Reality Gives Student
Royal City School was Asma’s first teaching experience, and she has been with the school since it began. ‘It was a sudden change in my life. I had always been a housewife before, but I love kids and I wanted to learn something new.’ Before she could start work,
Asma went through a year of training. ‘It was amazing. Not only did I learn to be a teacher but I also learned how to speak English and my confidence grew so much.’ ‘The kids here are very lucky,’ Asma explains. ‘I really believe they’re getting an international standard of education, and the teaching we provide is holistic. We always ask the students what their vision is for the future and what they can do now to help them get there. I really like this forward-thinking approach.’
‘What’s also great for the kids – and for me – is the teacher to student ratio. There are two or three teachers in a class of 40 students so if anyone needs extra help they can get it.’ Asma has been with the school for ten years and views it as a second family. ‘As teachers we are so welcome here,’ she says, ‘everyone is viewed equally and I feel empowered to ask for help if I ever need it. When I come to school I can forget all my other worries or problems and focus on doing a good job.’
Royal City School was Asma’s first teaching experience, and she has been with the school since it began. ‘It was a sudden change in my life. I had always been a housewife before, but I love kids and I wanted to learn something new.’ Before she could start work,
Asma went through a year of training. ‘It was amazing. Not only did I learn to be a teacher but I also learned how to speak English and my confidence grew so much.’ ‘The kids here are very lucky,’ Asma explains. ‘I really believe they’re getting an international standard of education, and the teaching we provide is holistic. We always ask the students what their vision is for the future and what they can do now to help them get there. I really like this forward-thinking approach.’
‘What’s also great for the kids – and for me – is the teacher to student ratio. There are two or three teachers in a class of 40 students so if anyone needs extra help they can get it.’ Asma has been with the school for ten years and views it as a second family. ‘As teachers we are so welcome here,’ she says, ‘everyone is viewed equally and I feel empowered to ask for help if I ever need it. When I come to school I can forget all my other worries or problems and focus on doing a good job.’
Reality Gives Student
Meet Sharda, a student on the Reality Gives Youth Program.
Originally from Karnataka, Sharda moved to Mumbai 15 years ago and lives in the heart of Dharavi with her husband and sons. “I come from a village,” says Sharda, “things are different in Mumbai. City life moves so quickly. It’s hard to keep up when people around you are speaking English. I needed to find a way to understand what was going on.”
“A friend recommended this English class to me,” she explains, “I love learning English – especially in class where we get to read aloud and do drama – that’s probably the most fun part.”
For Sharda, learning English was about more than just getting to know the city around her. “I have two boys at home and their English was much better than mine. I wanted to communicate with them more – now they practice with me so we can all improve together.”
The confidence and skills Sharda is building on the Youth Program have propelled her towards a new career. “I dream of being a teacher”, she says. “I need good English to achieve it. My family have been a great support to me. My sons and husband are proud that I am learning a new skill and that I have plans to build a career of my own. I am looking forward to learning more English and reaching my goal.”
Reality Gives Student
We are a charity providing future generations living in low-income communities with quality education since 2009.
© Copyright 2025 Reality Gives. All Rights Reserved.
We are a charity providing future generations living in low-income communities with quality education since 2009.
© Copyright 2025 Reality Gives. All Rights Reserved.
