An interview with Aakash

For anyone wondering where Residential Program big brother Aakash has been recently (since there hasn't been much mention of him in the blog and he hasn't been in too many photos), we figured a little update was in order. Aakash, who turns 21 (!!) next month, has been working and living with extended family in the area since last year, after having initially transitioned from the Residential Program to shared accommodations for working/studying young men. He comes over to spend time with the rest of the kids when he gets a break from work, and last week we took the opportunity to catch up with him about his plans, goals and life of late.

Aakash! Tell us what you've been up to over the course of the last year. Everybody is dying to know. 
I have been working at Sancheti Hospital every day. I work three different shifts every week.

What do you do there?
I'm a phone operator and a receptionist. I pick up calls - internal, external and international - and transfer the calls to wherever it should be. When I work the night shift I study for my exams, science and maths mostly. And I never get on the internet because it distracts me. So for the last 1 1/2 years I haven't used the internet.

No way. 
Seriously!

What do you miss the most about the AIC house?
I miss the kids - my brothers and sisters - and the didis and dadas and spending time with them. It's really difficult to stay away from these guys!

Do you miss daily chores?
...uhhhh...

Kidding, kidding. But in all seriousness, what do you do around the house these days?
I mostly help with the cooking and sweeping. I take care of things when nobody is around. Lots of women stare at me like [*mouth gaping open*] "Huh?! Why is that GUY doing housework?" It's sort of embarrassing, but I'm like, well, I've been doing it since I came here (to AIC) and I like helping out. 

What do you want for your future?
A good job, a good attitude. When I get married someday I always want to be handy to my wife and kids.

And what sorts of goals are you working on right now?
Goals? So many goals. To have a better future. To be independent. To have my own house. I've been saving to buy my own house for 10 months now. To be more practical. I want to help my relatives out too with some things like furniture and maybe a house. I want to finish school and get into college. And then I want to do something, to really do something.

What advice do you have for your AIC brothers and sisters?
Study more. Be a good citizen. Help others in need. Be happy, always. Never be rude to anyone. And the most important one! Don't give didis and dadas any trouble! 

Ha, thanks Aakash. The kids are lucky to have someone like you looking out for them!

Love, War and Holi.

Although it has been hot here for months, we ended March with a bang, a puff of color, and a bucket of water to celebrate the start of spring. Holi at AIC was, as always, a vibrant and rambunctious affair, although it was a little light on kids and heavy on didis/dadas this year. At the residential house, Ramu, Sonali, and Sangeeta Maushi played on the terrace with MK Didi, Judith Didi (visiting from Austria), and four of Judith’s friends. Between her deadly aim with a bucket and her complete lack of mercy with the pigments, Sonali held her own despite being outnumbered. More than one didi, including this one, was spitting rainbows from her teeth for the remainder of the day — but don’t feel too sorry, because Sonali was repaid in kind. Ramu enthusiastically deployed the water guns, but he proved a little more fastidious than expected about the color. While he loved throwing it at other people, he didn’t quite buy the idea of turnabout as fair play. He still ended the day sporting several different shades than when he started it, however. To repurpose an old saying, all’s fair in love, war, and Holi — or does Holi fall under war? (According to Sonali, it most definitely does.)

The Education Outreach Centre had two days off to mark the holiday, but it was a colorful week nonetheless. Pigments found their way to the centre and onto faces with no regard for exact dates, work to be done, or teacher prohibitions. The day after the festival, many of our kids (with the help of the unsung heroines, the maushis) were scrubbing for hours to remove dyes from their faces, hair, and bodies. And finally, the maushis themselves bombarded each other with a stubbornly persistent magenta color that stained their palms pink for days. All in all, it was a fittingly rowdy and bright start to the spring season, perfectly suited to our occasionally rowdy and always bright children.

Nuggets of Wisdom with Ramu™

Nuggets of Wisdom with Ramu™

Ramu: Didi, I know everything.

MK Didi: Oh really? No one knows everything, not me, not Sonali, not maushi and not you.

Ramu: Only me. Just I know all the things.

Can’t wait until he’s a teenager and really DOES know everything!

Au revoir, Claudia!

It hasn’t all been fun and games here in Pune. At the beginning of January, we said a very sad goodbye to Claudia didi. Claudia started her AIC journey in 2010 as a residential program volunteer, then returned last year as director of the Education Outreach Centre. During her tenure, she instituted a teacher training program, kept careful track of student attendance and grades, and raised accountability and standards across the board. She became a fixture in and around Yerwada; I know from personal experience that it was impossible to walk with her through the market without having to stop at least three times to say hi to various people. At the schools, at students’ homes, and of course, at the Centre, Claudia constantly pushed for the best for our kids. On top of everything else, Claudia held all of our programs together during a time of great transition. Her wisdom and resourcefulness were instrumental in the smooth operation of AIC, and her loving support sustained the residential kids as they entered boarding school in the fall. Although we miss her dearly, we know she will be successful at whatever she does. Good luck, didi, and keep in touch!

