Skit 7: Honesty

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 7: Honesty

(Students sitting around after school)

Narrator: The kids have been working hard on their semester exams and start to talk about how complicated school has become.

Krishnakanth: Gosh guys, I can’t remember the last time I got to play cricket with my friends.

Srikanth: Yeah man, I know what you mean. We’re always studying for these exams…

Abhiram: …And they only seem to be getting harder. Honestly, I don’t even think studying helps.

Neil: You’re totally right. I don’t think I’m going to study at all for our next exam. Who’s with me?

Krishnakanth, Srikanth, and Abhiram: I am!!

Krishnakanth: Come on guys, let’s go play cricket.

(Guys leave to go play cricket.)

(Amita and Vidhi walk out of the classroom.)

Vidhi: Amita, I don’t know what I’m going to do anymore. Last night I studied for six hours, and I feel like I didn’t know a single thing on that test.

Amita: Maybe we should study together. We might be able to get a lot more done and understand it a lot better.

Vidhi: Okay Amita, that’s a great idea.

(Amita and Vidhi head over to Amita’s house to study for their biology exam.)

(Scene changes to the biology classroom)

(the boys are frantic as they try to look at their notes)

Krishnakanth: Why did we play cricket instead of studying for our exam?

Abhiram: I’m not sure. I wish we had studied. I can’t even remember all the body systems.

Srikanth: Now what will we do? We will definitely fail now.

Neil: Oh my gosh, this is all my fault. I never should have convinced you guys to not study.

Krishnakanth: (leans in to the other boys and speaks in a furtive voice) I have an idea. You all must promise not to tell anyone.

Neil: We won’t tell anyone. Tell us your idea.

Abhiram: Please tell us. We don’t want to fail.

Krishnakanth: We can keep our notes with us and hide them. Then when we don’t know an answer, we can look at our notes and figure it out.

Abhiram: That’s a good idea. Let’s do it.

Narrator: The kids sit down to take their exam. The four boys keep their notes with them and use them all through the exam. All of a sudden, the teacher comes to Neil’s desk and notices some papers underneath his chair. The teacher bends down to pick up the papers and sees that they are the biology notes.

Teacher: NEIL, what is this??

Neil: (stammers and hesitates) uhh ma’am, see these are uhh

Teacher: Yes Neil, keep going. Are you cheating on the exam?

Neil: No.

Teacher: What are these notes doing here?

Neil: I didn’t put them there. I don’t know how they got there.

Teacher: (sees the other kids’ notes as well) Krishnakanth! Abhiram! Srikanth! Why do you have notes out as well.

(all four look scared and worried)

Srikanth: I’m sorry madam. I’m really sorry. We didn’t study for our exam so we decided to cheat by using our notes. Please don’t punish us. Please.

Teacher: Boys do you realize that this is a form of lying. You should have taken the time to learn the material like Amita and Vidhi did. If you hadn’t studied, you should have been honest with yourselves and me, and accepted that you would do poorly on the exam. If you had been honest with me, and told me that you hadn’t studied, I might have been able to postpone the exam. But, since you boys chose to lie, I must punish you. You will all receive a bad grade on your exam. I hope this teaches you all a lesson.

Abhiram: We’re very sorry madam. We understand what we did was wrong and we promise to never cheat again.

Narrator: The boys learned their lesson that day. They all learned that cheating is also a form of lying, and one should never lie or cheat to get ahead. They realized that the consequences of lying are greater than those of telling the truth. From that day on, the boys tried their best to be as honest as they could.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Educational Aid for Amudha and Meena

About a year ago, Sangam India sponsored the higher education of two students, Amudha and Meena. These sisters, residents of the former Ramavaram slum, have shown great potential and their parents are very supportive of their dreams and aspirations.

Unfortunately, due to the tragic fire at the Ramavaram slum, their family is going to be relocated to a new settlement; quite far from their school. Having finished half of their education, it would be difficult or impossible for them to continue their studies in their new residence.

Not wanting their education to falter, and with the support of their parents, we’re looking for ways to keep Amudha and Meena in Chennai, preferably near the Porur area, for them to continue their +2 education. Two of our members are researching hostels in the area that will suit them. We’ll help to take care of their needs, including with uniforms and a monthly stipend, while they are here. If you can provide us with any information about where we can accommodate them, please let us know.

