MY JOURNEY
Pws rssp 2014
Opening - Day
OPENING DAY
The idea of a Service Project in June is certainly not the most exciting proposition that comes to mind when you plan for a summer break. Having said that, with every passing year we have had a conscious growth in the realization amongst the young adults for a need to connect beyond their immediate communities.
For most students a Service Project is a highlight and a hallmark of their time in a Round Square School. The Projects enable students to build on the personal benefits fostered by the School. Students work hard in a team, with people of other nationalities, in a different environment, toward wholly worthwhile objectives. This is an experience without equal. It provides students with an alternative, equally valuable experience
Round Square Collaborative Service Project 2014 hosted by Pathways World School, Aravali begins from 9th June and runs up to 16th June, 2014. Students from The Millennium School, Dubai; Assam Valley School, Assam; Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai and Genesis Global School, Noida apart from Pathways World School as the host school have come together to build six toilets for girl students at GOVT. GIRLS SR. SEC. SCHOOL, BADSHAHPUR and two units at PRIMARY BOYS SCHOOL, BADSHAHPUR.
In addition, the Boys School access road needs to be paved – which is approximately 10 feet wide and 70 feet in length. This needs to be done with inter-locking cement tiles with a graduated incline so that rain water does not damage the road in future and gets good access to the children. Besides, there emerged the need for installation of an R.O (which the School has) in a secure manner to add to the water drinking facility.
Also improvement of the water drinking station with tiling, making a trough, replacing taps and getting clean access to running water needs to be looked at. Then closing/securing the rain-water harvesting pits which have been left precariously open and are as deep as 20 to 25 feet and finally doing a metal grate access near the Gate – with a deep drain to regulate the flow of running rain water are also on the agenda.
Keeping in tandem with Kurt Hahn’s belief that schools should have a greater purpose beyond preparing young people for College and University, Pathways World School cultivates the much needed momentum in students to prepare for life by having them face it directly and experience it in ways that would demand courage, generosity, imagination, principle and resolution.
ICE BREAKING SESSION
Round Square is all about making new friends to being able to contribute towards society and this years’ service project focuses on exactly all of that and the ice breaker session was the perfect start to this journey. The excitement was in the air as students from all the Schools assembled in the common room in Amazon. Many were hesitant while some were bold enough to go and not only introduce themselves but form long lasting friendships with people from different schools.
As the session began, the Round Square Representative from Pathways, Mr. Sumit Dargan introduced himself and briefed everyone about the journey ahead. After the basics were cleared, it was time to have some activities and the first activity we had was ‘bang bang’. It was a simple yet challenging game and everyone had a great laugh. There were four winners at end who earned themselves chocolates.
The next activity we played was called ‘BINGO’ which was far from the traditional bingo game. Here everyone was given a sheet of paper with different categories which had to be matched with various people. In less than five seconds it went from a little buzz to a fish market as everyone was screaming to fill their boxes in an attempt to win a chocolate. After five minutes of absolute chaos Anushka from Assam Valley School was declared the winner who managed to fill 17 boxes out of 20.
The third game we played was called ‘tricky numbers’ which was a true test of basic Math skills for a lot of people. However, in the end once again Anushka from Assam Valley School managed to defeat everyone again. Quite an evening for her! However by the end of this evening all divisions had disappeared and we were a not students from different schools anymore but we were one group of students with a common goal.
Deus Bajaj ,Grade 11,Pathways World School
Day - 1
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 1
We started Day One of the Round Square Service project early in the morning to avoid working in the sweltering and often unbearable heat that characterizes Delhi summers. We woke up, had our breakfast and were all ready to leave by 5:45 am in the morning. As everyone had expected, today’s day was exciting but at the same time very tiring.
We first went to the Boys Primary School where our first task was to level the entrance road to the School in order to enhance the accessibility to the school premises especially during the Monsoons. This was done by placing a layer of stones on the mud road which were then to be covered by interlocking tiles. The task at hand was a physically challenging one, but all the students worked collaboratively and were able to level the road with a layer of stones all before breakfast.
After having spent a good time working on the entrance way in the Boys Primary school we then moved to the Government Girls Senior Secondary school. Everyone grabbed a quick bite and soon we were all ready to get back to work.
