With covid, the world paused and then ran online. Everyone was using Zoom and video calls and India was one of them. But during our Sunday video calls with my grandparents I could still see and hear those ladies coming and helping with laundry and cleaning houses!! It was during those days that I was able to solidify my inner feelings about helping those underprivileged women and girls and thought if I can help them with some education over video calls and zoom!
After presenting my feelings to my parents I found out that they would really benefit if I were to teach them English. India is a growing country and these underprivileged women can provide similar cleaning services at public malls, offices, government buildings, hospitals etc. with better communication skills, English communication skills. I was more than determined, I had made up my mind! Covid affected many of us in different ways but amongst all that sadness, I was feeling a bit empowered by the mere thought that I can actually help someone!
The process was, of course, not as easy as I thought. Many challenges were ahead, some I expected and some I had no idea about their existence! It all started by talking with the parents of the women who worked at my grandparent’s house. They suggested a couple more who were also involved in domestic help in the neighbourhood. I was lucky as I spoke Gujarati, the language broadly spoken in Gujarat, India from where these ladies come. It took a few months for me, along with assistance from my parents, just to convince their parents and husbands to let them come for an online class. A lot of these underprovided families have huge male dominance in decision making, something that I was not so aware of at the time. Finally, we convinced three of them, one teenage girl and 2 women. The next few weeks passed with me reaching out to the local Lions Club of Gandhinagar (Lions International). This is a charitable organization with a motto of becoming the link between the needy and those who can help. The current president of Lions Club of Gandhinagar District 323-B was onboard from the get and they supported me by providing a safe and secure place, electricity, computer, mike, speaker and internet for the women every Sunday. I felt like I almost won the battle at this point.
Today I teach English to about 25 plus underprivileged girls and women every Sunday over zoom in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. These women come from underprovided families from rural parts of India. I created a curriculum of my own and teach them using PowerPoint slides over zoom. I am also in the process of establishing another chapter in a couple of other cities in India. When I shared this with a few of my friends, I received positive interest. Now I have other high school students teach along with me. They donate their time to teach these girls. It is certainly a small step and while all big causes start small, I am happy to become that bridge that they utilize to learn a new language and improve their chances of standing stronger in their society. It is my long term goal to become an Architect and somehow establish permanent education facilities for such women where they can learn and grow.
Stronger women, stronger family, stronger society!
