St. Alberts
My connection with Share A Book India, or SABIA as people fondly call it, goes back to the pandemic when I wrote my first children’s book, The Postwoman and Other Stories. After publishing the book, I wasn’t sure how to reach out to children and share my stories with them. At that time, I didn’t realize that I could visit schools and conduct storytelling sessions. The seeds of this idea were undoubtedly sown during the lockdown, but they only had the chance to bloom and flourish once restrictions were lifted.
I wrote to SABIA and asked if I could do an online session. They were happy to oblige, and I had the opportunity to discuss The Postwoman and Other Stories with the kids. However, I couldn’t continue for long because COVID had finally come to an end and everyone had to return to their usual routines. But I felt like my journey with SABIA wasn’t over yet.
When I eventually moved back to Hyderabad, I reconnected with SABIA, and through them, I was able to visit St. Alberts as a storyteller. This time, I was thrilled to meet the children in person.
As soon as I entered the school, a boy greeted me with a bright smile and asked if I was the author. Before I could say much, he introduced himself and eagerly stuck out his hand for a friendly shake. That was the welcome I received at St. Alberts! The entire school knew I was coming, and the students went out of their way to make me feel special.
At St. Alberts, I realized that children do not need access to fancy facilities or endless resources to have an eagerness for knowledge and learning. The students were genuinely excited to hear my stories, hanging on to every word I said. Their open mindedness and willingness to learn made the interaction even more special. At the end of the session, several students expressed their wish to see me more often.
I was truly amazed by my experience at St. Alberts. It was one of the best storytelling sessions I have ever conducted. The Head of Academics, Ms. Sunita, shared that the students love having guest speakers because they see them as sources of inspiration and role models.
St. Alberts is doing a wonderful job of providing students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, and I am grateful to have been a part of that journey.
