By 2016 Fellow Santosh Rai

As I walked into my classroom (Grade 10) in the second period, I noticed that all of my students were feeling lethargic. On the other hand, they were trying hard to pretend that they had all the energy to attend my class. I asked them why they looked so tired. One of the students replied, "Sir, ani paani nai chhaina, tei bhaera, tirkha le sabaijana jhokraeko"  (There's no water to drink. That's why everyone is thirsty and low on energy). I felt very sad on hearing that.

I realized that it had been two days since water stopped coming from “Tirtire Dhara”. I felt that if I started teaching them in such a condition, it wouldn’t be effective. I thought it would be good if someone could go and fetch a jar of water. The water pipe is located on a steep slope and it requires thirty minutes’ walk to reach there. But even if someone gets a jar of water, it won't be enough for everyone. So I thought of taking the whole class to the water pipe to drink water. I asked them, “Do you all want to go and drink water or you want two of your friends to bring it for you?” They all answered in unison, “We all want to go.”

I suggested that it would be better if they could bring water for students in other classes as well. They all agreed to this and started collecting jars from other classrooms. Before starting our journey, I said, “It’s not just about fetching water, it's about learning. It's a kind of assessment on group work and discipline.” I was fortunate that I didn’t have a class for my third hour and the teacher who was supposed to take their third hour would be in a meeting.

We slowly walked down the slope forming a line. As they walked, they sang a rhyme which I had taught them in the classroom. The rhyme goes like this:

Is this a finger?

No, no, no.

Is this a window?

No, no, no.

Is it a hen?

Oh no, it isn't.

What, what is it?

It's a pen.

Suddenly, I heard someone asking a question, “Is this a rock?” and another student replied, “Yes, it is.” One more voice came, “Is this a Salla tree?” and another replied, “No, it isn't.” More and more questions started coming up and the students were enjoying answering them. I felt so glad to see that they could connect classroom's learnings with real life examples.

After few minutes, we reached our destination. Some started filling jars and bottles. They drank water and washed their faces. Before returning, I asked, “How are you feeling now?” They replied, “Refreshed and happy”. I was pleased to hear that. I saw them taking turns to carry the jars, showing mutual help and importance of group work. We reached our school and they distributed water to all the other classes. When they were done, I asked them to write an essay regarding their mini tour and social service experience and they agreed to do that.

This short trip helped me to strengthen my relationship with my students. A happy, memorable and inspiring one indeed. This trip we had with a motive of social service did take us closer to our student vision: “Positive role model in their society and demonstrate a sense of responsibility towards people and future of the community”.

Santosh Rai is 2016 Fellow teaching in Chandeshwari Secondary School in Simle, Lalitpur.