“My First Event: From Nervous Newbie to Empowered Educator”

So, I decided to organize a Women’s Day event with a focus on my respective theme – Education. But guess what ? I’d never planned an event before! Talk about starting fresh.

Since the first part of my project is with Spoken English, I knew I wanted to involve the children at Amarathaanoor Middle School, where I run a program. The theme ? “Thank You to the Heroines” – a chance for the kids (grades 1-5) to express gratitude to the women in their lives.

Let me tell you, announcing the competition in English to these little ones, who barely knew the language, was an adventure! But their enthusiasm was infectious. That evening, I was busy planning the banner, budget, and prizes – a long but productive day!

The competition day arrived, and the kids surprised me! They bravely spoke their 4-5 sentence thank you’s, some to their moms, grandmas, sisters, or even teachers. One sweet moment? A little boy thanking me for being kind during a survey. It made me realize that kindness is a strength, not a weakness!

Selecting the top 25 performers for the main event was tough, but everyone got a prize for participating. Next came scripts, practice sessions, and a trip to Salem to buy prizes (books, medals, and stickers). For the first time ever, I bought a book not for myself, but for the children. It felt amazing!

Then came the banner – “Mission Empower” – and a wave of responsibility washed over me. I wanted this event to be impactful and boost the children’s confidence in English. One tiny hurdle? Finding 100 lemons for juice! The weekly market, bustling with people, seemed to have everything but lemons. Finally, after a long search, a kind grandma came to the rescue, counting out all 100 lemons herself!

The final day was all about practice, practice, practice. Watching their dance and song performances, I was blown away by their talent and dedication. These little ones memorized everything and followed my instructions with such sincerity.

Event day arrived, and yes, I was nervous! But everything unfolded perfectly. My colleagues helped set up, and the principal even graced the event as the chief guest.

The entire school community – 192 children and 8 teachers – came together for a program filled with speeches, performances, games, and a group discussion about Women’s Day. It was a celebration of gratitude, empowerment, and talent, showcasing the school’s spirit.

The most amazing takeaway? Seeing how well the children performed in English after just three days of focused learning. It proved that with the right support, the barrier of spoken English can be overcome quickly.

Making History!

This event wasn’t just about celebrating Women’s Day; it was a historic moment for Amaranthanoor Middle School. For the first time ever, the students delivered a full performance in English! Their confidence and enthusiasm were truly inspiring.

The principal was incredibly impressed with the results and the positive impact of the program. He even expressed his desire to see my spoken English module implemented school-wide! This is a huge validation of my work and a testament to the power of education in breaking down language barriers.

As the great Tamil poet Bharathiyar said,

“ஆணும் பெண்ணும் நிகரெனக் கொள்வதால்

அறிவி லோங்கி, இவ் வையம் தழைக்குமாம்”

(If men and women are considered equal, the world will flourish with knowledge). This event solidified that belief for me. By empowering our girls through education and celebrating the incredible women in their lives, we can build a brighter future for all.