Joining a club wasn't initially part of my plan during my college years. On a random day in my second year, I realized that I had this crave to join a club. As I went through various Instagram pages of other clubs, I came across "VITeach," which was recruiting at the time. Scrolling through their posts, I discovered their mission of going to schools, teaching, and conducting events. This immediately excited me, even though the idea of being part of something like this had never crossed my mind before.
Despite my love for interacting with kids and frequently teaching my friends, who often complimented my teaching style, I hadn't imagined myself joining a club focused on school outreach. However, the more I learned about it, the more attracted I became to their goal of bringing positive change to underprivileged children. I joined the club during the online COVID-19 period of time and was captivated by their motto and activities, such as visiting government schools and striving to make a difference in the lives of these children.
I initially joined the design team somewhat randomly. Our design head assured us that no prior experience was needed, just a willingness to learn and work. It was then that I discovered my passion for designing, which I found immensely enjoyable. Despite my primary contributions being in the design team, I also got the chance to interact with kids during our online outreach programs.
One of my first significant interactions involved assisting in teaching Python to 11th-grade students in Mumbai's slum areas. Although we were mostly assisting our seniors and clearing the students' doubts, this experience was incredibly fulfilling. It was my first time interacting with kids in an educational setting, and I eagerly awaited the opportunity to meet them in person.
My first visit to a school was for an event where I taught first-grade kids. I hadn't expected it to go so well or to receive so much love from such tiny children. This wholesome experience highlighted the struggles these kids faced, such as one child not knowing the difference between alphabets. Interacting with these kids became one of the best parts of my journey creating memories that I cherish deeply.
Managing events and conducting sessions could be stressful, but seeing the kids' smiles made it all worthwhile. The sessions eventually ended, and we returned to college, but I frequently visited schools for various events, such as distributing stationery and conducting activities. Each visit brought new experiences and connections with different classes, from first to seventh grade.
One of the most heartwarming aspects was how the kids remembered me, even if I struggled to remember all their names and faces. They would greet me with "Akka, do you remember me?" making each visit incredibly special. Reflecting on my college life, the moments spent with VITeach stand out as some of the happiest and most memorable.
This place has not only provided me with fulfilling experiences but also helped me grow personally. As an introvert, I wouldn't have met or interacted with so many wonderful people if it weren't for this club. The club introduced me to inspiring individuals, including previous office bearers like Aravind and Harshita, who played a significant role in my growth.
I am immensely grateful for VITeach which has taught me so much and allowed me to develop in ways I hadn't anticipated. This phase inspired me to strive to make a positive impact on others' lives. While I may have eventually developed this mindset, VITeach was the catalyst that sparked this passion. It has inspired me to be a force for change and to work towards the well-being of children.
Writer-Editor: Lavanya Darshni
Joining a club wasn't initially part of my plan during my college years. On a random day in my second year, I realized that I had this crave to join a club. As I went through various Instagram pages of other clubs, I came across "VITeach," which was recruiting at the time. Scrolling through their posts, I discovered their mission of going to schools, teaching, and conducting events. This immediately excited me, even though the idea of being part of something like this had never crossed my mind before.
Despite my love for interacting with kids and frequently teaching my friends, who often complimented my teaching style, I hadn't imagined myself joining a club focused on school outreach. However, the more I learned about it, the more attracted I became to their goal of bringing positive change to underprivileged children. I joined the club during the online COVID-19 period of time and was captivated by their motto and activities, such as visiting government schools and striving to make a difference in the lives of these children.
I initially joined the design team somewhat randomly. Our design head assured us that no prior experience was needed, just a willingness to learn and work. It was then that I discovered my passion for designing, which I found immensely enjoyable. Despite my primary contributions being in the design team, I also got the chance to interact with kids during our online outreach programs.
One of my first significant interactions involved assisting in teaching Python to 11th-grade students in Mumbai's slum areas. Although we were mostly assisting our seniors and clearing the students' doubts, this experience was incredibly fulfilling. It was my first time interacting with kids in an educational setting, and I eagerly awaited the opportunity to meet them in person.
My first visit to a school was for an event where I taught first-grade kids. I hadn't expected it to go so well or to receive so much love from such tiny children. This wholesome experience highlighted the struggles these kids faced, such as one child not knowing the difference between alphabets. Interacting with these kids became one of the best parts of my journey creating memories that I cherish deeply.
Managing events and conducting sessions could be stressful, but seeing the kids' smiles made it all worthwhile. The sessions eventually ended, and we returned to college, but I frequently visited schools for various events, such as distributing stationery and conducting activities. Each visit brought new experiences and connections with different classes, from first to seventh grade.
One of the most heartwarming aspects was how the kids remembered me, even if I struggled to remember all their names and faces. They would greet me with "Akka, do you remember me?" making each visit incredibly special. Reflecting on my college life, the moments spent with VITeach stand out as some of the happiest and most memorable.
This place has not only provided me with fulfilling experiences but also helped me grow personally. As an introvert, I wouldn't have met or interacted with so many wonderful people if it weren't for this club. The club introduced me to inspiring individuals, including previous office bearers like Aravind and Harshita, who played a significant role in my growth.
I am immensely grateful for VITeach which has taught me so much and allowed me to develop in ways I hadn't anticipated. This phase inspired me to strive to make a positive impact on others' lives. While I may have eventually developed this mindset, VITeach was the catalyst that sparked this passion. It has inspired me to be a force for change and to work towards the well-being of children.
Writer-Editor: Lavanya Darshni