Reality Gives Student
‘I’ve been working as a tour guide for three years now,’ says Simran. ‘I’m lucky because I get to change people’s idea of what a slum is. People never leave the tour with the same perceptions that they had when they signed up.’
Born and brought up in a Mumbai slum herself, Simran worked hard to graduate in psychology. ‘My studies have actually helped me a lot with my tour guiding,’ she explains. ‘I know how to read people and how to communicate with them to give them the tour experience they want.’
But communicating wasn’t always so easy for Simran. ‘I had a lot of problems learning English growing up,’ she says, ‘but then I found the Reality Gives Youth Program. The way they teach is awesome, it’s like playing as well as learning.’ She even admits that her favourite part of class was the homework…
Now Simran speaks English every day as part of her work with Reality Gives. ‘I feel so proud to speak English,’ she smiles, ‘I’ve got more confidence these days and I am better at making decisions. I know my family are proud of me too. I feel like I’m making an impact with the work that I do.’
‘I’ve been working as a tour guide for three years now,’ says Simran. ‘I’m lucky because I get to change people’s idea of what a slum is. People never leave the tour with the same perceptions that they had when they signed up.’
Born and brought up in a Mumbai slum herself, Simran worked hard to graduate in psychology. ‘My studies have actually helped me a lot with my tour guiding,’ she explains. ‘I know how to read people and how to communicate with them to give them the tour experience they want.’
But communicating wasn’t always so easy for Simran. ‘I had a lot of problems learning English growing up,’ she says, ‘but then I found the Reality Gives Youth Program. The way they teach is awesome, it’s like playing as well as learning.’ She even admits that her favourite part of class was the homework…
Now Simran speaks English every day as part of her work with Reality Gives. ‘I feel so proud to speak English,’ she smiles, ‘I’ve got more confidence these days and I am better at making decisions. I know my family are proud of me too. I feel like I’m making an impact with the work that I do.’
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.
