On June 14, I embarked on the journey of exploring the social sector. My first ever field visit was Coolie Camp. I had witnessed childhood countless times before my visit, but never quite like I did at Coolie Camp.
I walked into the centre, scorching heat taking the fun away already, and then my eyes met Pooja’s. A 6-year-old vibrant girl, dressed in a pink princess-like frock, her eyes shone so bright, she was just happy to exist in that space at that moment. No novels or deep conversations had ever made me feel what Pooja’s smile was making me feel as I stood there filled with mirth, losing the thought of how hot the day was.
Looking back at my childhood, I recalled how I was grateful for simple things in life. Youth bought me a lot of gifts at the expense of my innocence. I saw myself in her for a moment and then the grim reality of where we stood hit me like a brick. She chattered like me, liked to express herself, and was a little too energetic for space, just like me; the only difference was, our childhoods being starkly different.
She told me that she often goes back home and does dishes while her pregnant mother sleeps. The idea of a six-year-old doing dishes made me uncomfortable in a weird way. I managed to smile through the conversation while my gut churned. I felt guilty for having the childhood I had and she did not but deserved it. The guilt was not justified but it did exist regardless. I complimented her frock and she said “Haan toh mai aapke liye le aaungi!”, I looked at her with admiration, she barely buys new clothes and yet, is willing to give her fancy ones to me. I realised that I wasn’t her, she was a better human than me at six.
I had not realised the gravity of what Dr. Chopra was trying to achieve through her NGO- Wishes and Blessings until that moment. She was trying to bridge the gap between the likes of Pooja and I. Dr. Chopra’s work is a wholesome response to the unfortunate reality of these children.
I knew that at the end of the day, when I lay in my bed tonight, I would not be the person that walked in here. I was taking a part of this 6-year-old girl home with me. A long-forgotten part of me was handed back to me as this girl stood there, doing her little dance steps, not realising how she had given me the greatest gifts of all.
I managed to tear my eyes away and looked at other children strutting in for lunch. I could spot different personalities right away. Some were talkers and some weren’t. This little girl Naina, who was in 7th grade caught my eye, she was the unannounced leader of her clique, matured for her age, and surprisingly confident for her upbringing, I saw a leader in her, a decision-maker, an opinionated changemaker.
Other children were just as intriguing, some were nerdy and introverted. One of the children mentioned that they love social sciences, I asked them if they’d like to work in the social sector when they grow up, and I received an enthusiastic YES as the answer. I joked about how they were coming for my spot in a few years. The corner of the room erupted with laughter, I laughed with them, and in a long time, I truly did.
I exchanged a couple of good afternoons with the children and then I was notified that it was time to head back already. Walking away felt like leaving home for a strange reason. I turned back to look at the children once again, smiling at Pooja, I promised her another visit and said “Toh fir next time mai aapki frock le kar jaungi”, she nodded with a giggle and we exchanged goodbyes. I knew as I walked away that this day will never leave my memory.
