Picture Story: A trip to Orissa
Pratham
3:50:00 PM
Recently I made my trip to Orissa that was long overdue. I want to share with you the interesting things I saw and learnt....from children, teachers, villagers and sometimes complete strangers. We left from Cuttuck city at about 11 am to go to Khurda district which was 3 and a half hours away. We crosses a huge river or rather what was left of it....(this was in the winter months...wonder what it is like in the summers)
Fun Along the Way: The Pratham team and I stopped by a hot spring which is now a picnic spot on our way to another village.
Nearing Dusk: It was almost sundown by the time we reached our second last stop of the day. A child learning how to count using the Bandal tilli method.
Our last stop of the day: In a village where the volunteers have made two groups; one with the older children in Std 3,4,5 and the other group with younger children from Std 1 and 2.
The Spirit of Pratham: In the same village, soon after we arrived, there was a power cut. In a matter of minutes, the lantern were removed and the class continued.
This is when you realize…. You are part of something very big.
Our first visit was at a village where the class was already in session. Seeing us in the classroom, the parents came to talk to us. The man on the far left is the Sarpanch of the village.
Reality check: The lady told me in Odiya “I know in the city you need to press a button and the water comes gushing out. Do you find what I’m doing fascinating?”
He refused to smile for the camera. However when he finally agreed, this is what he gave me.
Fun Along the Way: The Pratham team and I stopped by a hot spring which is now a picnic spot on our way to another village.Nearing Dusk: It was almost sundown by the time we reached our second last stop of the day. A child learning how to count using the Bandal tilli method. Our last stop of the day: In a village where the volunteers have made two groups; one with the older children in Std 3,4,5 and the other group with younger children from Std 1 and 2. The Spirit of Pratham: In the same village, soon after we arrived, there was a power cut. In a matter of minutes, the lantern were removed and the class continued.
This is when you realize…. You are part of something very big.
By Anamara Baig: Mumbai
