My name is Arunachalakani. I am a volunteer facilitator with CEDAR, Paper Boat's partner in Tamil Nadu.

 

My father wouldn’t let me study further than 10th standard, so before working with CEDAR & Paper Boat I was making hand-made matches.

 

I hadn’t stepped into school for a long time.

 

Michael and Mari the other facilitators encouraged me a lot.

 

Everyone told me I wouldn’t be able to do it, as I had issues with my body weight. 

 

They challenged me, “How can you manage that many children?”

 

But the parents could easily see what their children were learning.  They used to watch them when they went for work. 

 

Then the parents saw discipline in their children and started trusting me. They saw their children had more faith in me than their own parents! 

 

They send their children to the city with me. They trust me with them anywhere.

 

They tell me, after I arrived, the children have come a long way. Even though I had no formal training. They really appreciate what I do.

 

When I think of the future, I want to equip myself by learning more. 

 

I have to meet the children’s expectations! They give me three answers to every question! These children are more capable than me - so I want to journey with them by equipping myself.