An email we received from Tatiana Strelnik after her stay as a volunteer at Shikshangram 25 April 2014
Hi Shazar,
Good to hear from you! We had a wonderful time at Shikshangram! Although it was short, we enjoyed every minute of it. Everybody was very kind and welcoming and we were pleasantly surprised at the hospitality extended to us.
Like you have mentioned, the experience was very different to what we thought we would have. And much of the ‘doing’ that we are used to in the West is, in fact, irrelevant and unnecessary at the shelter. We ended up teaching English classes to kids and attending all the other activities throughout the day together with children. We learned dancing and martial arts and took part in drawing classes. We really enjoyed it and I think kids did too! They are all very friendly and genuine and have welcomed us with open hearts. I hope we have all formed some long lasting relationships and we are looking forward to coming back in the next years with a group of volunteers. I think kids enjoy having visitors around and if there are more of us at the same time, it is all the better.
Thank you very much for all your help and I would like to keep in touch with you.
Warmest regards,
Tatiana
