My first day of teaching in Akhankara started on the 3rd of September, marking another special experience in my life with Rotaract. It was a splash of curiosity and excitement for me; what type of a new experience it would be, and how I was going to commit to that day. The previous night was a delicacy where I dreamed without sleep. We came up with a big plan for a big day in our lives throughout a month and we were ahead of the light after a long night.
I woke up early in the morning and was alarmed to dress quickly but pleasant. I managed my way to the Thummulla bus stop to take the route to Awissawella. The team was already there expecting me and all were babbling about their expectations for the day to go. It did not take more than five minutes for the 122 Colombo- Awissawella bus to arrive at the bus halt and we all rushed with our eager endowed.
The journey to Awissawella was actually a trip for us on which we were busy chatting, laughing, and taking selfies enjoying about two and a half hours filled with joy. For us who were planning the project at home for months, it was more like celebrating the victory of a successful commitment. The time brought us to the end of that journey and we all got off the bus at the Puwakpitiya junction. The rest of our team was already there and we needed more time to share the journey experienced to Puwakpitiya. From there we got into another bus which took us to the school, which took only 30 minutes.
The bus carried us to a village of fantasy, where we were all fascinated by a line of mind-blowing sceneries. A troupe of mountains stood by the sides of the roads and we met a small but beautiful waterfall too. The village made us more enrolled in our mission, giving us the very first impression which was full of calm and happiness. It seemed to be all of us wishing that we would get a chance to live in such a village which is calm and beautiful.
It was about 9 a.m. when we reached our destination. The principal had his unique way of welcoming us with a delightful breakfast of Sri Lankan recipes. It was a wonderful meal which we devoured through our typical conversation of compassion.
Rtr. Supun, who is one of the vice presidents of our club introduced us to the students and with that mission for the day began. According to our plan, we first started with Science, which was one of the key focused subjects of the project and one of the hardest subjects as confessed by many students. Mathematics and English were the other subjects that we focused on. Rtr. Kalana, one of the project coordinators gave the start-up for the lesson. The way he interacted with the students altered the moment making the class respond really well. The children answered all the questions raised regarding the lesson. While he was teaching, some of us stayed near the students helping them to resolve their doubts.
The students were given a simple exercise based on what they studied and their answers were corrected by us. Most of the students gave their best in answering the questions given. We were eligible to analyse the students that way. Rtr. Supun, discussed the questions perfectly and the students were guided to answer the questions neatly and correctly. That way lessons continued until the lunch break.
After the lunch break, we started continuing in our own ways as we had already decided. We wanted to carry out a small interactive session regarding life encounters and hardships and how to overcome them mindfully. Rtr. Kalana performed the role of the main speaker and he reflected his great talent in motivating the students. Indeed we were all admirable and respectful personalities as university students who have done a great part in the journey of life for our success, the students listened to the session and interacted wholeheartedly until the end.
After some time, we resumed the theoretical discussion and the afternoon session was reserved for English. Rtr. Sulekha and myself had already prepared notes, model papers, and past papers that had been made by the English subject coordinators. Most of the students there thought English to be a severe mess that they could not understand. So, rather than just teaching a lesson we first tried to make them realize the importance of English in our studies and our future career. We were delighted to see their faces dissolved in compassion to learn the subject after that.
Even though most of us did not have any teaching experience before, the immense support given by the students in answering the questions and also in asking questions, made us more passionate about the service. It was indeed a relief talking to them, a bunch of little kids with the same mindset, striving for a bright future. Their voices of passion still echo in our heads taking us back to the day we experienced many first times in our lives.
After a short break, we continued to discuss the next and the most significant part of the lesson; Grammar. We were pleased as the kids were still following us, interacting so well, and some moments were actually entertaining as well.
Time was slowly bringing our day to an end, and we had to hurry to catch the bus at 4.30 pm. We took selfies with the kids marking our farewell with hopes to meet them again. The students were hurrying to give their feedback written on papers which still glow up in our minds as one of the most fulfilling experiences we had in our lives.
After bidding goodbye, we got into the bus which gave us that 30-minute ride back to the Puwakpitiya junction bus stop. After getting off we took a bus back and headed off to Colombo. The journey was happier than the morning when we enjoyed what we did, but a little anticipation blended with having to leave those little kids who made us really crave to have another session with them in soon future.
Life brings us fascinating moments sometimes which we cannot give throughout life. Akhankara was one such magical experience in my life that will forever stay in my heart. It was not just a teaching session but an expenditure filled with joy and satisfaction. The journey to Awissawella, the next ride to Illukovita school, and the time we spent with those youngsters and all the traditional recipes which we enjoyed; together is a memoir flashback, which still awakens our souls even when we hear the name Akhankara.
By Rtr. Imandi Abeysekera
Leave a Reply