Final Impression, January 2009
Ms. Carolina Pinasco


One month was time enough to understand how Sambhali Project works. I have to say that there is a different environment in this place. Not only because of the nice couple, Govind and Mukta, but for all the people and pets that are part of this wonderful Guest house.

Everything is given to have a peaceful rest. That’s maybe why all guests arrive to the house and they usually decide to stay longer.

2 dogs, Ayush a 3-year old clever kid, and a couple of birds, are the perfect scenario to spend your time in this place and not even notice about it.
As soon as Govind told me about the Sambhali Project, I knew that it was going to be a good experience. It is difficult to have a bad time in such an amazing place.

But, my expectations were overcome. When I helped Elisa teaching for the first time I suddenly knew that I should stay longer. And as the week was passing I decided to stay for a while. It was funny that while I was thinking about the idea of staying Elisa told me one that… it would be so nice if you could stay longer.

Teaching is one of my favorite activities, teaching English is even more enjoyable and teaching English for these “untouchable” girls was really my challenge. What better made me feel was their thankful words after every lesson given, lots of words of thanking.

The girls are really focused in learning and you can notice the effort they make to improve their knowledge. The first thing we did at the beginning was dividing the class in 2 groups. Beginners and advanced lessons.

For some reason I was more dedicated in the less advanced group. I really found it hard to teach English to girls that maybe were not able to learn even in their own language.

The challenge was even bigger but then the satisfaction of watching how the girls improve their level is a deep sensation I cant describe.

I was really attracted to a 14 year old girl, Ravina.. When she arrived she didn’t even know how to say her name in English. Completely shy and introverted, for some reason, I decided to focus on her. Tamana, the Hindi teacher told me she didn’t know how to read in her own language, that’s why I made all my efforts to make Ravina learn English and be integrated to the class. Finally, after a month, Ravina smiles, she can answer questions in English and she is not embarrassed to go to the white board and do the exercises. She was my challenge and so, all the girls of the beginner’s course.

On the other hand, the advanced course is easier to teach. The girls are pretty able to have a conversation and tell you about their lives. In same cases they are older and more developed and used to communicate with other foreigners.
With this girls, the relation is different because you can share more experiences and feelings, thoughts and ideas.

It is always easier and you always have the impression that they learn faster. Also, the girls are really motivated and enjoy the lessons. Apart from the English lessons the girls take sewing classes that prepare them to face the world and develop by themselves. One of the aims of the project is that the girls could ever make their own clothes and open their shop or they could work in a shop.

Some days the girls were learning how to dance, they have a special teacher, Govinds cousin, that comes to the guest house and spend hours teaching them.
They seem to be excited with the idea of dancing and preparing a show.
In general the girls always look pretty happy and it seems as if they enjoy their lives. I was impressed by the way they help each other, show feelings for their friends and support. If you ask something to someone that can't answer, immediately all the other girls manage to help her.

I should say that Govind and his wife Mukta are very nice people and generate good energy between the girls and the guests. In my opinion, the project is growing and for sure it will be improving more and more.

If I had to suggest something I would say that it good be good to follow a structure in the English teaching. Maybe following a book makes the teaching easier especially for the girls. But, apart from this, that is a small detail, in my opinion, I think the project is moving forward and what is being done is really useful for the girls.

So, according to my experience, Sambhali Project overcomes my expectations and I take with me a huge learning.