Help 30 first-generation learners begin school

After last year's playgroup class graduated to nursery school in May, playgroup resumed in June with a new batch of little ones and their parents! 

AIC playgroup supervisor, Barnali, reports that parents and their children are initially a little timid about jumping in and participating, but with encouragement from her and teacher Vaishali, begin to take part in activities like play dough, beading, story sessions, and active play. As the school year goes on and the little ones become more comfortable in the classroom setting, this repertoire of activities will grow to include many other things as well.

One mother, 25-year-old Neelam, is a shining example of an AIC community mother who has taken an extremely active interest in helping her 2-year-old son, Rahul, get a head start on his education by attending weekly playgroup classes.

Sadly, Neelam herself was denied an education because she was orphaned at a young age and stayed with her alcoholic grandmother along with a handful of her cousins who had also been orphaned. Neelam's grandmother sent her grandchildren out begging on the streets every day to provide for the family and finance her alcohol addiction. Though Neelam was one of AIC's first contacts in the Waghri community, and AIC directors and staff tried countless times to convince her grandmother to allow Neelam to be enrolled in school, she was not permitted to give up begging to attend school. 

As a result, she has worked doubly hard to ensure that her own children, 5-year-old daughter Kinjal and son Rahul, will always have access to ample educational opportunities. Recently, Barnali sat down with Neelam to talk about her experience with the AIC playgroup, and learn more about how it fits into Neelam's hopes and dreams for her children's futures.

Barnali: Why did you choose to enroll Rahul in the AIC playgroup?

Neelam: School is very important. Rahul will just sleep at home and do nothing, but if I take him to playgroup, he will learn something and play a bit. Although Rahul is new to the playgroup, I have seen the changes in Kinjal. She studies on her own, and does her own homework, so Rahul will also learn like this. He is already opening up and trying to express himself. 

Barnali: Which parts of the playgroup session do you find the most interesting?

Neelam: I like the story time. And activities for hand-eye coordination like beading and putting straws through holes are also good.

Barnali: How about you? What have you gotten out of the sessions?

Neelam: I have learned the rhymes, and I enjoy watching my son play and also being able to play with him during some of the activities.

Barnali: What are your goals for the future?

Neelam: I want my children to study and become financially independent so that they have a better life. I will not allow early marriage for my children, and I want them to study as much as possible. I want a good life for my children. Ashraya has changed my life completely and I am happy here.

We look forward to continuing to watch Rahul grow and develop as he and his sister make strides toward the milestone that his mother could only dream of: becoming the first educated members of their family.