Blog

28 Apr 2016

[Interview] What Brought The Director of Studies From a Renowned London Language School To Dharavi?

In the middle of this month we welcomed Jessica Conway to Dharavi, where she will be working closely with our Educational Programs Director, Jonny Clarke, on our English Teacher Training program. This three week course, started on the 25th April and aims to prepare teachers to deliver our English curriculum to people living and working in Dharavi. A really exciting (and busy) time! Nonetheless, Jess found 10 minutes to sit down and tell us about why …

in Our Volunteers, Teacher Training

14 Mar 2016

[Interview] How a Recent YEP Graduate’s Trip to a Rural Village Changed The Way They Think About Dharavi and Inspired Change

Recently, Kaveri and Hasnain, two graduates from our Youth Empowerment Program joined youth from the French NGO Global Potential for a four day leadership course in our partner village, Chinchoti. Global Potential is an 18 month leadership and entrepreneurship program for youth from underserved communities. A key aspect of their program is a 45 day service-learning project in a rural village. During the month and a half immersion, program participants learn from local youth and …

in Youth Empowerment Program

11 Jan 2016

Looking Ahead – Our Hopes For 2016

Having ended 2015 with the release of our Annual Report, looking back on a year where we extended our reach to have positively impacted the lives of over 6,000 people in the communities we serve in Dharavi, January now feels a fitting time to look ahead. We caught up with a whole host of staff and beneficiaries and asked them all one thing, ‘what are your hopes and dreams for …

in Our Staff

07 Oct 2015

Why I Quit My Job As A Fashion Journalist To Volunteer In A Slum

When I left Paris a few months back, I only had a vague idea of what Dharavi would look like. I imagined a very dense area where thousands, millions of people lived in precarious accommodation. I thought that the streets would all be dodgy alleyways leading from one home to another. Even though I knew I was going to work in one of the biggest slum in Asia, I had no idea how big it …

in Our Volunteers

07 Sep 2015

[Interview] “I Learn A Lot From The Kids – Probably More Than I Teach Them!”

After studying at the Yoga Institute in Mumbai, Shraddha became a teacher and has been inspiring apprentice yogis for over 2 years now. She recently decided to share her wisdom with young beneficiaries from Dharavi through weekly yoga classes in one of our community centres. After one of those classes, we sat down to discuss her job, her new students and what yoga can bring to your life.

in Our Volunteers, Workshops & Activities

02 Aug 2015

[Interview] “India Is Going To Exceed Your Expectations!”

Last month, Reality had a small party to say ‘farewell’ to Eloïse, a volunteer from France, who has travelled around India and Asia extensively and spent several months with us here in Dharavi. After indulging in a delicious chocolate cake, some of which we managed to get on her face (an Indian tradition, not an accident!), we had a chat about her volunteering experience with us in Mumbai.

in Our Volunteers

13 Jul 2015

[Interview] “It Is A New Life, I Made New Friends And I Got A New Chance Here”

Vijaya Kumari, 33, is a recent graduate of our Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). As a mother of three and having only had the opportunity to study until 8th Standard, we sat down with Viji to understand some of the story which led her to enroll. Viji’s journey with Reality began when her daughter saw a pamphlet (distributed by Reality staff amongst the communities we serve in Dharavi). Her daughter convinced her to enroll, telling her …

in Youth Empowerment Program

19 Jun 2015

Royal City School Opens It’s Doors For a New School Year

Last Monday schools across the country opened their doors and welcomed back students from their summer holidays. Over at Royal City School, it was no different. With four new teachers joining the staff (more on them later), there was a palpable sense of expectation and excitement in the air at the school. We were struck by the (what must be universal) nostalgia about the promise of a new, unblemished textbook, a brand new pencil …

in School Support Program

08 May 2015

“We are all together with friendship” – The Cricket Season Ends in Style

Whilst the core of Reality Gives’ work focuses on core educational programs, we augment these with a number of other activities run through our community centre to give local children the opportunity to explore their creative side, to develop a skill or hobby, and, essentially, to have a childhood. One of these activities is cricket.

in Dharavi Cricket Academy, Our Programs

02 Apr 2015

“Of course we will win. I’m the player of the month!”

Their interest in cricket piqued by the recent World cup, newly arrived volunteers Lydia and Eloise paid a visit to Indian Gymkhana, Matunga – home of Dharavi Cricket Academy. Here’s what they found.

in Dharavi Cricket Academy