From London to Bhajanpura - My Experience with Parichay: August 2012

When I applied for my internship with Parichay Abhigyan Society I was clueless for the most part about how the experience would be. I had few pre-conceived ideas about how the project would be structured and laid out, but I did not anticipate the project would impact so greatly on my life. After a few days of arriving in Delhi, my internship begun, and upon meeting the senior children for the first time, I was welcomed with such respect as their 'Bhaiya', which they referred to me as throughout my internship. I was struck by their politeness and respect for me, which never depleted throughout my entire stay with them. This was perhaps the greatest contrast I noticed between children in England and the children I met at Parichay. Despite their background, the children had a great thirst for education, and were extremely-well mannered.

In my internship I interacted with three groups; I had an English conversation class with four girls, a senior class to which I taught English, Science, Mathematics and Urdu, and then a junior class to which I taught Hindi. The most enjoyable element of these classes was the great reciprocity of learning that was constantly occurring. I often learned new things from the children (especially with Hindi), and I was able to share my own knowledge with the children - for example Urdu, and teaching the seniors a Japanese form of multiplication solving.

The children's thirst for learning never made the classes dull, and I was constantly testing new methods in which to ensure comprehension of new material with the children, and it was this thirst for learning, and life, that helped me bond with the children throughout this process.

In order to understand the process of how Parichay is funded, I also visited many corporate houses for Parichay's spices and handicraft stalls. At one corporate house, STMicroelectronics, it was commented by many staff members that I had managed the stall very well. As my bond grew with the children at Parichay, the more I wanted to help the project in any way I could - as with many foreigners, I was suffering with a re-occurring stomach infection throughout my trip, yet I never once let this stop me from attending the project site - no matter how hot it was or how weak I was feeling.

Towards the final week of my internship, it was dawning on me that I had to leave the project, and due to my growing bond with the children, this was becoming hard for me to comprehend. I had become so attached and adjusted within the project that such a short internship seemed a part of my daily life. This attachment was also showing in the seniors too, particularly when Kailash would shake my hand to say hello or goodbye, and not let go. Whenever I see my photos of Kailash smiling, it is charm of this bright, young boy that brings a smile to my face.

When I begun my internship, I expected to have a very formal learning process about the functioning of an NGO, but this was not the case. I learned that intimacy is very important in creating a network of support for Parichay, and that the emotive element is very much needed to create a strong, unified bond that keeps the project alive with energy and enthusiasm.

When I first spoke to Vijay Bajpai on the phone before arriving in Delhi, he commented that Parichay is a large family. I did not realise how true this was until the end of the trip. When the senior girls were asking me not to forget them a few days before I left, I made it clear to them that I can never forget them - I now have a second family in India, and that I promise to return and visit them all again.

It is in addition to learning about the running of Parichay, that I learned many life lessons. In spite of the living conditions of the children at Parichay, I learned from these young children the value of relationships - how to truly love unconditionally and what really matters in life. The children often commented that my thinking is good, and we often used to talk about ideas of unity.

I remember on my last day with Parichay, when I took the children to the Akshardham temple, Soni remarked that my feet were beautiful because they were 'gora' (fare skinned). I shared with the children that we are all humans, and that it is not the colour of skin that defines our beauty. Moni then commented that my thinking is very good. It is this mutual respect and reciprocal learning process that made this experience so unique. Despite great cultural differences we were all open to learning from each other - not simply lessons of education but life lessons. When I asked Millie from my English conversation class what she learned from me, she replied 'sincerity'.

There is much more for me to say about my Parichay family in India. My last day brought with it tears from all sides - myself, senior boys and girls. I can only write so much about my experience with Parichay, but words possess a certain limitation. I can only suggest to those reading whom have had no direct experience with Parichay to go and visit the project themselves - it will change their lives forever.

John

Yesterday was an informal day with the children, we spent time bonding, and reflecting on my experience, I said my goodbyes to my junior class, and also met Millie from my English conversation class. When I asked Millie what she learned from me, she replied 'sincerity'.

Today (01/08/12) was my final day with Parichay. As planned, I took the seniors to the Akshardham Temple. Amar and Kailash (both brothers) were not able to come as they had to complete their school admissions. Before setting off, the girls tied rakhis on my wrist and I said my goodbyes to Kailash and Amar, and handed them each letters which I had written for them. Kailash was in tears, and would not let go of my hand. After arriving back from Akshardham, I said my goodbyes to the children, along with more tears from Raju, at this point Amar had also joined us. I reminded Raju that I have videos of him dancing in my camera, and I will watch them to remind me of him. After I and Vijay set off in the car to leave, some few minutes later Vijay received a call from Raju asking us to stop the car and wait. Kailash then turned up running with an envelope for me, which I shall open my flight back to London.
Despite the formality of my writing style, my internship exceeded learning about the functioning of this fantastic NGO. I never expected that I would feel such an immense bond with the children at Parichay, and I have never experienced such unconditional love in such a short space of time. My experience at Parichay has changed a lot in my life, my thinking, my attitudes, and I have received the most precious gift that will stay with me until the grave - a second family. This experience has been life-changing and one I shall never forget. The thought of never seeing these children again is incomprehensible for me, and returning is a promise that will be fulfilled.

For this amazing experience I have to extend my heart-felt gratitude to Vijay Bajpai. Without him, the children at Parichay would not have developed in to such wonderful, intelligent, articulate, forward-thinking and loving children you could ever find in this world.
Then there are Geeta and Rupa whose hard work in the unit really helps keep the project in motion. Millie, Ambika and Preeti (along with Rupa) who attended my English discussion class. Khushboo, Sameer, Azhar, Pinki (Choti Shaitan/Little Satan), Rukhsar and all the children from my junior class. Rohit, Mansi, Akash and all the children in the special children's unit. And my seniors:-