Summer Internship with Make a Difference — Ritesh from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences
Wildcard Entry for: – 14th August 2012
Name of the intern: – Ritesh
Institute: – Rajagiri College of Social Sciences
Organization interned with: – Making a Difference (MAD)
I want to share my internship experience as a volunteer English teacher in an NGO named Make A Difference. Make A Difference is a platform that empowers youth to become change leaders who make positive social impact and create self-sustaining communities. On one hand, we work with Children at Risk in orphanages and street shelters, while at the same time, developing leadership talent among youth in India. Currently, India’s fastest growing youth teacher network!
I had joined in August 2011 as an English tutor. My job was to teach Basic English to the kids in a center named Darul Uloom in Cochin. During the first few days, it was really tough because I couldn’t handle the kids that well. But then I spent time with my fellow volunteers and the other people in MAD for help. They were very supporting and I really started to improve my teaching abilities.
The most memorable day in my MAD life was on the Christmas of 2011. We had to take a 2 hour class and then have the celebrations. I was not well that day as I was suffering from fever and headache. But still I somehow managed to reach there and started my class. I told the kids to be good because I had fever so couldn’t shout and all. Suddenly a kid named Afroos just ran out of the class without asking me. I got so angry that I decided not to let him in when he came back. After some time, I saw this kid coming with a jug of water and a glass for me! I was so shocked. He cared for me so much. I didn’t know that I meant that much to him. It was really an emotional moment for me. While I was hugging him, another kid named Aslam came to me. He gave me a small bouquet of plastic flowers which he made himself and said, “You are the best teacher I have ever had.” I really didn’t know what to say at that moment. I just hugged all the kids so tight. That was the moment when I realized that, yes… I am making a difference!
That one academic year helped me change a lot. I developed my leadership, communication and teamwork skills. And it also made me feel like I was doing something meaningful in my life. I had a plan to just stick on for a year. But even with my busy MCA studies, I decided to stay with MAD. I never want to quit. So that was my super-awesome MAD internship story!
Was this interesting? If yes, please like the post on Facebook (below) and help Ritesh become winner of the week and win the prize (Rs. 1,000/-) that he truly deserves!
