“Aap bade hoke kya banna chahte ho?” This is a question every child is asked at some point; we were too. Our answers were full of dreams and hopes that didn't have to face the real world just yet. As it happens, this question was asked to our young students at the Gurgaon Project Educate Center (PEC) — “Doctor, engineer, cricketer, pilot, police officer, teacher…” they answered in excitement, “...dancer!”
They dreamed of being dancers. Every day, they would come up to us volunteers after their classes were over and ask so sweetly, “Didi, dance karwado.” Now, I do not call myself a dancer, but spending just a few minutes with these kids bursting with energy and bubbling with excitement the moment the music played – I couldn’t help but join them. Even on the harshest days of the sweltering summer heat of June, we danced through heavy breaths and smiles on our faces. The children, so eager to learn new dances, would even deny water breaks, saying they didn't feel tired yet… as the volunteer who was teaching them these dances looked at them – shocked and exhausted. They really did outdo us!
Though we, too, are only 18-20 years of age, we saw what it felt like to be so young and energetic. To be so immensely excited, eager, and passionate just for a few short dance sessions. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Education is not limited to wrote-learning and textbook concepts – it goes so much further. It is the constant state of curiosity, wonder, and learning. It gives you someone who is not just book-smart but also passionate, creative, artistic, and expressive.
That is what Project Educate does. It gives these young children the skills, the education, and the opportunity to live their dreams. To teach what is needed, beyond the classroom.
