“…and halfway into the year you will be visited by your Desk Officer to catch up with how your year’s going. This is an essential part of your OCN qualification.” Rustle of pens across paper, frantically trying to capture this scrap of information before it get lost in the morass of new information swirling round our tried brains.
Later when the chaos of training was over the Desk Officer (DO) visit seemed like a lifetime away.
But suddenly it’s the night before, tossing and turning in our newly scrubbed room, thoughts of inadequacy and impending judgement making it impossible to sleep. “I haven’t achieved enough and my class still misbehave, what if… I should have…..”
Exhaustion had its benefits at least, had no energy to be nervous.
When he finally arrived it was semi-surreal to see a familiar face standing in the courtyard of my new home. In the past six months I’d managed to transform the DO visit into Judgement day. All these fears evaporated with Tom’s friendly greeting. My DO Tom coincidently was the one who all that time ago in my High School Lecture Theatre introduced Project Trust to me in the first place. How far I've come since then.
The visit passed in a whirlwind of meeting people, interviews and lesson observations.
After weeks of worrying, sitting across from the Principal hearing her praises was a huge relief. When everyday is a series of challenges; plans I've laboured over never quite working out, classes who despite constantly telling them to “vinnandi” (listen) never shut up, living with 500 nosey children and my never ending list of goals and capacity for self-criticism… Well it’s easy to lose track of the achievements.
The wise and wonderful Principal was pertinent in making me realize the impact we have on the pupils goes beyond education. She was very happy with the affection and friendship that exists between us and our pupils. Tom was told that the pupils’ English had improved thanks to us conversing with us and the children enjoy our lessons –phew! It was validating to hear her praise. I felt appreciated which is always a welcome feeling.
There was also a meeting with our host, the school’s founders Dr & Mrs Goud. This went very well. The benefits of having (so far) seven years of PT volunteers were discussed. Long may it continue!
Of course Tom was treated to the customary tour. I love taking people round Devnar and showing them all the various facets of this institution, every time the visitors reactions are priceless – wide eyes, a million questions. These tours always renew my admiration of the work Devnar does for the blind.
Thankfully my pupils were on their best behaviour and I had one of my best ever lessons, they were enthusiastic and responsive. I was able to demonstrate my various teaching techniques such as ukulele sing-a-longs.
All this was great for Tom to learn about our work and lives here but for me the interview was equally as educational. He asked all the right questions to make me really think about my experiences, achievements, challenges and personal growth since coming to India.
This chat let me think. Now I can admit that initially it was all very overwhelming. I was unsure of what exactly I should be doing and had a lot of expectations which weren't being met. I’ve realized how much I've undermined my own achievements. For instance, a mere 4 months ago the idea that my class would behave would have seemed hilarious. Since then I’ve considered the reasons for their behaviour and realized the mistakes I made in communication and discipline. I’ve started using various techniques such as a sticker chart for positive reinforcement and found fun engaging activities for the children who now find English more interesting. Little things which make it all worthwhile.
Living with 500 children (plus others) was exhausting. This affected my opinions and actions. Getting over myself and making friends with pupils instead of acting like a strict and proper teacher has made my life much more fun. The little “Konsham” Telugu I know has made communicating with everyone easier. Slowly everything falls in to place. Now I feel very at home here and I appreciate it all the more knowing how long it’s taken.
Project Trust know what they’re doing. This visit was added proof for me that I made the right choice. Leaving all I knew behind to experience ea new life and culture while making a difference is something I’ve always wanted to do. Without PT I wouldn’t have been a bit lost as exactly what was possible to experience and achieve. I’ve found the OCN a huge help in guiding me and keeping me on track. A year is a long time but I’ve been amazed at how fast it’s flown by. Each month things evolve and I can appreciate how much I’d have understood about the country and been able to experience at each stage. For example a month here would have shown me the chaos of Indian and left me terrified of teaching but six months has shown me the joys of teaching! I’m now a part of a global PT volunteering community sharing experiences.
Selection, fundraising and Training were all great preparation for this year. Our Indian Reps are helpful. The support network is reassuring. So all in all good job PT! (Tom’s parting gift of mini eggs was in no way a bribe….)
