The teachers and staff are very caring and understanding and try to help the volunteers in any capacity possible (when they are not too shy to talk to them.). Shawn.B.
I think the quality can improve if volunteers are more diligent in writing their lesson plans and if they take tome the first few days they arrive to lay out curriculum for the next week or two so as to avoid planning spur of the moment lessons. Leah.H.
I thought it was amazing, challenging, and unforgettable experience. Far from easy a lot of the time, I wouldn't change my decision to go there at all. .......if you have extra volunteers have them tutor some of the older students in English; they are all doing well, but with more one-on-one attention,they could really thrive. Leah.H.
Fantastic students who make you feel very appreciated. Amy.N.
That was the highlight of the experience. I enjoyed the 5 days a week and occasional Saturday. It was the most precious of experiences. K.N.
I think the curriculum that Tania and her team have established is at a strong level......Learning and growing intellectually, but also socially and personally, this is so much more important for them.
It is such an amazing experience. There's no comparison really. It must be lived to understand what it is, and what it is nothing like we experience in North America. It has changed my perceptions of basic needs and consumption.
Your strongest points are the sense of community created between the staff, the kids, and the volunteers.
Be prepared to have a mind altering and life changing experience. go with an open mind and an open heart. K.N.
It was nice to feel you were making a difference to people's lives through experience, rather than just sticking your hands in your pocket.
I think One! International needs to make sure it gets more commitment out of volunteers though. People need to realize that they are being put up for free by a charity and that a couple of weeks teaching isn't really enough. I think for what you offer volunteers, you should make them sign up for 3 months volunteering minimum.
Loved it. Miss it every day of my life - wish I could go back.
What you offer volunteers is unique and you should be proud of it. when I was looking for charity work, there was no avenue for someone like me who wants to make a difference but has no money. I also really wanted a hand-on experience and this is very difficult to find. You gave me a chance to feel I'd made a difference to the lives of some exceptional people, without charging me an extortionate amount like most charities. Zoe S.
Family oriented feel of the organization. Plenty of support and understanding for someone who is new to the country and the experience. Nassim J.
'The kids at One! are truly beautiful and they amaze me in that they can come to school each day with a big smile for you even though their home life is so very dismal and at times abusive. They have an amazing quality that enable them to just be in the moment and not burden themselves with the overwhelming conditions and atmosphere at home. I suppose this comes about more so from a need to survive on a daily basis where you cannot dwell on what has happened in the past but to focus on where your next meal is going to come from! It seems there is always a lesson about life to learn here and the chance to reflect on the abundances that we enjoy or seem 5o require in order for us to find happiness. Perry W.
I loved spending time with the children!. I think one of the best moments was when I did the home visits with Vinita. I thought it was really interesting to put everything in perspective and see where these kids were really coming from. I was so grateful that the families were willing to share their experiences with me. Sofie M.
My experience at the school cannot be described as anything less than wonderful. The children were really eager to learn, and everyone, children and faculty, was kind and helpful.. My coworkers quickly became my friends, and the children unfortunately became like my own. The school in Mumbai is more like a home for a family, and you cannot help but put a piece of your heart in it. Georgianna
Georgianna went on to say " It is my opinion that the teachers there are not used to being leaders of others: They are only capable of self-leadership. The teachers are the spirit of the school and I feel that everything will pick up in pace if they improve their leadership skills." Georgianna will be pleased to know that the teachers are now taking leadership roles in most areas of the school - they have grown in confidence and skills since 2007.
My first day working at the school I noticed a little girl named Piyu. She was so tiny...though she was 3 years old, because of malnutrition she looked only about one. She sat i the corner staring into space, barely able to move or emote at all because she had no energy or strength. Three month later when I was getting ready to leave, she was starting to talk, laugh, and even dance with the other children. It was in watching her that I realized that it does not take anything enormous to make a huge impact in the life of a child. Simple things we take for granted in the first world like basic meals, vitamins, and even love can make a child who can barely move dance.! ..............
Being part of One! has been such a special experience in my life. Not everyday was filled with the "warm fuzzy feeling" I had expected to feel helping out in India. Some days could be very frustrating when the kids didn't feel like listening, or when they got sick, or when the heat was unbearable. It is easy to feel discouraged in India because for every child you help, you will see 5 more on the street who need help. I love the idea of One! International: if you can make a change for just one child at a time, you have indeed made a difference. The love that I felt from the children was such a gift. They taught me so much about life: how little you really need to survive, how simple things can bring so much joy, and how small actions really can make a hug difference. Erica V.
IT'S ALL FOR THE CHILDREN.
THEY MAKE EVERYTHING WORTHWHILE
PART 3 coming soon.
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