The task that lay ahead was to help set up new sanitation facilities which included building new toilets. Our task for the day was to clear patches of towering shrubs which had overgrown in place of the proposed facilities. We worked with shovels and got rid of the excess foliage and in doing so also got acquainted with the remaining participants from the other schools.
We plunged in the pool the moment we hit back and lunch soon ensued. An hour’s Art Session engaged us during the day but we managed to catch an hour’s sleep to revitalize us for the evening shift. Evening saw us armed with paintbrushes. We whitewashed the outer walls of the School building and later treated ourselves to sugarcane juice.
In all, the experience was exciting and thrilling. We made new friends across different Schools. It seems a good start to a long journey!
Text: Deus Bajaj & Tanmay Kanth ,Grade 11,Pathways World School
Day - 2
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 2
We left for the work site at 6 in the morning to begin yet another day of adventure, labour and collaboration. A good night’s sleep revitalised all our energies and all the delegates were full of enthusiasm when we entered the Primary Boys’ School. All of us were divided into 4 groups with a student leader in each, to decrease the workload and at the same time, complete the work more efficiently. Group Leaders for today were Prerak Gupta of Global Genesis School, Abhiman Paul of the Assam Valley School, Damian E. Fernandez of the Millenium School, Dubai and Sagarika Singal of Pathways World School.
Two groups white-washed the walls of the school with another coating while the other two piled up the bricks for the toilets in an organised manner. After a quick bite, we painted the school pillars and the roof. In addition to the students and teachers who immersed themselves in painting and redefining the various art works on the school walls but the Head of Pathways Parent Partnership (PPP), Mrs Pratibha Kedia, and another parent, Mrs Reena Singhal, also joined us briefly.
On returning, we quenched our thirst with chilled mango shake and then headed for the pool while some indulged in squash. After a hearty lunch, all of us went to Nalanda for an hour-long art session where we continued working in our groups on the various art works. We also made the clay slabs ready so that we can transfer our work there.
After an hour of rest, we left for the work site once again to finish off what we had started – some more whitewash and the paintings on the wall of the Primary Boys’ School. We saw the school transform beautifully and were deeply content. Special thanks to Yash and Sumit, the boys who study in the same school, for helping us uplift their school.
Text: Anauska Dutta and Harvey Newton Diengdoh
Grade 12, The Assam Valley School
Day - 3
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 3
Day 3 began quite differently because we started with a 5 k.m. trek. The group leaders for today were Hormaz Patel of the Millenium School, Dubai, Arjun Bhateja of Global Genesis School, Harvey Newton Diengdoh of the Assam Valley School, Tarini Gupta of DAIS, Mumbai. We expected the trek to be very strenuous and tiring but it turned out to be easy and enjoyable.
At the end of the trek we boarded a bus and went to visit two schools in the neighbouring villages, Raiseena and Haryahera.
We saw the commendable work done by the delegates of Round Square Service Project of previous years in terms of building toilets for girls, a stage for school assemblies and many other projects. It motivated us to fare even better at our current project sites.
Soon we were at the Primary Boys’ School where we dived into breakfast before starting the day’s work. We formed 2 human chains in order to unload an entire truck of heavy tiles to pave the access road to the school. It may seem simple but considering the heat and the weight of the tiles and having to improvise with people joining and leaving the chain, it was a huge challenge. Hard work paid off and we reaped rich dividends when, upon finishing most of the work, we were treated to Pepsi and Coke. What a blessing on a hot summer day!
Back in school, we immersed ourselves in our favourite activity, swimming! After a heavy lunch, we went to Nalanda for an hour of art during which we traced our drawings on to a clay slab. It was our first exposure to this technique in art.
During the evening session we first cleared the road of all the tiles and placed them neatly along the access road to be paved, making it easier for the labourers to work on the road. We also levelled the road by shovelling the mounds of cement left precariously on it. The sugarcane juice served to us every evening revitalized our souls and we were ready for more.
We were in for yet another pleasant surprise. We were served a non-vegetarian meal, a welcome change after what seems aeons of vegetarian diet!
The day was quite tiring much like the others but in the end the satisfaction which drove all the delegates home made it a day well lived. Looking forward to the next!
