January 29, 2025
Inner Child
The bright blue and green walls of the Parikrma Humanity Foundation were a fitting backdrop to the energy within. Parikrma serves children from 95 slums and four orphanages in Bengaluru, providing free education, meals, health care, and life skills. Today, I had the joy of spending a day at Koramangala School. I was surrounded by children whose joy and resilience shone brightly despite their circumstances. When I entered the Mercury classroom (first grade), I was greeted with the most cheerful chorus of “Good morning, Akka!” which immediately made me smile. The children sat cross-legged on mats; the girls, dressed in bright green uniforms and jean kurtas with folded braids tied in black bows, and the boys, in green collared shirts and elastic-banded jean shorts, were ready to dive into their lessons. Their enthusiasm was infectious. I was supposed to sit in on the remainder of the class to observe and assist, yet instead, it quickly became a journey of reflection.
In the Mercury classroom, I watched first graders light up as they practiced reading sentences from the board. Hands shot up in unison, students desperately eager for the chance to participate. When one stumbled, others couldn’t help but chime in, not with judgment but with encouragement and overall excitement that they knew the answer. They celebrated each other’s successes, their laughter and giggles filled the room. It was impossible not to smile. It made me remember how, as a kid, I used to ask endless questions and find so much joy in the smallest of things.
I had the chance to talk to some of the first-grade students one-on-one to create profiles for donors who support their education. I asked them simple questions: What do you love about school? What’s your favorite game to play? What do you like to eat? One boy shyly shared that he loves coming to school and playing zombies with his friends. Another girl lit up, telling me that she loves mangos. Their answers were short, but they were glimpses into how they saw the world. They showed me so much joy, curiosity and appreciation for many simple things in life.
Interacting with the children one-on-one made me think about how, as adults, we are often afraid to fail. We hesitate to raise our hands or try something new, constantly worrying about success. Their passions were pure and unfiltered. These parts about myself have been buried under responsibility and societal conditioning. Parikrma children reminded me that life isn’t all about achieving goals but much more about connections and the small joys we allow ourselves to experience. Leaving the classroom, I felt humbled and very hopeful. Their joy, resilience, and authenticity have inspired me to look inward and find the inner child that I have tucked away. They taught me that joy is not dependent on circumstances, that resilience is a powerful force, and that community and connection are sources of strength.
By,
Kayla