Door Step school (Bharatnatyam)

I taught Bharatnatyam to the Door Step School children in the 5th grade. I worked with a group of kids who were the children of migrant construction workers. Construction workers generally migrate from villages to cities such as Pune, work in construction sites and often move from one site to another. Their children do not have access to consistent education and cannot afford proper school. By teaching Bharatnatyam to these kids, I aimed to help them unleash their creative side. By coaching and training 35 children between the ages of 5-13 over the span of 3 months, I hoped to teach them something unique. I wanted to motivate children to express themselves through body movements. This service project culminated in the students performing a small performance for their parents.

Door Step School is a non-profit organisation with a mission to educate children living in the streets, and slum areas and children from the most marginalised communities. The NGO began its journey in 1989, providing primary education to hundreds of children. Out-of-school children have been the most neglected part of the education system. Door Step School – through its various programs, meets the child – where the child is and educates them.

This service project exposed me to the challenges faced by young children of construction workers for the first time. I was really sad that these kids didn’t have proper sanitation and access to formal education.