Every great dream arises from the force of a single, profound thought. My thought took root at age eight when I, for the first time, witnessed a child begging: Why?
Ten years later, I finally set foot in Siruvani, India. From my initial thought there had flowered a grand quest to understand and assist the children of this world, who for some reason, could not live as I did. I was to teach the children of rural India, and in return I could attempt to comprehend.
But how could I? With my privileged life of iPhones and shopping sprees, how could I even comprehend the implications of tattered uniforms and calloused feet; of books blackened by government censorship? How would I ever understand a life of hardship; a life of shattered dreams; the only life they had ever known?
I couldn't. But I could reveal to them the only life I had ever known. Every day we munched on various confectionaries, ranging from Choco-Rockos to jalebis, and played hangman until our stomachs ached from a dangerous overload of sugar and laughter.
I had unknowingly found the quickest path to their little hearts.
The children soon realized that I left behind my developed nation oasis-that I chose to venture into the humid contours of Siruvani. They saw I only wished to help.
They spoke to me.
They spoke of dreams.
Ten year old Karate superstar, Kowsik, wishes to become a police officer that "arrests rowdies"-just like they do in the movies. And little Soumya aspires of becoming a doctor who "cures for free". Brainiac Nivedha wants to "spread good values" through teaching, and class-clown Shyam just yearns to "drive".
Each student of mine yearned of leaving a unique stamp on this world-of changing it for the better. In a way, we were one in the same. And in many more ways, they were so much greater. But, for one morally insignificant reason, they were less. Resources.
Kowsik could never afford police academy and Soumya can barely meet Om Shakti's tuition. Pradeepan can't even pay for his own uniform.
They all have dreams. They all have boundless potential. But our world is failing them.
Our world is failing to look past petty political rivalries and take notice of these children. Our world is failing, with alarming regularity, to facilitate dreams.
Our world is failing the future.
Every child dreams of reaching the stars. Before Siruvani, I dreamed of understanding why not all attained them. Now, I dream of creating an environment where all children are rendered capable of grabbing those shimmering stars too.
Any and all criticism/advice is appreciated! I'm doubling this for my Georgetown EA app as well o.O
Ten years later, I finally set foot in Siruvani, India. From my initial thought there had flowered a grand quest to understand and assist the children of this world, who for some reason, could not live as I did. I was to teach the children of rural India, and in return I could attempt to comprehend.
But how could I? With my privileged life of iPhones and shopping sprees, how could I even comprehend the implications of tattered uniforms and calloused feet; of books blackened by government censorship? How would I ever understand a life of hardship; a life of shattered dreams; the only life they had ever known?
I couldn't. But I could reveal to them the only life I had ever known. Every day we munched on various confectionaries, ranging from Choco-Rockos to jalebis, and played hangman until our stomachs ached from a dangerous overload of sugar and laughter.
I had unknowingly found the quickest path to their little hearts.
The children soon realized that I left behind my developed nation oasis-that I chose to venture into the humid contours of Siruvani. They saw I only wished to help.
They spoke to me.
They spoke of dreams.
Ten year old Karate superstar, Kowsik, wishes to become a police officer that "arrests rowdies"-just like they do in the movies. And little Soumya aspires of becoming a doctor who "cures for free". Brainiac Nivedha wants to "spread good values" through teaching, and class-clown Shyam just yearns to "drive".
Each student of mine yearned of leaving a unique stamp on this world-of changing it for the better. In a way, we were one in the same. And in many more ways, they were so much greater. But, for one morally insignificant reason, they were less. Resources.
Kowsik could never afford police academy and Soumya can barely meet Om Shakti's tuition. Pradeepan can't even pay for his own uniform.
They all have dreams. They all have boundless potential. But our world is failing them.
Our world is failing to look past petty political rivalries and take notice of these children. Our world is failing, with alarming regularity, to facilitate dreams.
Our world is failing the future.
Every child dreams of reaching the stars. Before Siruvani, I dreamed of understanding why not all attained them. Now, I dream of creating an environment where all children are rendered capable of grabbing those shimmering stars too.
Any and all criticism/advice is appreciated! I'm doubling this for my Georgetown EA app as well o.O