Ashish Yadav gets his A

(Most conversations took place in hindi and have been Translated to English) 

The first day I met Ashish Yadav was during the AXF Andheri East Summer Camp Registrations. He came along with his parents and sister and I told his mother, “What lovely eyes your son has !” She replied, “Do not be fooled by his innocent eyes, he looks small and harmless but he takes the entire house on his head when he wants to. He refuses to study and hasn't even got his ABC’s right. I have given up even asking him to hold a pencil at home !” I smiled and told her to leave it up to us now; in my head I was just hoping I wouldn't disappoint her.

When the summer camp started we figured out that Ashish was really confused when it came to his ABC’s ... gosh this 8 year old couldn’t spell or write or even recognize his name !!! About a week into the summer camp Ashish starting creating havoc ! Running around, fighting with his siblings and the other students; but we didn’t give up on him.

Realizing his interest was origami we worked a bit more on his interest and told him to sign his name on his handiwork, he did, in Hindi. We let him write it in Hindi not saying a word; we just signed his name in English below.

Yesterday, the 8th of May 2014, in the midst hustle and bustle of event preparations for the Angel Xpress Foundation meet and greet,  Ashish came up to me very excited and said, “ Teacher look at this !” I looked at two pieces of paper in his hand and realized it was the origami bird beak I taught him to make.

I said, “Wow Ashish! It’s even better than mine !”

Ashish replied, “No teacher, that’s not what I came to show you, look I wrote my name in English all by myself! I know how to write it now, are you happy?”

I grabbed the paper from his hand and checked... YES !!!!!!!!  He got it !!!!!

I gave him a tight hug and told him he made me feel very proud and that he made my day ! :D

*proud mumma wala feeling*

Three cheers for the #AXFAndheriEast volunteers !