Halfway Point

The halfway point of the program has come and gone. We have been here for four weeks, and it feels like so much and so little time has passed, all at once. But how much have we actually done for the precious children we are teaching? If we look at the skills, behavior, and English that we have instilled in them then we deserve a pat on the back, for their improvement is astronomical. However, if we take a step back and look at the school facilities, faculty, and overall structure, then we have barely made a dent. We have not been able to remodel the schools, we are struggling with finding a proper nourishment system for the children, and we are still trying to permanently change the way discipline is addressed in these institutions.

Despite this dichotomy of successes, though, I think we all can agree that we have succeeded in growing as people, pushing ourselves when faced with the challenges provided by these schools. Our increasing confidence as teachers has led us to develop crazy, creative games and songs to add spice to our lesson plans. We have fashioned routines for the children to improve their obedience and respect, and we have been more patient with the children than any of us could have possibly imagined.

I enjoy looking back our first day at the schools, and even our first moments in Hyderabad, comparing those thoughts and emotions with the ones that I have today. Where the ruthless traffic used to terrify me, I now barely notice it; the cows in the road are just additional roadblocks; the constant construction is just another bump in the horizon. It’s amazing how quickly we have adapted to life in the city and learned to see its beauty. I’m actually a little worried about leaving Hyderabad, as America will seem so quiet and safe in comparison to life here, where I have become accustomed to horns honking, people calling to each other, cows mooing, and dogs barking. Hyderabad has definitely impacted us as much as we’ve tried to impact its school systems, and I hope we both continue to change each other for the better in the remaining four weeks of the program.