Some of my most rewarding hours this year were spent in a classroom in Dharavi. Through the SOSVA Dharavi Project, I volunteered with a group of children, and each session mixed learning with art, stories and performance.
Mandala art: an ancient practice for focused minds
We began with Mandala art. I told the children how it originated in India and travelled with Buddhist monks across East Asia. We talked about why it is more than just pretty patterns: drawing a mandala builds focus and concentration, and it takes patience and discipline to finish one. Then came the best part — the children picked up their colours and filled in mandala pages on their own. The results were bright, bold and beautiful.
Children colouring their own mandala designs.
Every drop counts: the water cycle
In our next session, we explored the water cycle and why conserving water matters. The children drew pictures and recited poems about the summer heatwave, the journey of water from clouds to rain, and how planting trees can help fight climate change.
Drawings and poems about the water cycle and the monsoon.
Small habits, big impact: climate action
We then talked about climate change in a way that felt close to home. Using pictures, poems and stories, I explained greenhouse gases and simple climate-friendly habits: separating wet and dry garbage, turning kitchen waste into compost, and carpooling. The children read out their own poems and acted out a short skit on the theme.
To end the session, I read The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds — a story about a girl who believes she can’t draw, until one small dot changes everything. We talked about its message: every big creation starts with a single, brave first mark.
Storytelling, poems and a skit on climate action.
Taking the stage
Some sessions belonged entirely to the children. They sang songs and danced, some solo and some in groups, in front of the whole class. Watching shy faces turn into confident performers was the highlight of the project for me.
The children performing songs and dances for their class.
What I took away
I went in to teach, but I learnt just as much: that curiosity is universal, that art and stories make big ideas easy to grasp, and that a little encouragement goes a long way.