Youths on ‘mission education’ for slum children
ALLAHABAD : The dream of many Sangam city slum kids to get education was realised when a group of local youths decided to teach them in their spare time four years ago – albeit on the roadside as they had no funds to arrange a classroom.
Today eight-year-old Raju can spell his name both in English and Hindi, while 12-year-old Kareena has learnt the fundamentals of maths and can solve simple sums with ease. She also knows the tables till 10. Parents of these kids struggle to make a living through odd jobs of selling fruits, making and selling small cane utility items and idols near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park.
This educators’ group was founded by five youths in 2014. Today, the group has 15 volunteers who also contribute their bit. The roadside class has around 40 such underprivileged children in 4 to 14 years age group with many now even going to nearby schools.
“I have been attending these classes for the past two years. Now, I have enrolled in class 7 at Kanya Vidyapeeth in Katra. Ear- lier, with nobody to guide and help me, I was lagging in studies and often skipped school. I have become a regular student now,” shared Kareena.
She also said ‘bhaiyas’ (the youths) also helped in providing her books, pens and even in paying her fee. Naini resident Man- ish Singh, one of the founding members of the group who is also an assistant professor at Shanbhunath Institute of Engineering and Technology, said the initiative was started when he moved to Allahabad for a job.
“I used to teach poor kids while pursuing my B Tech in Meerut. So after moving to Allahabad, I started teaching slum kids in the evening. After initial reluctance of some parents, I convinced them. Soon my friends and my sister Jyoti also joined me and we formed a small group teaching 60 odd kids at Naini,” Manish added.
In the same year, in 2014, the group formally formed Society of Technical Education Empowerment (STEE) to better organise their activities and move their teaching work near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park where many such slum kids reside.
He said the experience of teaching the kids was inexplicable. “Today besides holding two hours teaching sessions in three groups from 4pm to 6pm by dividing the kids as per their age and abilities, we also celebrate special occasions like festivals with them,” he added.
Amit Sharma, a resident Tagore Town, joined the group as a volunteer five months back.
“I am a BA-I student at Allahabad University. I spotted these slum kids being taught on the roadside. Greatly moved, I too joined the mission and it has been an enriching experience. Today I devote two hours each day in the evening to teach 30 odd kids on an average. However, their numbers vary and often their parents shift locations within the city depending on their trade,” he added.
These youths are taking forward their mission on their own.