Text: Karthik Satheesh and Shivin Singh
Grade 11, The Millennium School, Dubai
Day - 4
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 4
We headed for the Girls Govt. Senior Sec. School at sharp six in the morning. We entered the work place with more energy than usual; thanks to the butter chicken we had the night before at Chancellors Club.
The group leaders for the day were Nandini Agarwal of Genesis Global School, Karthik S.Kumar of Millenium School Dubai, Khush Zaveri from D.A.I.S and Shivin Singh of Millenium School Dubai. Today’s work was all about painting and we started with the trees. It is done to avoid termites from eating it away.
Gradually the platforms all around the School, the walls of the washroom, the entrance and the huge gate were all merrily painted by the arduous delegates. Some of us also removed the weeds growing all over the ground.
It really boosted our morale to see Yash and Sumit, the two boys from the Boys Primary school reach the premises before us. They seemed quite enthusiastic about painting the Girls school.
It was not only work we enjoyed but getting into the swimming pool and playing with our new fellow friends renewed our energy levels. In the post lunch Art Session we designed the clay slabs we had made the previous day. It was good to see hours of hard work come in to fruition.
In the evening we went to the Boys School and were thrilled to see the tiles we had unloaded from the truck the other day, being laid out. Warm welcoming smiles on the faces of the people living nearby greeted us and we knew we had done a splendid job. We dug the foundation of the toilets which was quite strenuous as the ground was laden with rocks but nothing could deter us from our goals.
During the early de-briefing session, Pathways World School Director, Dr. Naidu told us that every year the Round Square Service Project is blessed by good showers of rain. Perhaps, at last the Lord above was pleased with all the labour, sweat and toil and we received a little rainfall.
We were wet and muddy and messy but we enjoyed the work and worked diligently.
Before we never realised the importance of rain and hardships but this service project has completely changed out mind-set and our opinion towards life. We realised how privileged we are. We are so well furnished with all the facilities without even asking. We learnt to be grateful for the little things in our life which make it worth living.
Text :Yashi Kamboj & Prerak Gupta
Grade12,Genesis Global School
Day - 5
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 5
The cool showers provided a much-needed respite from the scorching heat and a trip to a mall was a welcome break from our tedious schedule.
We kick-started our day with a refreshing walk to Patauda, our worksite for the day. We were assigned the task of digging three trenches to provide inlets for rain water into the Patauda Lake. In the process, we also got rid of tiny weeds and boulders that were an impediment to the digging.
It is hard to imagine that while we have the luxury of easy access to water for every need, the villagers, and their cattle and animals dwelling in the vicinity of Patauda rely only on the almost dried-up Patauda Lake to satiate their thirst. Any amount of labour for this service worksite would be too little. Unfortunately, we had to wind up the task in about an hour for two reasons. One, we were to leave for Ambience Mall, Gurgaon, for our only ‘day off’ and two, we anticipated a heavy downpour. It was a good decision as no sooner had we boarded the bus than the rain came pelting down.
At the mall, we knew exactly how to spend the next five hours. Movies, ice-skating, video games, feasting on junk food, shopping… take your pick! The hours went fleeting by and we all had a wonderful day off work. Tomorrow is another day and we look forward to contribute much more with all our energy levels restored.
Text: Tarini Gupta, Muskaan Jidge and Rayna Kishanchandani
Grade10, Dhirubhai Ambani International School
Day - 6
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 6
The Round Square Service Project is almost at its close but the enthusiasm and vigour amongst delegates is far from over. It was evident in the hours of dogged labour and the quality of work accomplished.
We went to the Baas Village School in the morning. Pathways World School is closely attached to this school in terms of lending support to its infrastructure and human resource. In recent times, 29 May 2014, Pathways World School installed two laptops in the school thereby lessening the technology handicap faced by the students of Baas.
At the school we painted trees, the boundary wall and bathrooms. Eventually, the transformation was heartening and we were stood in awe of the wonder of the paint brush.
On reaching school, delegates of Genesis Global School and Assam Valley School were called for a feedback session with the School Executive Director, Dr Sarvesh Naidu. The others enjoyed a game of soccer which they had been longing to play.
The post-lunch art session was extended by half an hour to complete the mural pieces. We were successful in completing five small clay murals which will be framed and presented to each school and five large clay murals, which will adorn the buildings of Pathways World School, once they are baked.
