How good examples can transform children’s lives
Nine-year-old Sameer lives with his parents and siblings in a construction site where Asha-Kiran runs one of its Day Care Centers for the children of migrant workers.
His parents, who were unable to enroll him in school, signed him up for private lessons. Being the youngest in the family, Sameer was spoiled and spent most of his time on his cell phone, playing online games late into the night and ignoring his parents' advice.
Meanwhile, other children from the same area attended our Center. There, they learned songs, stories, and games that they then taught Sameer. Little by little, Sameer became curious and wanted to join them. Thus began a great change.
Within a few weeks, he stopped spending all his time in front of a screen and began making time for studying, playing, and participating in the Center's activities. His parents, surprised and grateful, told his teacher:
“Our son is no longer on his phone all day. Now, he studies and loves coming to class.”
Although our team strives to get all newly arrived families to participate, not all of them respond in the same way. In this case, it was the children themselves who inspired another child to change direction, proving that setting an example is one of the most powerful ways to facilitate change.
Now, Sameer attends class regularly, has healthy habits, and enjoys learning alongside his classmates. His story reminds us of an essential point: sometimes, it is not words that teach us best, but that some lives enlighten others.