Please check back for updates on this story. We aren’t sure how much it will cost, but we’ll find out and report here. If you’re interested in sponsoring these girls specifically, please let us know.

Left to Right: Nivedita (Sangam India,) Lakshmi (the girls' elder sister,)
Malar (Sangam India,) Amudha and Meena

Educational Programme, 13th June, 2009

Today’s educational programme, even with only a handful of children and just a few SI volunteers, turned out to be one of the most successful and rewarding days yet. Most of the children have not yet returned from trips to their native places for holidays, so it was an excellent opportunity to give the children one-on-one attention.

Today’s activity was a simple one, using picture books with moral stories, such as The Fox and the Grapes, The Dog and the Bone, and other similar stories. Pamela started by reading about five short stories to the children, after which we asked the children to tell us the stories using just the pictures.

All of the youngsters basked in the glow of our attention, praise, and affection. It was a truly heartwarming experience to see how happy they were just to have us spend time and give them our attention. After the main storytelling session, some of the children spent one-on-one time with us, reading to us, with some prompting and assistance. A couple of the children read in English, but with almost no comprehension of what they were reading. Although they started to lose attention after a little while, all of us truly felt a connection with the children today. We did not lose even a single child – all of them stayed from beginning to end. This was truly a success for us, a first-time event. The children ran after us as we left, asking us to promise to come back next week.

We are hoping to find good ways to incorporate the stories into a larger scheme of activities that will engage the children and harness their creativity. As always, please let us know if you have ideas on how to do this.

Another development is that several of the secondary school children have approached us for assistance with school fees. We will be paying them next week, after meeting with all of the children and their parents. Each child has to pay Rs. 525 (approx. $11) for the year. If you’re interested in sponsoring a child, please let us know in the next couple of days. We will provide an update as soon as we find out more details.


Click here to view the rest of the photos from today.

Skit 6: Right Action

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 6: Right Action

Narrator: Rahul, a shopkeeper in a local market, has a small candy stand. From this small business, Rahul makes just enough money to support his family. He is man of great character for he always tries to do the right thing.

One day in the market

Sathyam: Hey Rahul, can you give me 2 Cadbury chocolates please? They are for my son and daughter.

Rahul: Of course Sathyam. That will be 40 rupees.

Sathyam gives the money and takes the candy. Rahul waits patiently for his next customer.

Customer 2: Hello.

Rahul: Hello, sir. What may I interest you in today?

Customer 2: Umm. How about 3 Five-Stars?

Rahul: Of course. That is 55 rupees sir.

Customer 3: Hello. How are you today? I’m in a hurry!

Rahul: I am doing well, sir. Thank you for asking. What would you like? We sell an assortment of candy.

Customer 3: What is the most popular children amongst children? I want to take some candy home for my son. It is his birthday today, and I’m late for his party in the park.

Rahul: Well, most kids buy Cadbury chocolates.

Customer 3: Okay. I will have 2 Cadbury chocolates.

Rahul: Well, that will be 40 rupees.

Customer 3: Okay, Here’s the 40 rupees. Thank you friend.

(Customer 3 calls an auto and leaves in haste, and Rahul realizes that the man had given him 400 rupees instead of 40 rupees.)

Rahul: Oh my gosh! That gentleman gave me much more money than was needed. Gopal can you please watch the store while I go and give the money back to that man?

Rahul (to himself): I must go to the park and give back the extra money he gave me.

Narrator: Rahul walked for several miles before he was able to find the man.

Rahul: Where is that man? O there he is! Sir! Sir! I am the shop keeper whom you bought the candy from.

Customer 3: Oh, hello again. Is there a problem?

Rahul: Yes. You bought 2 bars of Cadbury chocolate.

Customer 3: Yes?

Rahul: Well, you gave 400 rupees; you owed me only 40 rupees. Here’s the rest of your change.

Customer 3: You walked all the way here just to give me back some money. Thank you so much! Can I give you some sort of reward?

Rahul: No! Of course not. I was just doing my duty.

Customer 3: Yes. How about this? I will come to your shop tomorrow and pick up some candy bars. Take the 400 rupees as a sort of advanced payment.

Rahul: Okay. But I have your word that you will come to pick up the candy right?

Customer 3: Yes of course. I will definitely come.

