Literacy Project
Teaching and investing in the future of children who lack opportunities has always been a passion of mine. I began volunteering at a young age with IBEL, (Integrated Brilliant Education Limited) a charity in Hong Kong that supports the education of underprivileged ethnic minority children. Their motto, “If you teach a child to fish, he will feed himself for life”, resonated deeply with me. Many of these children looked like my brother and me but were born to construction workers and security guards and faced language barriers, attending Cantonese language schools despite that not being their first language. This opened my eyes to how crucial language and access is in shaping a child's future. When I moved to India, I saw a similar issue–language remained a barrier for many students in government schools, which are predominantly Hindi-medium. This inspired me to start my literacy project, a community service initiative aimed at breaking down linguistic barriers.
I teach students from government school basic English through interactive lessons about holidays, festivals, and real-life situations, boosting their confidence and communication skills. Their excitement and enthusiasm to participate actively and learn, grasping all opportunities provided to them, inspired me and strengthened my commitment.
This project has not only empowered the students but also helped me grow. I improved my Hindi, stepped out of my comfort zone, and realized that small actions can create meaningful change. It reinforced my belief that education, particularly language skills, is key to unlocking potential and creating opportunities for upward mobility.
