Volunteering in Kolkata - Part 3

Parents in Kolkata 

November began in a wonderful way, with my parents coming to visit. It felt special being able to show them where I live, introduce them to the children, and give them a glimpse of what life looks like at Future Hope. One evening stood out particularly when having dinner with the younger boys in the boarding house, which no doubt was the highlight of my parents' week and possibly year! Being with the boys has become a very grounding experience especially on days where I feel overwhelmed. Time with them always seems to brighten things up. 

We then briefly visited Jaipur, Agra, Ranthambore and Delhi - an opportunity to discover another few parts of this vast, colourful and historically rich country. A few days of wildlife, red-stone palaces and endless cups of chai, I returned to Kolkata and settled back into school life. Perhaps slightly biased but Kolkata remains my favourite part. It was great to be back home! 

Back to Routine 

Upon getting back to work at Future Hope, my mornings are now spent in the Resource Room, supporting a handful of students with complex learning needs who work best with patient, personalised 1:1 guidance. Teaching them has made me think a lot about learning itself. It's been fascinating to see how differently each child interprets information, and how a multi-sensory approach often works better than traditional teaching/rote learning. 

It's pushed my interest in neuroscience from theory to something much more tangible and personal and has made me genuinely excited to get back to the UK, in September, to get stuck into studying neuroscience. 

Once a week we get to escape the classroom and head to Rajarhat - a large plot the school uses for farming and sport. Gardening and sports with the students has been lovely way to spend time with them outdoors in a more relaxed, non-academic environment. 

Much of my recent work in the resource room has also been preparing for the school Mela - a big celebration with food stalls, performances, students, alumni and parents. The rehearsals were challenging and we did have a nerve-racking run-through the day before the event which left everyone slightly doubtful but my students pulled through beautifully in the end. I also led the Future Hope band in preparing a couple of Western songs, and seeing them perform confidently on stage was incredibly rewarding. 

Music and cooking 

Music continues to make up a significant part of my life here and is what takes up most afternoons at school. My piano students continue to surprise me. Most can now play songs and read chord diagrams independently. One student even composed his own song after I (reluctantly) asked him to leave the room so I could teach the next student. He later said, "I got angry so l wrote a song to show that I don't need you and can make a better one." It sounds harsh on paper, but it was said jokingly and seeing irritation transform into creativity was both heart-warming and that my somewhat amateurish efforts are perhaps getting results. 

I recently attended a jazz concert and met a renowned pianist whose playing was incredibly inspiring. I approached him afterwards and am now taking lessons with him - this has certainly enriched my passion for jazz and pushed me to take it more seriously again. I also helped out at a jazz workshop for girls in another school - accompanying two passionate Future Hope students. The programme aims to address the gender imbalance in jazz, where women remain significantly under-represented. It was wonderful to watch confidence grow over the session and then back at school. Subsequently, I decided to take them, along with a few girls from the boarding homes, to enjoy a live jazz festival. 

None had ever listened to jazz before, so watching them experience it for the first time felt very special. 

Cooking has also woven itself into my routine here. The younger boys are obsessed with chicken - they get it once a week and speak of it as if it were sacred, arguing over who will eat my portion. One Sunday I decided to cook a chicken curry with them for the entire house (around 35 people). It was loud, messy, slightly chaotic, but very funny. I've been cooking more on my own too, took a class with my parents, and even squeezed in another while briefly escaping abroad to renew my visa requirements - went to Thailand for a few days as an early Christmas treat. 

Christmas Break & Closing Thoughts 

After returning to Kolkata to finish off the winter term I took some Christmas holiday. Sophie has come out to visit and has now been introduced to the school, the children, and life over here - which has been very special to share. We’ve cooked a lot and enjoyed joining the sociable running group, the Hash Harriers. I got stuck into the Khelo Rugby's winter camp in Kolkata - nearly 2,000 children turning up for rugby sessions during their holidays. We also travelled back to the remote village visited earlier in the year to support their rugby camp too, where we were greeted with lots of familiar faces and the same warm hospitality. 

Sophie and I then dashed up to Darjeeling for a few days. The tea gardens, the hills, and the chilly weather were another eye-opening change - quiet, calm, and very much needed after a full-on term down in Kolkata. 

Looking back on these first few months, I've realised how many meaningful things have come from simply being open and saying yes to new experiences, stepping outside my comfort zone, and allowing life here to unfold. With a little common sense, those unexpected moments have become some of the most valuable of all. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support - it is what makes this journey possible. And if you ever happen to be in this part of the world, come stay and visit this extraordinary group of wonderful students and dedicated staff. 

Much love, a belated happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all! 

Emil