I was introduced to VYF through The NSS Unit of my
college. Despite being actively involved in various activities with NSS; I was
still in search of a platform where I could reach out to the unprivileged
section of society and do my bit for uplifting and developing society. Vivekananda Youth Forum, proved to be
the perfect platform for me.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that I've learned more
than all I've taught.
Since the first day of volunteering at VYF, I've been
attached to all children as well as
fellow volunteers. VYF is a place where I learn't how to adjust to various
situations. It has also helped me
overcome certain hurdles.
For instance, being a non-Maharashtrian, I wasn't
comfortable teaching students from Marathi
medium schools but I soon realised this wasn't really a hindrance. One day a
student came up to me and asked me to
teach him Maths. Maths being my favourite subject I couldn't say no to him and
I tried my best to teach him and give him whatever knowledge I could with the
help of diagrams and tables.
The next week the same student came up to me and asked me to teach him Maths
again. I was so happy that I was successful in transferring the little
knowledge to him in spite of the language barrier. Although I think it was also
because the child's willingness to learn and his determination. The kids at VYF have curiosity to learn and that is
what keeps me going. I like teaching them in new and innovative ways.
We celebrate all festivals together and kids learn the importance of festivals
through beautifully illustrated power point presentations. We even visit Chembur Children's Home (An orphanage
in Mankhurd) every Diwali and Christmas and decorate their premises, play games
with them and distribute food.
VYF taught me a very valuable lesson in life that
when we indulge ourselves in positive activities, our environment and life
eventually becomes positive.
VYF is family now. All the Didi's, Bhaiya's and
kids are in a constant process of development and growth.
Rishabh Khaneja is a first year student of Mumbai's Mithibai
College Of Arts. He is pursuing Bachelor of Arts with
the subjects: Economics, Psychology and Sociology. He loves all the three
subjects and wants to major in either Economics or Sociology. After his graduation,
Rishabh wants to apply for Teach for India's 2 year fellowship and prepare for
MBA as well. He is fond of reading, travelling and
music. Rishabh wishes to travel to all the states of
India on a bike and then write about his experiences in a travel blog of his
own. He is learning how to play the guitar
and he loves to listen to rock and classical rock music. He is optimistic in life and always
deals problem with a positive mindset. Rishabh believes that a happy life is a
successful life.