Category: Volunteer Journal
Welcome to Stories of Change — a collection of real journeys from Meri Pathshala, Bandhini, and SHE Matters. Here, children learn with confidence, women earn with dignity, and communities grow safer and stronger — one inspiring story at a time.
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Redefining Respect Through Awareness of Periods
How the Periods and Respect Session Changed My View When the joint session by Odser began, I honestly thought it would be like any other health class. I assumed periods were something only girls needed to learn about, and I…
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Understanding Respect: How a Classroom Lesson Changed a Mindset
At first I was not knowing what this class is about. I felt shy. Everyone was quiet. Then didi told us about good behaviour and how to respect girls. She said boys also must help make school safe. She showed…
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Learning Consent and Confidence
When the Odser team came to our school, I was first scared and shy. I thought they will talk about things that we should not talk about in front of boys, I was uncomfortable in the beginning. But slowly the…
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Seeing Clearly, Reading Freely: Zoya’s new glasses open the world of words and confidence.
I volunteer once a week at Meri Pathshala during reading and writing time. One afternoon I noticed a girl holding her book almost against her nose. She squinted constantly, blinked too fast and leaned so far forward that her forehead…
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Learning on the Move: Vijay learns focus through movement, not stillness.
I volunteer at Meri Pathshala twice a week. I am a grandmother of three, and perhaps that is why I notice small things children do that others may miss. That is how I noticed Vijay. He reminded me of my…
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Writing Without Fear: Tanmay finds courage to write freely and proudly.
I volunteer at Meri Pathshala after school, and I work with a writing group of seven children. They are all different ages, but most of them struggle more with confidence than with writing itself. Tanmay, who is twelve, struggles the…
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A Story as a Gift: Lata’s dream to read to her mother inspires her whole reading group.
I work with a small reading group of five children. They come from Classes 2, 3 and 4, but all read at the same early beginner level. Each child has their own struggle, yet one moment from the first week…
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Math in Colors: Manoj learns addition through colors and rediscovers the joy of learning.
I joined Meri Pathshala in its founding year because I believed every child could learn if only we found the right way to reach them. I was an engineering student then, comfortable with equations, patterns and neat solutions. But nothing…
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From Tears to Triumph: Ritu regains confidence and begins reading independently.
I began volunteering with Meri Pathshala because I wanted to support children in my community. My own son had struggled with reading when he was younger, and I knew how overwhelming it can feel for both child and parent. When…
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When Words Stay in Place: Nikhil conquers his reading difficulty through trust and patience.
I volunteer after school because I enjoy teaching, but one child changed the way I understand learning. His name is Nikhil. Every time he tried to read, he blinked rapidly and shook his head. At first I assumed he was…