Double Double This That By Kira Rogers

Double Double This That

 

Every day when we make the UNREAL bus ride up the windy roads to our school we walk into the school to all the little kids practicing “double this, double that, double double this that” then the minute they can they run to the teens wanting to do it with them faster and faster. These kids are truly magical. Their smiles, bright eyes and beautiful souls are the core of why India is so captivating, It’s in the people, the colors and energy of this country. India truly is renewing. India reminds me to live in the moment and to find joy in relationships, laughter, and looking beyond myself.

 

As I observe the teens and the kids interact I’m reminded that even though we don’t speak the same language as these children at the schools there is so much said in a smile or a hug. These teens are amazing! To sacrifice their time and come to country so different from their own and work every day helping these kids is truly inspirational. They’ve been able to experience all the ups and down of India along with learning to adapt to changing situations, unexpected opportunities (like attending an Indian wedding), and learning to navigate through language and cultural barriers.

 

As I said before these teens are amazing with these little kids. I don’t think they stop smiling the whole time they are at the schools. Lili is so good at keeping he kids focused and pushing them academically. She makes sure they know the words and doesn’t let them slack off. It’s pretty awesome. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen happened today-Lili somehow organized the kids into a line in order to get a jelly bean. Let me just paint the picture of what usually happens when food is involved-especially sweet food. These kids go CRAZY! They love candy and tend to crowd whoever has it. Well Lili had them in a line and was giving them a jelly bean one by one. It was definitely an impressive feat.

 

Cute Grace is so much fun and she looooooooves those kids and they love her right back. She has such a light about her when she interacts with those little kids. She gets right on their level and can make anyone of them smile and laugh. She has quite the group of admirers that like to follow her around, hold her hand and love to be picked up.

 

If I were to describe Mckell in one word it would be fun. She has so much fun with those kids and they love it. She uses every minute to be around those kids playing with them, dancing with them and teaching them all sorts of moves. She truly treasures every moment and makes EVERY lesson fun for these kids.

 

Calvin was our team lead today and did an amazing job helping the kids with eye exams and keeping everything organized. He has a group of three boys that love him! They like to stand by him and when he was teaching math the other day they loved doing the times tables and things got veeeery competitive. It was so fun to watch! He’s awesome!

 

Owen is so sweet and the kids absolutely adore him. He’s not afraid to get on their level and be silly with them. Every time he reads his book at the beginning of his lesson they are captivated. Even though they’ve heard the book everyday Owen is so good at being animated and keeping the kids involved they get so excited! He’s also become to most picked on “goose” in duck duck goose.

 

Bentley is all about making sure those kids have so much fun. He moves with them, spins them around and the kids LOVE him. Today he was teaching about movement and he had those kids dancing and laughing and smiling the whole time. It was so fun to watch.

 

Overall the experience so far has been nothing short of amazing. We have amazing cooks, leaders, drivers, and amazing translators. We are so blessed to be here and be taken care of in such an amazing way which allows us to enjoy this country to the fullest.