Volunteers for change

Teach for Change, an initiative by M.R.S.K. Chaitanya of Passionate Foundation, is your chance to give something back to the society. We look at five of the 150 applicants, who have come from diverse backgrounds, all to teach the kids at government schools.

Never too late
“If children have to go ahead and face the world today, it is very important for them to know English,” says M.S.V. Rao, retired director of information technology, Air India. With a lot of time in his hand and the will to do much more for the society, Rao will be visiting the kids every Saturday. When asked why English, he says, “Because the only subject in which children from government schools are not at par with kids from private schools is English.”

Instilling confidence
An IAS aspirant and a CA, Himakanth Andhavarapu believes that while information is free, the trick is in interpreting it for the kids. “In today’s world, they will get information everywhere but how will it help them if they don’t know English?” he says, adding, “Kids from government schools often lack confidence and that’s why I want to teach them English and leadership skills.” And how will he juggle between studying for IAS and teach the kids? “I believe I will learn more by  teaching the kids,” he answers.
 
Values for all
Divya Ghanathe, MBA student, believes in the power of girl education. To do her share towards their empowerment, she wants to teach. “I want to teach the kids Moral Science. I already have a little experience in teaching kids and that is why I don’t think this will be difficult for me,” she says.

Doctor on call
After finishing his MD in US, Dr Sirish Dharmapuri is back home for about four months before he goes back to the States.
“Instead of just whiling away my time here, I thought of doing something useful,” he says. Chaitanya’s senior at school, Sirish had been following the former’s activities for long. Talking about why he chose to be a part of Teach for Change, Sirish says, “While we are all proud of our country, we lack in so many things. And the only way we can change it is by sowing the seeds of proper education in our country. I had always wanted to become a teacher and I believe finding a little time is not so difficult for anyone.”

‘I Don’t feel like stopping’
Jyothi N. Narsingh has been teaching at Passionate Foundation since September 2013 and is proof that this kind of initiative can result in success stories. “I don’t feel like stopping. For housewives like me, it is not too difficult to spare some time once our kids are in school. It’s all about balancing both worlds,” says Jyothi.