Narrator: Rahul never thought about taking the 400 rupees from that man. Instead, he dutifully returned the money in full and did not even desire a reward. He only took the money when the man gave him full assurance that he would pick up the candy the next day. In this way, Rahul stayed true to his morals.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Skit 5: Peace

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 5: Peace

Narrator: Arjun and Sita are brother and sister. They argue a lot and have a hard time resolving any dispute in a peaceful manner. Here they are in the midst of another argument.

Arjun: No, it’s my tennis racquet. Dad bought it for me on my birthday. I don’t want you to touching it.

Sita: I don’t see your name on it. Besides, I just want to hit a few balls.

Arjun: No!! You always want everything that I have. I am not going to let you play with my racquet. No way!

Gopal (Dad): Both of you, stop arguing. This is ridiculous behavior. Sita, you cannot play with everything that your brother has. And Arjun you must learn to share at least some of your belongings with Sita. She is your younger sister. You have to be more responsible and more mature. Now both of you go to your rooms!

Narrator: Sita goes to her room which she shares with her older sister Radha and talks to her about her fight with Arjun. Arjun, still feeling rebellious and angry, sneaks outside.

Sita: Can you believe Arjun, Radha? He would not even let me touch his tennis racquet. He’s so mean sometimes.

Radha: Sita, you know that it is not only his fault. Sometimes you bother Arjun when he is by himself. You want everything that he has. Sometimes you provoke him into these huge fights.

Sita: Yeah, I guess.

Radha: You have to learn to leave Arjun alone sometimes. I don’t think you like fighting with him all the time do you? He is your brother; both of you should be friends. Try to find some hobbies of your own. That way you won’t always ask to play with Arjun or with his things. So, what will you do next time you want to use something of Arjun’s?

Sita: I’ll ask politely, and if he says no, then I will not argue with him about it.

Radha: Good. That’s sounds much better.

Narrator: Meanwhile, Arjun is walking outside and he notices several different people fighting.

Boy 1: You always get the first sip of the soda!!

Boy 2: That’s cause I’m the older brother.

Boy 1: Give it to me; I want it!

Boy 2: No it’s mine.

(The boys pull of the bottle of soda and finally the bottle falls on the ground and it breaks leaving no soda of either)

Shop Customer: Useless fellow! I got two kg of eggplant but you charged me for 4 kg.

Shop Owner: It is not my fault sir; You told me that you got four kgs of eggplant.

Shop Customer: You think I am a liar? I know what I said.

Shop Owner: I know what you said too. Why would I lie!?!

Shop Customer: You wanted to cheat me; that’s why.

Arjun: Wow. I can’t believe people can argue about such petty things.

Narrator: Arjun was surprised by how violently the people had treated each other. He did not want to treat his sister like that.

(At Home)

Sita: Arjun, can I please play with your racquet, if you are not using it?

Arjun: Of course, Sita. Here, I will teach you some techniques that I learned.

Narrator: Arjun and Sita go off and play happily. From then on, they both tried to think of peaceful solutions to any disputes that they had.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Movie Clip: How to Be a Doctor

In this movie clip, Nivedita shows children how to use a stethoscope. From our April 11th, 2009 visit.



Lesson Planning: Our Objectives

Skit 4: Non-Violence

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 4: Non-Violence

Narrator: Karthik is a boy in his teens. He has just recently moved, and he is very excited by the prospect of going to a new school. However, his experience at the new school does not turn out as he had expected it to.

Karthik: Wow! This school is amazing. I think I’m going to have a fun time here.

(Karthik enters the classroom, and the teacher introduces him.)

Teacher: Everyone, this is a new student to our school. His name is Karthik. Say hi to him.

All Students: Hi, Karthik.

(Karthik takes his seat)

Narrator: Karthik sits right next to the class bully, Rajiv. Karthik minds his own business and tries to focus in class. However, Rajiv keeps disturbing him.

(Rajiv throws a small paper ball at Karthik)

Karthik: Please, stop throwing things at me.

Teacher: Karthik, pay attention. Don’t talk while I am teaching.

Karthik: Yes, Ms. Chandra. But Rajiv keeps disturbing me.

Teacher: Rajiv, leave Karthik alone.

Rajiv: Yes, Ms. Chandra.

Rajiv (whispers): You think that will help you?

(Rajiv throws another paper ball at Karthik. This continues until Karthik gets very angry and yells out.)

Karthik (In a loud voice): Stop throwing things at me!!

(All the students look at Karthik because they are surprised by the outburst.)

