The Super-mums of super-girls

“Behind every great daughter is a truly amazing mom.”-anonymous

On my first day as a teacher for the Shakti girls, I encountered a delightful surprise- a number of mothers of the young girls, all smiley yet stern, disciplining the girls. Each day as the daughters gather to learn Indian dances, Taekwondo, Yoga and English, their mothers can be seen in the background, with eyes as eager as the girls.

When asked why they liked coming down to the park, the mothers slyly responded that they felt proud of their daughters and witnessing them hone and sharpen their talents and personalities was a sight they did not wish to miss. They wished they had received these opportunities when they were younger, for they would have loved to see themselves grow as beautifully as their younger versions.

Sarvam and the Shakti project empowers not only the young girls but also these super-mums who try to learn as much as they can while supervising the girls’ classes. An incident that warmed my heart was when I asked a question to the students and could hear a mom whisper the correct answer under her breath. It was then that I knew that everything the girls learn, the mothers also learn from observation, dedication and the will to participate. Upon asking, I discovered that a number of the mothers borrow their kids’ textbooks and try to read and learn English. These mothers had a will, and they most definitely found a way! The mothers have a strong role model figure in Hemangi ma’am, from whom they acquire leadership skills and they are undoubtedly on their way to become strong fierce women.

Furthermore, the mothers have also noticed a pleasant change in their personal lives. They stated that they always looked forward to coming down to the park or accompany the students as it allowed them time away from the hussle-bussle and stress of the household. Staying within 4 walls was very suffocating and every day, they eagerly wait for these 2 or 3 hours to clear their minds and partake in something that they like. On Sundays, as most people rest and enjoy the day, these mothers await Monday and the Sarvam classes. They have also noticed positive behavioral changes in their kids, who have become more obedient and disciplined.