Being the Change

How was I supposed to say goodbye to my new friends? Friends with whom I’d formed strong attachments over the six weeks, and who don’t understand that Delhi is not my home? How could I explain to them, that I have a life half way around the world and my family and work only let me go for a short time, that this was temporary and now its time to leave? There is no way to do this, other than to bring cake!

On my last day at the Sunshine Project I disrupted the focus on exam papers and treated my 150 friends to a creamy treat from a local baker that arrived in two big flat boxes. The squeals of delight, and cream stained faces were all I needed as proof this was the right decision.

I left my heart in Delhi, and even though I can’t say when, something tells me I will be back.

Clowns Without Borders is an international association dedicated to improve the situation of children around the world who live in crisis situations (armed conflict, natural disaster, social injustice etc.). It is their aim to perform for these children and to bring laughter, joy and a memorable day full of excitement and they have traveled everywhere from Ukraine to Sri Lanka to Georgia. This year they are traveling across India and last Saturday they were in Delhi to give a performance to the children from the Sunshine Project.

I cannot describe the excitement level during the week leading up to the event. Kuku had told the kids we were going somewhere special but they didn’t have a clue what was going on and they wouldn’t stop asking what was going on. On the day, everyone dressed up in their finest and we had a little party at the project before we all boarded two big buses and rode out to a suburb of Delhi for the big show. You know what kids are like when they ride a bus on a road trip, sing-a-longs, shouting etc. This being India and these being kids who don’t often get treated this way, I can tell you our ride was louder than anything you can imagine and just too much fun.

The show was spectacular, the clowns performed magic and music and delivered good laughs but the highlight of the day for me had to be seeing lit up faces of the darling kids and the infectious sound of their giggles. I have to admit, I was almost moved to tears at one point as I looked around the audience and saw the looks of absolute delight on their little faces.

Almost a week later, we are all still talking about the big event and sharing our favourite moments of the day. We are so grateful to Clowns Without Borders and the amazing people who put the event together.

It is almost the end of the Indian school year, this is means exam season is here and all the Sunshine kids have been working extremely hard in anticipation. After a morning at school, they come over for help with homework and once that is done, its study period. It isn’t easy for them to focus in a room of 60 to 70 students chattering and trying to memorise their multiplication tables, poems, geography, spelling etc. I am reminded that for most of these students, getting through a school year is even harder since in many cases they enrolled into school later than their classmates and if they happen to have uneducated parents it means they aren’t receiving any coaching or encouragement at home. This means getting help at the Sunshine Project is critical for them if they are to pass their exams and graduate to the new school year. The good news is that Kuku has been able to arrange private tuition for a handful of the kids but for the rest, it is up to us teachers to make sure they understand their lessons, are able to complete mock tests and are ready for the big exams. We spend our afternoons sitting around tables with some 12 students of all ages and skill levels; we hand out mini tests, answer the many questions on every subject under the sun, correct and teach and I am amazed at how keen these children all are to learn and how determined they are to pass their exams. They work so hard every day and I only hope we are able to get them where they want to be.

Exams have already started for a small group and they are reporting back that they did well. I cannot wait to see their report cards and know there will be proud grins and pats on the back that day!