Urmila has given up a corporate career to teach the children of migrant workers

Thirty eight year old Urmila has been a teacher at Apna Skool for over three years. Initially, she taught at the Apna Skool Center at the Murari Brick-kiln and later moved on to the Apna Skool Center at Dhamikheda, where she is currently posted. She holds a Masters in Computer Application and a Masters in Computer Science. She has worked on a number of projects in various institutions including IIT Kanpur before she realized she wanted to become a teacher and work with marginalized children.

Though Urmila can earn much more money in other jobs, the satisfaction she gets from teaching the children at the Apna Skool centers is unparalleled and unique. According to her, teaching these kids is a very challenging task but nevertheless a joyful and fulfilling experience. She takes active interest in using the various teaching tools so that the kids can be made to grasp the concepts in a better and a more friendlier way as compared to the conventional rote method of learning.

Urmila has a five-member family. She has a ten-year old daughter.  Her husband is currently unemployed as he recently lost his job. So, she is the only bread earner for the family. She manages to earn around Rs. 5000 per month(about 110 $) by teaching at the Apna Skool and also conducting private tuitions at her home. Inspite of the tough times, Urmila looks forward to serve the society. She is happy that she is playing her part by being a teacher at the Apna Skool. She takes interest in social service and teaching yoga.

She says, “I love playing with children. Whenever there is play-time, I literally become a kid. Additionally, I always try to practice Yoga myself and teach them to the children.”

Thank you, Tom, Phyllis (x2), Susan and James, Felix (x4), Vikram (x2) and Katelyn (x2), for coming together to support Urmila for three months. With  your assistance, she can continue reaching out to children who would otherwise never have access to quality education.