Their innocence and love, they are sure to leave an everlasting mark on you.
Starting my third semester, I had to take up afternoon slots and wasn't able to visit the school for a few months. When I went back, the kids presented me with one of my most precious memories. They flocked around me and hugged me. "Akka, why don't you come anymore?"; "Please come teach us, Akka"; "You should teach us, we won't let you go otherwise" - they told me. All this love that they had to offer, it touched me profoundly.
It isn't just the kids, though. I have some beautiful memories with the team that I will always treasure. Heading the moderator team, likewise, was an exciting journey. All of those OB discussions; the meetings in Chandni di's room; staying up late making the wish tree; those 4 AM wake-up calls from Sanjay followed by going around the hostel waking people up for the Thiruvannamalai trips; visiting the Chennai Corporation schools; all those times Mayuri and I sat and sorted out the bills; those midnight sessions for correcting worksheets; and all the birthday surprises we had - it was just one mega ride.
I have learned and enjoyed a lot during my days of VITeach. It was during the VITeach farewell that it hit me - I'm no longer going to experience this again. I remember walking away from the crowd at the farewell with Sanjay. I'll admit, we were teary-eyed. It hurts me that I never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to the kids. No matter how many years pass by, VITeach will always have a special place in my heart.