Teacher: Okay, Karthik that is it. Sit outside until you can remain in class calmly.

Karthik: But Ms. Chandra it is Rajiv’s fault. He was throwing things at me.

Teacher: Karthik, I saw only you misbehaving. Go outside now!

Narrator: Karthik sits outside for the rest of the class and goes through the rest of school in a dejected mood. He is disappointed by his experiences in the first day.

Sathya (Dad): Hello Karthik. How was the first day of school?

Karthik: Not good

Maya(Mom): Why? What happened?

Karthik: Someone in my class was bothering me, and I ended up getting kicked out of class.

Sathya: What did you do?

Karthik: Rajiv was the one bothering me, and I asked him to stop, politely. He kept on going, and then finally I screamed at him while the teacher was talking. The teacher kicked me out of the class because of that.

Maya: Rajiv, when someone is bothering you, you must never lash out at them. Stay calm and don’t get angry. I f someone bothers you, just ignore them.

Raja: Okay, mom. I will try that tomorrow morning.

Narrator: The next day, Karthik goes to school with what his mom said in mind.

Rajiv: So Karthik, did you have fun outside in the classroom yesterday?

(Karthik doesn’t reply)

Rajiv: Did you go and cry to your parents last night?

Teacher: Rajiv don’t talk while I’m talking!

Rajiv: Yes mam.

(Rajiv throws a ball of paper at Karthik just as the teacher turns around)

Teacher: Who threw that ball of paper? Rajiv, it was you wasn’t it? You have been bothering Karthik ever since he got here. Go outside. And tomorrow you will sit next to me.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Movie Clip: Teamwork

In this movie clip, Nazneen tells the kids about the importance of teamwork. From our April 11th, 2009 visit.



Lesson Planning: Our Objectives

Skit 3: Determination

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 3: Determination/Perseverance/Dedication

Narrator: A little girl named Saraswati lives in a poor neighborhood across the street from a very renowned doctor’s house. One day on his way to the market, he sees a doctor treating his patients.

Saraswati: (In the market, she observes the doctor for some time.) Wow! What great service this man is doing. His life’s work is to help other people. What higher calling can there be?

(She buys what he needs from the market and then goes home.)

Lakshmi: (Upon Saraswati’s arrival) Saraswati, what took you so long? Were you dawdling at the candy shop again?

Saraswati: No, mom. Today, I saw one of the most amazing things.

Lakshmi: (Confused) You saw an amazing thing in the market?

Saraswati: Yes! I saw a man performing service. But this was no ordinary service. His whole life is filled with service.

Shyam (Saraswati’s Dad just walks in): What are you talking about, Saraswati?

Saraswati: Dad, the man that I was talking about he is a doctor. He was taking care of his patients near the marketplace, and I couldn’t help but watch him. It was amazing. I want to be just like him. Do you think I can do it?

Shyam and Lakshmi: Of course you can do it. Bangaru, you can do whatever you put your mind to.

(Then, Saraswati runs to her room ecstatic with the hope of new opportunities.)

Narrator: The next day is Saraswati’s first day of school.

Ms. Gupta: Hello class. My name is Ms. Gupta. Please introduce yourself and tell us what you would like to be when you grow up.

Shekar: My name is Shekar. When I grow up, I guess I will be an engineer like my mom.

Chandu: My name is Chandu. I’m not sure what I want to be

Devi: My name is Devi. I’m not sure what I want to be either.

Saraswati: My name is Saraswati. I want to be a doctor, a great doctor who always cares for her patients with love.

Narrator: After school, Saraswati gets onto the same auto that she always rides in. Saraswati has known this auto driver, Raj, almost all her life because they’re from the same neighborhood.

Raj: So Saraswati what did you do in school today?

Saraswati: We introduced ourselves to the class and the teacher and told everyone what we want to be when we grow up.

Raj: So what do you want to be when you grow up?

Saraswati: I want to be the most caring and compassionate doctor in the world.

Raj: Hahaha. You want to be a doctor?

Saraswati: Of course

Raj: You must work very hard for a long time. Even top students have a tough time in medical school.

Saraswati: But I know that I can do it.

Raj: Whatever you say, Saraswati. We are at your house.

Narrator: Later Saraswati is lying in her bed, thinking about whether she can really become a doctor. The next morning before going to school she voices her concerns to her parents.

