April 2013
Over the last three weeks, for some
10 children of Deepam West Mambalam, it has been an experience as interesting
as it was inspiring. The children were treated to a visit to a Library so near their
school that it’s almost like an extension to their class-room.
A few weeks ago, one of our
volunteers came to know of a small library in an apartment next to the school
where Deepam WM functions. This library – called Sri Chakra Library -- is run by
Karthik, a young guy who holds Master’s
degree in English and History and an M.Phil
degree too. He is differently abled,having restricted mobility. The volunteers
of WM centre got to meet him in April and were impressed with his lively chat.
It was planned to take Deepam WM kids
in batches to the Library to get them inspired and to make Karthik happier (he
is ever happy with a cheerful smile on his face all the time). We then spoke
to the school HM, obtained her permission and left word with Karthik's mom
about our plan to bring few children to the Library on a Saturday. She and her
son were only too glad to say 'Yes'.
All the books in Karthik’s collection
have been accumulated by him over the past many years and maintained with
loving care. These books are stacked in a neat way. There are books to take you
down memory lane, books that you had always wanted to read but never got round
to it, books that today’s youngsters would like to read and – this is where
Deepam WM and its children come in -- loads of books and magazines (in English
and Tamil) specially meant for school-going children.
Here’s what Maduravalli ma’am of WM
Centerhas to say on how she sold the idea to the children she was sitting with
on 6th April and her own experience at the Library.
“This
morning, when I was sitting with the six girls of V standard, I announced that
if they give correct answers for all the revision exercises planned, then a
visit to a library will happen. They got so excited and did unusually well in
the revision exercises. Just before the visit, I briefed them about Karthik and
asked them to greet him before they start reading the books. The children were
visibly happy to do it when we reached there, what with Karthik's infectious
smile having that magical effect. They scanned through the kids' books that his
mom had kept on the table, and picked one each. Though most of them were quite
high for their usual reading abilities, they did attempt and when I found a
very interesting book titled 'Colour clown comes to town', I
replicated Deepam's library session there - reading it out to them and the kids
enjoyed it so well.
“While
putting back the books on the table, they noticed that there was a huge
Certificate framed and displayed at their sight level. It was the
"Young Achiever Award' given to Karthik by Rotary Club on 26th
March this year. It had a short write-up about him and when I read it out to
the kids, they came up with an "Aaahh...' on hearing that he was the
school topper in Advanced English and History in his 12th Std Board
Examinations.
“Then we
all left the 'mini library' thanking Karthik and his mom for the
wonderful experience. I am sure the kids will remember this day
forever. I reminded the children that with a strong will, if Karthik can
overcome so many obstacles and achieve this much, they can do a lot more. Even
as I am writing these words I am able to recall the wonderful expression that I
saw in the eyes of those children today.”
On
13th, another batch of children was taken to this Library and they
spent some quality time there for about half-hour, clearly enjoying every
single minute of it. And again on 20th, one more visit was arranged,
when the children wished to have a photograph taken with Karthik.
Karthik
himself was so happy that, in his mail to Madhu ma’am, he wrote,
“i
am karthik i run a lending library at home madhu mam made my house a
learning hub by bringing the kids here they catch wat is being
taught very fast and are very bright madhu mam at the end of the
class always asks the kids to read a caption abt me but she is energetic
and enthusiastic as kids and her friend vasanthi mam is also an amazing
person over all whole team is doing great job proud to do my bit”
And
the children?As always, when sitting with books, they were quite excited and so
it was during every visit. After exchanging greetings with Karthik they would proceed
straight to the section allotted for them (a sofa / table on which books are
neatly arranged and kept) – where they are sure to find many of their favorite titles.
Even
long after the visit, their excitement would linger on, eyes alight.Probably
with the thought of the story they’d just read or because they’ve found a
treasure trove and a friend just next door.