In the evening shift, we headed for Primary Boys’ School. An eager news reporter from ‘Friday Gurgaon’ awaited us anxiously. She interviewed delegates from different schools to capture the essence of the programme.
Throughout the evening, we were engaged in hard core physical labour, primarily shovelling sand and small boulders on to small sacks and then carrying them further up to the access road. We also lifted heavy blocks of stones and levelled them for the foundation of the toilets and the area nearby.
It would be hard to disagree that many of us passed out in the bus on our way back to school but the quality of work accomplished has been gratifying and we are happy for yet another day well-lived!
Text: Sagarika Singal and Sparsh Bansal
Grade 11, Pathways World School
Day - 7
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 7
One last day of much physical labour, loads of fun and laughter and huge learning coming our way. It has been thoroughly motivating to work and give something to the community selflessly and without its asking. Kudos to the entire team of Round Square delegates who braved the sweltering heat and worked persistently.
Morning shift, we made way for the Primary Boys’ School one last time. Team leaders divided the chores for the day and every one began afresh. Some gave the last finishing touches to the painted walls and arches while some scrubbed the furniture of the class-rooms. The other two groups engaged in picking up heavy slabs and transferring them on top of the newly-constructed washrooms to provide roof cover.
We reached school by noon and got a refreshing breather while frolicking in the cool water of the swimming pool or sweating it out in the squash courts.
Post-lunch the boys plunged in to an exciting game of soccer while the girls winded up their packing and caught up with some sleep.
Evening again saw us at the Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School. We split ourselves in to two big groups. One group painted all the trees for one last time while the other shovelled sand and carried it on sacks to the exact location where the bathrooms were being constructed for the girls. The weather turned cool and pleasant, thanks to the evening showers.
Even though it had been a week performing tough labour-intensive tasks, the energy levels were through the roof. The quote ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts’ aptly sums up the atmosphere of solidarity in the workplace. The collaborative effort by the student body as well as the members of the faculty helped accomplish the results that we had set out to achieve.
At the close of the day, the students and teachers had a heart-to-heart talk while sharing their experiences and their learning outcomes. It has truly been an enriching and memorable Service Project.
Text – Angad Sodhi and Anirudh Kotha
Grade 11, Pathways World School
Day - 8
ROUND SQUARE COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROJECT 2014 @
PWS -DAY 8
The last wake up call for the morning shift went off at the usual time. The days have gone by so swiftly. Though terribly sleepy, we all boarded the bus on time and headed for Aklimpur. The day ahead had been planned a little differently.
We trekked all the way from Mr Sunil Bhardwaj’s house in Aklimpur to Chandrashekhar Farm. Rocky roads, the call of the peacocks and the mild rays of the early sun complemented the perfect hike. We halted in front of a huge Shiv Murti, the hallmark main attraction of the farm, and then retreated to the bus. Everyone got a chance to spend a few memorable moments together and click some last ‘selfies’!
After breakfast, we assembled in the library for a quick barazza session with the School Executive Director, Dr Sarvesh Naidu. Prior to the group discussions, we reflected on the learning outcomes of the Service Project and how we wish to carry this legacy forward.
An image of a little girl eating out of the left overs at a construction site (probably home for her) riveted our attention almost immediately. We were asked to caption the image and what ensued are soul-stirring responses on how we felt for her.
We then divided ourselves into five groups and had a discussion on the given statement “We are too young to make a difference”. All the groups disagreed with the statement and each came up with a Mission Statement that encapsulated their views.
Some of the key elements that emerged were: each step is significant; it is the intention which counts and not the size of the group; it does not necessarily have to be a large step to be considered significant; determination is the key to make things happen; the leader and his/her team’s collaborative efforts are responsible for the success of any venture.
The conclusion of the barazza session marked the end of the Round Square Collaborative Service Project 2014. In the last few moments everyone was extremely busy exchanging numbers so that we could all stay in touch. Certificates and the mural piece made by each school were handed over to the respective teacher escorts by the Pathways World School Round Square Representative, Mr Sumit Dargan.
The delegates left Pathways with smiles on their faces. We all know that this Service Project has given us more than any of us had expected to gain. It was truly one of the best life-changing experiences for EVERYONE!
Text: Deus Bajaj (Grade 11, Pathways World School)