Saraswati: Mom, Dad, do you both really think that I can become a doctor?

Lakshmi: Of course you can. You can do anything you set your mind to. Who said you can’t do it?

Saraswati: Raj, the man whose auto I ride in, laughed at me when I told him that I wanted to become a doctor. He said that I have no chance of succeeding.

Lakshmi: Saraswati, you must understand. There will always be people who will tell you that you cannot do something. You must not listen to them. As long as you believe in yourself and are determined to achieve your goal, nothing can stop you. Also Saraswati, know that both your Dad and I believe in you completely. We know that you will achieve great things.

Shyam: Your Mom is absolutely right. As long as you work hard and persevere, you will definitely achieve your goals. Do you understand, Saraswati?

Saraswati: Yes, I think so.

Narrator: Saraswati learned that determination and perseverance can help anyone achieve any goal no matter the obstacle.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Movie Clip: Teachers

In this movie clip from our April 18, 2009 visit, Yogesh tells the kids what teachers do and the kids get a chance to write on the whiteboard.



Lesson Planning: Our Objectives

Skit 2: Humility

Part of a series about skits produced for the Ramavaram children.

Skit 2: Humility

Narrator: Vishnu was a smart boy of 11 years. He did very well in school and became very proud and arrogant of his intelligence. Let us see what happens as a result of this.

Teacher: Okay students. I will now give you some practice problems which you must finish before class ends. If you do not finish, you will receive a bad grade. If you finish early, you may help your classmates.

Narrator: The teacher had given very hard problems, and very few students were able to finish early. All of those who finished early tried to help their classmates. All except Vishnu. Several of his friends asked him for help, but he just made fun of them. Meanwhile, his best friend Keshav is struggling, and he decides to ask Vishnu for help.

Keshav: Hey, Vishnu can you help me on this problem? I do not understand it.

Vishnu: Hahaha. That is the easiest problem Keshav. If you cannot do that one, then I cannot help you. Haha.

Narrator: After saying this, Vishnu goes to sleep even though he knows that many of his friends need help finishing the problems. All of his friends are angry with him for his attitude and try to finish the problems on their own. Later after school, Vishnu catches up with his friends.

Vishnu: Hey guys! Wait up for me. (His friends look back at him and keep walking.) Why didn’t you wait up for me, guys? (None of his friends answer him, and they all keep walking.) Hello?? Are you all not talking to me now?

Vivek: What do you expect Vishnu? All you did today was make fun of us.

Sandeep: All we wanted was your help.

All the other friends: Yeah

Vishnu: That’s not true. That’s not true, is it Keshav?

Keshav: Yes, that is absolutely true Vishnu. You were completely arrogant and selfish today. All we wanted was your help. And how did you respond? You made fun of each one of us. Now you expect us to be your friends? No, Vishnu. Not until you change your attitude. I hope you learn your lesson.

(All of his friends leave, and Vishnu is left alone.)

Narrator: After this, Vishnu goes to ask his parents.

(Vishnu enters his house)

Shiva (Vishnu’s Dad): Hello Vishnu. Did you do well in school today?

Vishnu: Yes.

Uma (Vishnu’s Mom): That’s great!!

Shiva: You are saying that you did well, but you look upset. Did something happen?

Vishnu: Since I understood the lesson, my friends came to me for help. However, instead of helping them, I made fun of them for not understanding.

Shiva: It sounds like you thought that you were too good for your friends.

Uma: What your dad is talking about is humility. You must never be arrogant or too proud of your deeds. You must never brag about your abilities. How do you think your friends felt when you made fun of them? You do not like to be made fun of do you? Why then would you make fun of your friends, Vishnu? That is very wrong. Do you understand?

Vishnu: I understand. I’m very sorry.

Uma: We are not the ones that you insulted, Vishnu. You must go apologize with sincerity to your friends.

Vishnu: Do you think they will forgive me? Will they talk to me again?

Shiva: Well Vishnu, that is up to them. What you did was very wrong. Tomorrow, go to your friends and apologize to them. Hopefully, they will forgive you.

Uma: But that is only the first step. Next time they ask for help, give it willingly. You must always help others, Vishnu.

Vishnu: Okay. Thanks, Mom and Dad

Narrator: The next day at school Vishnu sees his friends before school on the cricket field. Vishnu decides to follows his parents’ advice.

