Support U&I at the World 10K Run

U&I works with a team of 1000 volunteers to reach 850 children across India. That translates as an incredibly low teacher: student ratio. Often times, a volunteer is assigned only one child, resulting in a bond between tutor and students that cannot be taught in a classroom.

While it’s our goal to impact underprivileged children, often times volunteers’ lives are transformed as well.

Our volunteer Raveena recalls the moment when her child asked her when she would visit next.

“Next Sunday,” she replied.

“Come on Saturday also, please?” requested her little student, warming Raveena’s heart.

Little moments like these fill our classrooms - everyday testimonies of how our volunteers are building bonds with their students.

Our volunteer Honey has often been told by her peers that she is a good teacher. After spending time at our Bangalore Learning Center, she realized that academics was only part of her skill set. She teaches her student time management skills, helps her set personal goals and is involved in molding her personality. To Honey this is not a part-time volunteer stint. This is her calling.

And with this bond between teacher and student, it’s only natural that our students to thrive under the mentorship.

At our Bangalore center, one student reported proudly that her New Year resolution was to speak English fluently, adding that she knows can do it with her akka’s guidance. She had put her trust in her akka (big sister), because she knew that was a safe place.

We take our responsibility towards each child extremely seriously. A responsibility that goes far beyond the text book.