Republic Day Celebrations at the Outreach Centre

At the Education Outreach Centre, Republic Day celebrations spanned two days. On Friday, students in the upper grades participated in essay and drawing competitions. They had the choice of several themes, including “unity” and “modern India,” and they produced some gorgeously detailed work. While the older children scribbled studiously in the classrooms below, the terrace echoed with laughter and shouts of the younger kids, who were having a field day, well, having a field day. Between the three-legged races, tug-of-war, and relays, all the children had a great time, and even Manisha teacher got to show off her enviable jump rope skills.

On Saturday, Republic Day proper, the program began with the ceremonial raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem around a brand-new flagpole, which was decorated with an intricately patterned Rangoli in the national colors. Our honored guests included Mrs. Anita Kamath, Mr. Jeevraj, and Dr. and Mrs. Kulkarni (parents of Manali didi). The children welcomed the guests with flower garlands, and then several different groups presented songs and dances. In keeping with the patriotic theme of the day, the student performances incorporated pictures of significant historical figures and an enormous Indian flag. The guests then delivered speeches and told stories – Mr. Jeevraj had the students in stitches with a motivational tale of a one-handed boxer, and Mrs. Kamath spoke to the importance of trying hard despite your circumstances. Finally, the day ended with a feast of laddus and sweets. All in all, it was a fitting tribute to Mother India from her future batch of leaders.

Republic Day Celebration - Residential Program

On January 26, India celebrated its 63rd annual Republic Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Indian Constitution taking effect. Schools around the country put on special patriotic programs for students and teachers to show off the best of Indian arts, sports, history, and culture to parents and honored guests. Here at AIC, both the Residential and the Educational Outreach Centre children celebrated with spectacular productions. Bedecked in the national colors of orange, white, and green, our kids raised flags, performed patriotic songs and dances, demonstrated athletic skills, listened to featured speakers, and enjoyed sweets and laddus. Needless to say, a fantastic time was had by all, from the parents and guests in the audience to the student and teacher performers.

The Residential children’s program took place at their boarding school on Jan. 23. All of the kids participated in some fashion, whether it was helping to set up (Santosh), marching in military formations (Geeta, Pooja, Jyoti, Kajal, Tushar, and Sanjay), performing complex gymnastic moves called malakhamb (Rahul), or dancing beautifully choreographed routines (Ashwini, Poonam, Jyoti, and Pooja). Although medical issues kept her on the sidelines this year, Sonali was on hand to cheer for all her sisters, brothers, and friends, and Ramu, Sangeeta maushi, Idania didi, and I (MK didi) also came to support our kids and enjoy the show. The program was an exuberant mix of student performances and patriotic displays, from horseback riding to martial arts to students dressed as important historical figures. In combination with the many, many flags, and once again, orange, green, and white everywhere, the show created quite a spectacle. The residential kids have taken full advantage of the many extracurricular opportunities at their school, and it was a treat to see all their hard work in action.

AIC's Holiday Party

Written by Mary Kay Hazel

Photos by Manali Kulkarni

Happy 2013 from AIC!

It has been quite an eventful time. Santa visited the Education Outreach Centre and the Residential House, much to the kids’ delight, and we celebrated Christmas, India-style, at the Centre. We took students on outings to video arcades and malls, welcomed guests from abroad, and celebrated the wedding of one of our teachers. New staff members settled in, and we bid a bittersweet farewell to Claudia didi. The residential children came home for a few crazy days over New Year’s, turned the house upside down, and went back to school. And, of course, students continued to study, teachers continued to teach, and maushis continued to hold it all together.

Phew. First things first.

The Education Outreach Centre Holiday party was every bit as lively and enjoyable as last year’s, though it was on a smaller scale than in years past. Many different students danced choreographed routines to festively loud music, and the teachers even joined in the fun with a performance of their own. It was lovely to celebrate right on our own roof: the terrace was transformed by the efforts of magical elves (a.k.a. the expats), and everyone dressed up in their best holiday finery. And finally, no holiday party is complete without a Santa, and ours came with the added bonus of a Scottish accent. The children could barely contain their glee when he arrived to distribute gifts and sweets. The candy is long gone by now, but the toys make frequent appearances during breaks and playtime, and the memories will last forever.

All our gratitude to the Duncan family, Melanie Armer, Rose Smith, Ian Smith, Denise and Chad Harshberger and sons, Sue Dunne, the Expat Wives of Pune and drivers/lighting guys Nandu and Sabir, for planning and sharing in such a wonderful celebration for students, staff, and friends. We also extend our love and thanks to you, our international friends and allies. In a year full of transitions, we were continually sustained and strengthened by our family around the world. With your support, we are confident 2013 will be our best year yet.