Vishnu: Hello guys. (No one responds.) I know what I did yesterday was not correct. I am sincerely sorry for my actions.

Keshav: We will only be your friend on one condition. You must promise to be humble, and you must not treat those who know less than you badly.

Vishnu: Yes, I promise to be humble in the future.

Keshav: Okay, then let us put this behind us and play some cricket before school starts.

Everyone: Yeah!!

Copyright © 2008-2009 Sangam India. All rights reserved

http://www.sangamindia.org

Download the Skit

Written by: Krishnakanth Chiravuri, Srikanth Chiravuri, Vidhi Makanji, Neil Mithal, and Abhiram Gunturi.

Movie Clip: Staying Healthy

In this movie clip, Vandhana and Nazneen tell the kids how they should healthy so they don't fall sick. After this, one of the kids from the slum tells the rest of the group what to do again. From our April 11th, 2009 visit.



Lesson Planning: Our Objectives

Movie Clip: Using a Stethoscope

In this movie clip from our April 11th, 2009 visit, Dr. Thinesh tells the kids how to use a stethoscope.



Lesson Planning: Our Objectives

Perspective: Making a Difference

ARTICLE BY SRIRAM RAMGOPAL

We have been going to the Ramavaram slum for over a year now, and our goals and objectives for the community are maturing in many ways as we learn more about the people there as well as about ourselves. The educational programme that we started from March of this year has been working well, but perhaps not in the ways that we expected it to. We worked hard to elucidate the goals of what our program were going to be; and we decided on a number of objectives. These were based on the information that we had about the children from numerous visits, from their parents, and from a visit to their school that some of our members made earlier this year. As Bhavya described, these were health education, teamwork and trust, values, etiquette, citizenship and creativity. These goals were selected because we thought they would help these children become responsible, hardworking adults, who had careers and a bright future ahead of them.

It remains too early to know whether or not we achieved our objectives. We have tried hard to develop and carry out activities teaching these values, but whether or not they learn something from it is not so clear. It is difficult to change the way people are. It’s hard to make people, especially a group of children, realize the importance of things like handwashing and hygiene when their parents and surroundings tell them otherwise. Likewise, it’s hard to convince children that with hard work and with a positive mindset that they can indeed be doctors, cricket players and policemen, when everyone and everything around them seems to contradict that notion. The effects of health education, etiquette, citizenship and creativity are hard to impart to a group of children who have been taught that such things are meaningless. Thus, though we have tried very hard and will continue to do so, we may or may not reach our objectives. Nonetheless, we will do our best to reach them because we strongly feel that these things have value and are important.

However, I have realized over the last several visits to Ramavaram, that we are making a difference here, though in an unexpected way. Though we may or may not be successful in reaching arbitrarily stated objectives, something is changing, though slowly and subtly, in this group of children. Every time we go to the slum, the children rush out and are excited to see us. They are excited when we sit them down in groups, and though they quickly grow tired of being lectured, they are immensely excited by the prospect that young adults, coming from entirely different walks of life, take time, every week, to go and see them.

For a group of children who receive little attention from their parents, the adults in the community, or from their teachers, the fact that we come there for the sole purpose of spending time with them carries great meaning for them. We sit down with them in small groups, and they take great pleasure in sitting next to us. Many of our members speak little or no Tamil but despite this, the children love to talk to us about everything they can possibly think of. They love the thrill of communicating with somebody who cares about them. Some of our members are especially successful at talking to the kids there and finding out what their problems are, and by listening to their problems with a sympathetic ear, we can connect with these kids on an emotional level and produce more positive change than we could by merely following orders on a checklist.

On Saturday evenings, as we come home from another day at Ramavaram, we wonder whether or not we were able to teach anything to the kids, and whether anything will change there as a result of it. No doubt that progress comes slowly and it is too early to expect dramatic changes. No doubt that the things we are teaching the children there will slowly but surely change their behavior, as long as we are consistent and clear with them. Of course, we will continue to refine our lessons and our plans in the community as we gain more and more experience with the people and from other organizations. I strongly believe that we can make a difference here and break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for at least a few families here at the Ramavaram slum. However, after spending time with these kids and showing them that we care about them, I’ve come to realize that there is more than one way to define success. By sharing happiness, compassion and goodwill in these children, I believe we can give them something more meaningful but less measurable: hope. And for this reason we will keep trying to make a difference here despite the odds we face.