The Pain Behind the Silence…

(A Teacher’s perspective…)

Azaruddin comes from a very poor family. He and his brother Imran are in 8th class in Govt Secondary School Police- line. Azaruddin is very shy, quiet, and lost in his own world. I always wondered, “What does he keep thinking about?” As a tradition, during the lunch break, I take time to talk to a student who does not pay attention in class and try to know the reason. During one of those times I went and spoke to Azaruddin. I enquired about his family. He was silent and then said ‘My father burnt my mother in anger when we were only two years old. When asked where his father was now Azaruddin nodded his head negatively and said, “Even if he comes now I will not be with him, I will beat him”. Actually his dad, after killing his wife, left Imran and Azaruddin with their grandmother and got married to another woman. No wonder no one wanted to talk to us when we went to their house during the baseline survey visit. Probably they did not have anyone to talk for them. They have gone through hard times when children and neighbours abused them for the wrong reasons. They did not have anyone to defend them, they were always beaten or yelled at.

That reminds me of our first spoken English session in their class. When we started taking classes in their school, we taught children about introduction which includes their name, parents’ name, which class they are studying in… That day each student stood and introduced himself/ herself. When it was Azaruddin’s turn he told his name but did not mention his parents’ name. Instead he started crying. His brother Imran looked sad but controlled his tears. We wondered what happened. When we enquired later we came to know his life’s realities.

Recently, HOPE worldwide started tuition for 6th,7th and 8th class students who are weak in English. Azarrudin and Imran both were there for the tuition on the first day. By the end of the tuition that day, we could see an unexplainable happiness on Azarrudin’s face. When asked he said, “Today was the first time I have not forgotten what I have learnt. Thank you, Mam.” Probably for the first time someone believed in him and gave him the hope that he could do achieve something.

This moving incident made me realise how much pain some of these children have experienced. It breaks my heart to think of such suffering at a tender age. It also makes me more determined to do a good job and teach the “whole child”. What I mean by that is not just teaching academics but really caring for our students.- Amruthavalli, Trainer, HOPE worldwide - Rajasthan.