Joanna (Asha) Sturmilowska - Poland

I volunteered with Dakshinayan in February 2010 and I have to say that this was the most amazing experience of my life! Not only because I was in one of the most remote parts of India where not many foreigners had manage get to, but most of all because I hopefully had a chance to help with bringing education to children who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance for it. My only regret is that I could stay there just for one month and trust me, this is not enough, and my plan is to go back and stay for longer.
Like some of the volunteers before me I had no previous experience with teaching except what I took away from my own school years. But this is really not as difficult as you may imagine. I had been teaching class 3 and 4 so the kids who had previous experience with volunteers and could communicate in English quite well. Two things that I tried to do was to show the kids that I really care and make the teaching as much fun as it was possible. The greatest reward was when I realized that they listen and remember what I was trying to teaching them! So if someone is thinking about coming to Dakshinayan but is afraid that one month will not make any difference than I can tell you otherwise! It makes a great difference! Those kids will listen to your every word because they really want to learn. It was really amusing when in the afternoon when kids were coming to play they sometimes rather play hangman than cricket. :)

The life at the project is simple but it actually felt more comfortable than I was expecting. Everybody wakes up very early at the project and sometimes I was up at 5.30 in the morning but there is nothing more beautiful than the sunrise over the hills and amazing landscape behind the project. You go to sleep very early too so waking up is not a problem after a while. I was given my “own” solar panel so I was able to read comfortably in my room after dark. I found as well that my favour pass time was helping Shonku, one of the workers at the project, with cooking. And I am a person who does not really do any cooking ever! However a food preparation at the project is something so completely different to what we are doing in our kitchens that even I got interestedJ. Going to a village market was something no one should miss either and learning yoga with kids was one of the funniest experiences I had at the project! But one of the best days was without doubt Holi festival. I can’t even describe the joy and energy with which kids were participating in the celebrations, throwing at themselves (and me) colourful powder! And even though I looked later like a pink monster I don’t think I would exchange that day for anything!
Where India completely blows your mind and can make you go mad, coming to the project is like finding yourself on an island where life goes on according to completely different clock than rest of the world. I came across this organisation by accident and it was the volunteer’s blog which persuaded me to go to the project so I hope that whoever reads this will get some inside to the life at the project and it will help you to make up your mind like it happened to me, because it is really worth it. If you have any questions about how it is to volunteer for Dakshinayan you can email me on asia_toja@hotmail.co.uk .
Good luck ;)