This Friday I went on Volunteer Day with my team. We went to Kadusonappanahalli Government School. We had chalked out an entire day of events for the kids of the primary school, about 250 in number.When I reached the destination, I could not believe that I had actually reached the school. It was unlike anything I had seen before. It was just a cluster of mud huts, that’s all. But the kids did not seem to mind. They were all very excited to see us.
After the initial preparations and setup, the activities of the day started. First up was a drawing competition for all classes, a-la Taare Zameen Par. The small kids seemed the most excited about using brand new stationery like pencils and colours. The drawing competition out of the way, it was time for the fun-stalls. All the kids were really kicked about winning fancy toys and chocolates while they played Break-the-Pyramid, Hoopla, and Basket-the-Ball. After this the kids took part in sack-race, balance-the-book-race, and musical chairs. The pre-lunch session was rounded up with a game of cricket between Ganguly XI and Tendulkar XI.
Lunch was amongst the most awaited events. These kids are provided lunch by the government under the mid-day meal scheme, but then we all know that the food is nothing to write home about. So we decided to give the children a special treat. They were served pulav, raita, curd-rice, and sweets. All of them came back for a second (and some for a third) helping.
After lunch, a magician entertained the kids. The day was rounded off with the prize distribution ceremony. Pencil boxes, geometry boxes, pencils, pens, sketch-pens, crayons, and chocolates – each prize had the kids’ eyes lighting up. And it was this moment that gave me the most satisfaction. I knew that in my own small way, I had made special 1 day in the lives of these kids.
