BHOPAL: “My maid once asked me if I can teach her daughter as she was not good at mathematics and English. She came for few days and asked if she can bring along her friend too. I agreed and that’s how this small classroom began”, said Neeta Soni. Neeta is running a small open for all coaching for the slum children at her residence in Piplani where she gives free tuitions to children needing help in studies. The children from slum areas of 1100-Quarters now come to her from 3 pm to 6 pm everyday. Soni not only teaches them academic subjects but also basic manners to be followed.
“It is very important to gain the confidence of these students first so that they feel comfortable and can talk to me freely. These students, when they came to me initially were very reluctant to talk and say anything. It was later they told me that they feel shy of not knowing anything and not having good clothes. Now they are also part of my family. In fact, they celebrated my birthday and made all the arrangements. It was one of my best birthdays. I feel proud when these children score good marks in examinations and they come straight to me with their report cards”, says Soni. She also tries to motivate her students to motivate the children of their slum to enrol in schools and study.
“These kids, most of them are girls and this again is a very good thing that girls are more active and passionate about their studies. In fact many times, these students don’t go home and insist that they will stay and study at night during their exams”, she said.
