ASEEMA

Aseema is an NGO that equips students from marginalised communities with quality education, focusing on a student-to-student interface to stimulate a comfortable learning environment. Since its inception in 1997, it has made strides in providing education to thousands of children. Whilst working with the NGO as a part of the CAS Program, DAIS students are honoured with the opportunity to embody the role of teachers. Ears perked up, brimming with enthusiasm and effervescent with ideas, the students of Aseema sit with the students of our school every Friday as a certain magical warmth fills the air. We teach Mathematics in these sessions, ensuring that each student gets individual attention by appreciating their unique strengths and fascinating inputs.

 

 

They ask interesting questions and we do our utmost to nurture this curiosity, appreciating that the sparkle in their eyes will someday illuminate the world with knowledge. To encourage the acquisition of practical knowledge, we organise enrichment workshops that expose them to new disciplines such as astrophysics, astronomy, arts, and crafts. We care deeply about their holistic growth: In the words of 3 students Shruti, Zaara and Sufiyan, “They ask us our interest, what we would like to be in our future life and they give us advice about it.”

 

 

Nurturing the curiosity and encouraging the interests of the students is central to DAIS' engagement with Aseema—it is the very thing that makes our time with them so special. With the aim of providing exposure to the students to different fields of study and life skills, DAIS students organized workshops on topics like: space and astrophysics, good citizenship, how to conduct debate and career guidance. Focusing on engagement and interaction-based learning, it was thrilling to see each and every student so keen on asking questions, especially on complex concepts like black holes. They took away from the session a fresh perspective—one that emphasizes that every contribution is capable of making an impact, whether it be an act of kindness or service.

 

 

It is truly remarkable how we learn so much more from the students than we teach. Their bright minds and love for learning are a source of inspiration to us. A strong intellectual and personal connection is forged, which is a heart-warming bond we cherish.

 

 

Our time with Aseema is always an enlightening, humbling experience–one that breathes life into the ideology that to educate a child is to turn walls into doors.