Chabirani Biswal is a humanities student from a tiny hamlet in Bhadrak district of Odisha. While studying, she had raised hopes to be a teacher. But lack of access to facilities, and family problems, she married early. After marriage, the hope of finding opportunities elsewhere, her dream was dashed by the responsibility of the house.
After her marriage, she learned about the ThinkZone’s EmpowerEducators
programme from her father-in-law, which works to develop children’s learning outcomes from class I to V in schools. In this programme, ThinkZone trains youth and women to help children learn in schools in their respective areas. This programme gave Chabirani a new hope to fulfil her dreams. And she joined the program.
Chabirani participated in training sessions organised by ThinkZone to help students study in the school. She learnt various skills like teaching children, managing a classroom, and communicating with parents and multiple stakeholders. After the training program, she started teaching at a nearby government school. She says, “When I was in school, I was not involved in any activity in the classroom. I was afraid to ask questions, doubts in the classroom. I used to remember the concepts I did not understand by rote learning. But when I went through the training sessions held for us, I learned about activity-based teaching methodology and the importance of a student-centric classroom. The modules in the Thinkzone mobile application also helped me learn that children are best learnt when they ask questions, which is why we need to encourage children to ask questions in class.”
Chabirani’s efforts to engage children with learning activities during the Corona pandemic moved the parents of the learners, and they appreciated her for the effort. Since the students could not come to school during the pandemic, Chabirani contributed to the children’s education through our home-based learning programme, where parents could get the education content weekly through SMS, automatic calls and live calls. The programme helped recover children’s learning loss to a certain extent while schools were closed. 
When schools reopened after two long years and students returned to the school system, they found difficulties adjusting. Through activities, plays, art, and craft, Chabirani made sure to make children adapt to the environment and regain interest in studies. Gradually, children started showing interest as they found learning enjoyable. Chabirani is now helping 31 students teach and facilitate learning at a government school near her village.
“I am grateful to ThinkZone for giving me the opportunity to realise my dream and to create a new identity of my own and the constant support that has made me a good mentor,” says Chabirani Biswal. And I will constantly try to help the children learn with fun and curiosity. ”
Chabrani’s deep affection for children, her desire to make learning fun and her cordial behaviour towards parents have inspired us all.
