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MAD Phase of my Life

Hi, my journey with MAD started about 8 months ago with tons of excitement and a pinch of nervousness. I was excited because this was the first time I was given the opportunity to do something that I always wanted to do in the last 10 years!!! I was nervous because I had to do my best in this journey and it was not about my teaching but it was about the kids' learning. I realized that I had to teach just 5 boys and I even had a co-teacher. The question that immediately popped into my mind – Isn’t a single teacher sufficient to teach 5 kids? But the kids proved me wrong right on my 1st day as they were most notorious kids I had ever come across!!!

I am highly elated that I got to teach the 5 gems of YMCA – PRATHMESH, SHUBHAM, ADESH, ROHIT and RITESH – who were mischievous and at the same time competitive against each other. Throughout the year I strived to bring out the best in these kids but I realized that they actually brought out the best in me. The agony of waking up at 7 AM every Sunday morning and traveling for about 1.5 hrs from Chembur to Andheri transforms into immense exhilaration as soon as I meet the 5 adorable kids. They have encouraged me unknowingly throughout the year to make every SUNDAY the best DAY of the whole week!!! Each one of the kids has varied strengths and weaknesses and hence it was a challenge for us to mould them in a standard manner but worth the efforts, especially when you get to hear "The kids have improved a lot in the the last 1 year."

Prathmesh – the CREATIVE & the SLEEPING BEAUTY
Rohit – the BRIGHTEST & the RESTLESS
Ritesh – the METICULOUS & the DISTRACTED
Shubham – the ATTENTIVE & the PROMPTER
Adesh – the COMPETITIVE & the HASTY

Ofcourse, I wouldn’t have been able to impart knowledge into these kids without the immense support of my co-teacher – JANVI – who was always there to mentor me. She has an amazing style of coaching and assisting them to overcome their obstacles in an effortless manner by simplifying the intricate contents.

My experience of interaction with 15 bright volunteers was euphoric. The enthusiasm with which they come for their classes and the brilliant ideas that they share have always motivated me to perform better in every class. The Centre head Adit and our Mentor Gurtej were always there to motivate each of us.

MAD was not just about teaching. It was much beyond that. Would never forget the Joey’s lunch sessions, interaction with volunteers from other centers, crazy whatsapp messages, adventurous trekking experience, getting encouraged for marathon by volunteers, city centre discussions, pitching about MAD at IIT Bombay, joy of wearing MAD T-shirt, amazing photographs getting clicked, night out with my fellow friends, Republic Day performances of our kids, etc. YES !!! It was not just about teaching. It was also about tons of FUN, FUN & FUN !!!

In this journey with MAD, I never realized when the kids whom I taught became “my kids”. Never realized when the volunteers became “my friends” and never realized that the last 8 months of my life actually became the “MAD phase of life”.

And this valuable journey continues ...


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