I did an experiment with 10 of the students who were a part of the Skill Development Programme of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India), the NGO I am currently associated with as part of SBI Youth for India Fellowship. I call this experiment “Story Telling and Learning“ experiment which follows the philosophy: Words can change the world.
I was asked to take a class on life skills which involved teaching certain life skills to students by means of stories. Not only was it something which I personally love to do but it was also something that I wish I’ll do during the course of this fellowship. I love taking classes and if it involves motivation and that too via telling stories, it was gonna be really fun. So, I was up for it.
The class went really well. I told them a story which involved a little boy named Ganesh whose mother died due to lack of medical facilities in his village. Since his mother died because of lack of facilities, Ganesh decided to become a doctor and help the needy. He was mocked upon by the wife of his poor father’s employer but he made sure that he was the one who saved her life at the end by curing her of cancer. The main theme of the story was Ganesh’s decision to take up the challenge and to fulfill it by hard work.
So, at the at the end of the story telling session, when asked upon, out of 10 students, 4 were able to come in front and tell their own stories of how they faced challenges in their own lives and overcame it. It gave them immense happiness. I could see that from their eyes. It was a small win. But to make these students talk about real life challenges, it was nothing short of magic.
These students are very hesitant. Some of them are in their school days, some in graduation, some even housewives, but what they lack is self belief. This is what I wish to provide them. Self belief. How to give that? Recognition.
After the session got over, 4 boys out of 5 and no girl (girls being more apprehensive) told their stories. But I could see that each and every one of them had a story to tell.
I asked them to write their stories and bring it to me the next day. They agreed readily and the session ended!
What happened next? Something interesting. 🙂
Pictures of the week:
