Lessons in the Rain

July arrived with heavy rains that turned most roads muddy. Some visits were postponed, and a few sessions had to be held in smaller groups inside classrooms. Still, the energy stayed the same. The children seemed happier to be back in school, and many talked about their monsoon routines — walking with umbrellas, collecting tamarind, and waiting for the power to come back during evening study time.

We used this quieter month to help teachers reorganize library books and check attendance. A few of us prepared simple math worksheets for Classes 3 and 4, which were tested in one of the schools. The teachers appreciated that we were thinking long-term rather than rushing new programs.

The rain slowed us down, but it also gave us time to notice the small things — the way students helped each other with sums, or how a teacher stayed late to fix a broken cupboard. July reminded us that progress continues even when the pace changes.