TLDR: Everything went better than expected!
Later when the chaos of training was over the Desk Officer (DO) visit seemed like a lifetime away.
But suddenly it’s the night before, tossing and turning in our newly scrubbed room, thoughts of inadequacy and impending judgement making it impossible to sleep. “I haven’t achieved enough and my class still misbehave, what if… I should have…..”
Exhaustion had its benefits at least, had no energy to be nervous.
When he finally arrived it was semi-surreal to see a familiar face standing in the courtyard of my new home. In the past six months I’d managed to transform the DO visit into Judgement day. All these fears evaporated with Tom’s friendly greeting. My DO Tom coincidently was the one who all that time ago in my High School Lecture Theatre introduced Project Trust to me in the first place. How far I've come since then.
The visit passed in a whirlwind of meeting people, interviews and lesson observations.
After weeks of worrying, sitting across from the Principal hearing her praises was a huge relief. When everyday is a series of challenges; plans I've laboured over never quite working out, classes who despite constantly telling them to “vinnandi” (listen) never shut up, living with 500 nosey children and my never ending list of goals and capacity for self-criticism… Well it’s easy to lose track of the achievements.
The wise and wonderful Principal was pertinent in making me realize the impact we have on the pupils goes beyond education. She was very happy with the affection and friendship that exists between us and our pupils. Tom was told that the pupils’ English had improved thanks to us conversing with us and the children enjoy our lessons –phew! It was validating to hear her praise. I felt appreciated which is always a welcome feeling.
There was also a meeting with our host, the school’s founders Dr & Mrs Goud. This went very well. The benefits of having (so far) seven years of PT volunteers were discussed. Long may it continue!
Of course Tom was treated to the customary tour. I love taking people round Devnar and showing them all the various facets of this institution, every time the visitors reactions are priceless – wide eyes, a million questions. These tours always renew my admiration of the work Devnar does for the blind.
Thankfully my pupils were on their best behaviour and I had one of my best ever lessons, they were enthusiastic and responsive. I was able to demonstrate my various teaching techniques such as ukulele sing-a-longs.
All this was great for Tom to learn about our work and lives here but for me the interview was equally as educational. He asked all the right questions to make me really think about my experiences, achievements, challenges and personal growth since coming to India.
This chat let me think. Now I can admit that initially it was all very overwhelming. I was unsure of what exactly I should be doing and had a lot of expectations which weren't being met. I’ve realized how much I've undermined my own achievements. For instance, a mere 4 months ago the idea that my class would behave would have seemed hilarious. Since then I’ve considered the reasons for their behaviour and realized the mistakes I made in communication and discipline. I’ve started using various techniques such as a sticker chart for positive reinforcement and found fun engaging activities for the children who now find English more interesting. Little things which make it all worthwhile.
Living with 500 children (plus others) was exhausting. This affected my opinions and actions. Getting over myself and making friends with pupils instead of acting like a strict and proper teacher has made my life much more fun. The little “Konsham” Telugu I know has made communicating with everyone easier. Slowly everything falls in to place. Now I feel very at home here and I appreciate it all the more knowing how long it’s taken.
Project Trust know what they’re doing. This visit was added proof for me that I made the right choice. Leaving all I knew behind to experience ea new life and culture while making a difference is something I’ve always wanted to do. Without PT I wouldn’t have been a bit lost as exactly what was possible to experience and achieve. I’ve found the OCN a huge help in guiding me and keeping me on track. A year is a long time but I’ve been amazed at how fast it’s flown by. Each month things evolve and I can appreciate how much I’d have understood about the country and been able to experience at each stage. For example a month here would have shown me the chaos of Indian and left me terrified of teaching but six months has shown me the joys of teaching! I’m now a part of a global PT volunteering community sharing experiences.
Selection, fundraising and Training were all great preparation for this year. Our Indian Reps are helpful. The support network is reassuring. So all in all good job PT! (Tom’s parting gift of mini eggs was in no way a bribe….)
TLDR: Everything went better than expected!
