"We are learning stories, maths, addings and taking aways. We are also doing drawing and getting stars. Didi says if we do all this we will become big children fast." – Kajal

‘I do English, Math, read and write
At Akanksha, my guiding light.’

 

Team:
Teachers: Deba Didi, Geetanjali Didi
Education Co-ordinator: Priyanka Didi
Trainee Teacher: Renu Didi
Volunteers: Ruchira Didi, Lata Didi, Smita Didi, and Uma Didi
Social Worker: Sumeet Bhaiya
Helper: Krishna Didi
Sponsor: Citigroup


Our goals are:

- Speak in English
- Effective teaching
- Self esteem and values

‘We learn English. We learn months, days of the week, stories, We learn math, numbers, names, plus, minus. We learn values’ – Nazneen,6

"I like Akanksha because we speak English. I have friends in Akanksha. Deba Didi do jumble sentence. Veeral Didi makes us speak English and Renu Didi do numbers." – Aasifa,7

"I go to Akanksha for reading, studying and drawing. I like when Didi comes to my house." – Shahbaz,6

"Didi tells me to grow up fast and become something big and I want to do that." – Vaishali, 6

The Guiding Light by Uma Didi

When I was a just little kid,
One day my mother put me in a bus
And away she sent me to an unknown place
It made me so lonely and sad
When you asked her the reason for
Sending me away from her for 2 hours, this is what she said to me:

Akanksha is the torch
I want you to be the flame
I want you to light up our lane
Where there is darkness and pain.

When I came to the center daily
I felt a sense of freedom and pride
I could read English, I could write English
I could do all my Maths

Akanksha is the torch
I am a flickering flame
But I too can light up our lane
And free all from darkness and pain.

I love my Didis and Bhaiyas
Because I know they care for me
I will be good, I will be strong
I’ll not flicker with the wind.

Akanksha is the torch
I am a flame in March
From darkness to the light
We’ll not give up this fight.

I love my center and my friends
I love the anger that Didi pretends
I love my language, I love my maths
I love all the games and songs

Akanksha is the call
For me to grow up to be
A guiding light to all
For the world to follow me

Our Favorite Thinking Question
What dream do you wish comes true?
Kajal’s answer: ‘I dream that my papa buys me a cycle and he teaches me to ride it everyday on Worli Seaface. Then I come first in the race on Sports day.’


Programs and Special Events:

  1. We are in Art Class.
  2. We were selected for Open Day where lots of people came in to see how we study.
  3. We celebrated Diwali at a party at Children’s Nook where we made diyas and lanterns.
  4. We visited an old age home during Christmas where we gave cards to our elders and sang songs.
  5. We had a special Musical Morning – where a professional musician visited our center.








Asifa Kamruddin, 9

 

Asifa Kamruddin, 9, goes to the Jijamata Municipal School and is in the 2nd standard. She is in Level 2 of the Worli 2 centre and has been in Akanksha for 3 years.

Didi says that Asifa is a happy girl who is reserved and quiet. It is a pleasure to teach her because she is so bright and ready to absorb anything. She never hits other children or used bad words. She needs to be coaxed to participate, as she is shy.

Asifa lives in Mariamma Nagar with her parents and 7 siblings, one of whom is a special child.
Asifa’s mother says ‘I have two children in Akanksha. I want my other 5 children to also join Akanksha. I want them to be like the Didis.”

Asifa’s favorite time was a trip to the zoo. ‘I loved it when we went to the Ranibaug zoo. I saw a lion and a snake. The snake frightened me and I screamed loudly!’

Her proudest moment was when “I swept the house, cut vegetables and looked after my little sister, all together. My mother was so happy with me.’
Kajal Kasab, 8


Kajal Kasab, 8, goes to the Worli Naka Municipal School and is in the 3rd standard. She is in Level 2 of the Worli 2 centre and has been in Akanksha for 2 years.

Kajal lives in Madraswadi with her parents and 2 siblings. Her younger sister is in the same center. Her father is a taxi driver.

Didi says that Kajal is bright and sharp, very responsible, and can take charge of a group of children. She is extremely good at art. She is respectful and loves to make cards for others. She loves to have a good time.

Kajal’s proudest moment is ‘When Didi gives me work and I do it well and Didi says ‘good Kajal’, then I run home and tell my mother that Didi loves me a lot.’