From Class Troubler to Class Teacher

Pappu, from Class Trouble to Class Teacher

Pappu was one of the multitudes of children who ran around the Yamuna Pushta slum over ten years ago. Unschooled and unruly he had a hard time settling down in class. Most of the kids who attend our slum schools have never had any kind of formal education so sitting in a classroom all day is more than they can manage sometimes.

Sheila, one of his teachers, remembers him well. “He was one of those children who would distract the whole class. He was a challenge to teach.” She does smile though as she recalls those early days. Pappu had a spark about him and he won over the hearts of his teachers.

The love and care of the staff worked miracles with this child. As the years went by he did settle down and finished his schooling. Amazingly he is now one of the teachers at the HOPE worldwide Bawana School just outside Delhi. He is a poised young man who is pursuing his higher education. He is also giving back, teaching young slum children who remind him of what he used to be.

When we go beyond the call of duty and really care about the children we teach we may raise up young men and women who will in turn take care of their community. Our work can sustain itself and be multiplied if we look beyond the challenges.