10-year-old Tanya’s mission: teach underprivileged children

Smiles light up an entire room of six-year-olds at Maranatha Orphanage at Indira Nagar in Chembur. The children have gathered here for a craft session, and their teacher is more like a peer: 10-year-old Tanya Kamat.

Little Obhade makes the first move; he walks across and extends his hand to Tanya. A quick round of introductions follows, and the other children are equally excited. All they were told by Sister Mary, their caretaker, was that they would be having a very special visitor. Another chirpy, bright and sweet-voiced child in their midst promised to be fun.

More than a friend

Tanya gets down to work. She puts a hula hoop ring around her waist and greets every child. In no time, all the children go around exchanging smiles. Most of Tanya’s classes begin this way, and given that she “teaches” children her age or even younger, they are a riot.

Like any other 10-year-old, Tanya enjoys television, sports and video games. But the Class V student of Lilavatibai Podar School is equally passionate about social change. She often conducts art and craft workshops on weekends. Since January 2015, Tanya has been spending two hours teaching children in the age group of 6 to 16 years at various orphanages, through her association with the non-governmental organisation Social Action and You (SAY). She is also associated with NGO Sona Sarovar Trust, and helps them learn art and craft.

Tanya was always committed to the cause of teaching underprivileged children, says her mother Minouti Kamat, who is also a volunteer with SAY. A casual conversation she had with her husband last year piqued the child’s interest. “I was discussing with my husband how despite generous donations and gifts, we were unable to use the jewellery kits, loom band kits and other art and craft material due to the paucity of teachers. Tanya was overhearing our conversation, and at once expressed her desire to teach. When we saw her determination, we agreed. Since then, Tanya has been leading art workshops.”

Tanya makes her involvement sound effortless. With a gentle smile, she says: “I go there during the weekends as I don’t have school. I have tried to teach them to make simple jewellery out of loom bands. I also read stories and explain it to them in Hindi.” She does not attend art classes, but picks up skills from activities she learns in school. “I like art and craft, so helping others learn it is easy. I am comfortable with the students although some are older. They treat me as their friend and when you are with friends, the class is bound to be fun-filled.”

Little fairy

To the NGOs, she is a little fairy. “Tanya is among those children who make fairy tales real. She has been a regular volunteer with SAY. At such a young age, she is an inspiration for many,” says Sonali Gokani, founder, SAY.

“It is heartening to see that at this age, she is doing her bit for society. I hope more children get encouraged by her,” says Sona Kumar, director, Sona Sarovar Trust.

To Tanya’s students, she is more than a friend. Alkama (14), a child from the Anand Nagar Slum in Andheri, looks forward to her workshops. “Tanya is younger than me. But she is very friendly. Apart from helping us learn art and craft, she also teaches us to read English. We respect her.”

Princy Nirmal, 9, who attended one of Tanya’s workshops on card-making, was happy to have learnt from her. “I enjoyed making cards. I even got a prize!” For six-year-old Glory, Tanya is no less than a celebrity. “Didi is so sweet and talented,”