Today I went to Maitree, the NGO at their RKPuram, Sector XIII, New Delhi office & it was an experience that I wish to share with you. (I mistook the dates to meet the people at Maitree as 22-24 Aug instead of 20-22 Aug. If not for to 'Kewldebs' I wouldn't have checked the SMS again. Thanx Debs!) There is a query, a quandry that I need help resolving. Will look forward to your comments & suggestions. Here goes:
Today, after trying out the perspective exercises in my art class, I sauntered out to my car. It was surprisingly quite pleasant & sunny at the same time. There was a consistent comforting breeze. I sat down, turned the ignition, checked in the mirror, (don't know if I really saw myself or was it simply a nervous gesture) & swung the vehicle into the fast lane. It took me 10 mts to reach Anant Ram Dairy. Told that it is a slum, expected some shoddy mud houses, dirt & filth on the streets, open drains & lots of semi-naked children playing on the streets. Images of 'KAANTA' (illegal power connection) also flickered through. Boy! Was I in for a very pleasant surprise. Most of the houses would put posh delhi colonies to shame. Though there were some obsolete, rundown, single storey shacks looking quite out of place now with the surroundings having changed for the better. The roads were still constricted (this couldnt have been helped for obvious reasons. when we encroach beyond our houses, the road is what gets reduced) I sensibly left my Qualis parked out of the colony. The marble & granite address plates outside the houses read 'ARD complex'. It took me a while to decipher the acronym - Anant Ram Dairy. Talk about my self assessment taking a beating.
Found the place & there were a couple of kids trying to open the door, quite unsuccessfully. I offered to help & it was locked. Then I realised the the door on the left to it opened into the same building. I walked in while the kids stayed out. My nervousness was at its peak, throat parched, furtive glances, all the signs of a high BP situation. I walked into a palce which climbed a couple of steps into a glass door with ornate wooden frame. Out walked a lady who beckoned me in. I followed her directions. I remembered the kids outside & I voiced my concern for them. I am not sure if she heard me (I squeaked would be more appropriate) but that door was opened for them. I was soon seated in a smallish but quite competently, proffessionally managed, official space. Before we could start off, another guy walked in. I was suddenly the senior one (by 2-3 minutes) He didn't look any better than me. We were asked to briefly tell about ourselves; past & present. He was fresh out of Engg. college & was to join an IT major. I told them that I am attending art classes. (I am yet to work out how to tell people that I don't work, in the least no. of words, & still keep their attantion on me as trustworthy)
Introductions done, she told us about their NGO, history & current projects. They are currently running a child education program & that's where TeachIndia & we, as volunteers come in. There was a long discussion about what is expected of us (not much for they will assign 2 children to each volunteer & based on the schedule that the volunteer can take, will fine tune the program).
I was completely disarmed by the simple the lady's determined nature. Not feeling nervous anymore, I put across a lot of questions, that I felt were pertinent. They have another center in Sonia Vihar, in RKPuram (but on the other side of Ring road, near Sangam cinema) where they just have space for a classroom & a women-empowerment tailoring workshop. We were asked for our preference of venue (we decided to confirm after we see the other center, i.e. tomorrow) & time ( they run 2 slots: 3 to 4.30pm for children upto 5th class & 4.30 to 6pm for children from 5th class to 9th).
We have decided that tomorrow the three of us (me, the lady & the other fellow, whose name is Akshay(!)) will go to the center & then decide. Now comes the quandry. Help me out guys. I wanted to confirm 5 days (mon. to fri.) from 3-6 pm. The minimum is 1 class (either of the 2 timings) atleast once a week. I want to go the whole way. But wonder if I'll be able to do it. I discussed with my wife & she reco-ed that I do the 3-4.30pm class, as that would be right after my art class (10-2pm) & in the same area. I can be back home by 5-5.30pm & still cope with my art homework & personal life. My monday, wednesday & fridays are days for practice & think that they will be reasonably lighter. I am now thinking of suggesting a 3-4.30pm slot on Mon, Wed, & Fridays. I can then take stock of the time & energy that I am left with & then increase the workload. What do you think? Please let me know your suggestions. I need to give my decision tomorrow.
