DAIS Volunteering at Aseema

Aseema is a non-profit organisation that adopts public schools and teaches children from underprivileged backgrounds, especially those with special needs. My job as a student volunteer is to teach a group of 5-6 kids every Friday afternoon, in order to improve their concepts of Math and English, and work on their weaknesses in these subjects.

This service is very enjoyable for me because although there are difficulties with maintaining the children’s attention and keeping them interested in the topics, I love working with kids. I love being a part of an institution that helps better children’s education because as a student, I strongly believe that education is indispensable for a better future, not only because it improves our chances of getting a higher-paying job or a top position, but because it is essential for recognising our talents and following our interests.

Even though I thoroughly enjoy working with the kids and feel that my Friday afternoons are well spent with Aseema, I have had a few doubts about whether I am actually helping these children in any way or am I simply disturbing their classes. However, I have realised that although I may not be creating a national or global impact by volunteering with this organisation, I am helping these children by giving them something that, due to the sheer number of students at the school, they might not get: individual attention. I am able to observe the improvements in the children’s learning over a period of time whether it is understanding a concept better or being able to pay attention for longer periods of time, because I work with a small group of kids from the same class. So even if I am only creating a small impact on a few people, it is still an impact, which is what CAS is about.