Later I go to the night school that has just started. Lakshmi belonging to the local fishermen community, has studied till the 12th standard and has volunteered to teach the children when they come back from school. Fifty five children from the village come here every evening to sit and study for three hours under a lightbulb on the roof of Lakshmi's house.Initially they think that I will "speak only in English" and later ease up when I speak in normal Tamil !
Suvetha is reading "Anne Frank's diary" in her English text book, while Vanmathi has been finishing her homework - Question: " What are streams and the sea compared to? Her answer:" Stresms are compared to religigions and the is compared to God".She has decided to swallow the sea today and forgot that she has already written the gi. I point this out and she bites her pencil in reply, but "I will correct it with my new lubber". Five minutes later, her answers emerge. Impeccable in good handwriting.
There is a Hermione Granger in the class - Vaideeswari ("I am Vaideeswari. I am studying in Seventh Standard A section Sir"). She knows almost everything in the lessons that have been taught at school and never misses a chance to jump up and down to answer questions. She knows in which sections, the exam portions have not been covered and what Vanmathi does not know in a subject.She then volunteers to teach them! Clever and helpful.
And then there is Ron Weasley - Chandru. Forever smiling and the center of all attention because of his pranks and jokes. While sitting and teeaching him, I notice his half finished English homework. "Write these words in one full page" -- " boy toy baby web". I remember wondering the choice of words for a imposition. Web? Why web? No idea! I am only happy if Chandru finishes his homework in time which he does prompt and proud ("How is my English handwriting, Sir?")
(Photo left: Children studying under a light bulb in Sadras)
Lakshmi, the teacher says that the children have become more sincere since the tsunami. They are more focused and have put behind the disaster. Often, one parent or the other peeps in to check how the kids are studying and go back home with happy and proud faces. It is such a good thing to see them study and play.
(Photo below: Kids playing in Meyyur kuppam in a playpark donated by CRDS)
