To be Motivated

Art starts conversations, influences thought, and creates new perspectives in all aspects of life. It is a subject that explores creativity, courage, open-mindedness, and perseverance. During the Summer of 2019, I spent my time volunteering at the “Children’s Garden Home: Rescue and Rehabilitation Center” in a slum area in Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya. The home was a school by day and orphanage by night, and I vividly recall my first visit, where the young, innocent toddlers bombarded me with tight hugs and smiles. Moments like those are cherished for time immemorial, where the children’s unconditional love and affection had a butterfly ripple effect. The home needed more teachers, and they could not afford to pay new teachers due to financial constraints. I decided to volunteer my time daily to teach the kindergarten class basic art lessons where we discussed the beauty of rainbows, shapes, and different colors.

The classrooms were made of tin shelters and wood logs for stability, with a few plastic chairs and desks and a black chalkboard inside. During my time at the orphanage, I taught the children by drawing shapes and elementary school-level art basics on the chalkboard. I then gave each of the children mini note pads and coloring pencils. The best part of this process was witnessing their faces light up and become ecstatic as they engaged with the new classroom materials. Even though the children were roughly aged between three to six years and spent their time scribbling and chatting away, what struck out to me the most was their eagerness to learn. The genuine curiosity and motivation to learn that some children showcased was truly inspirational; they were willing to know about the core and origins of color and rainbows, which is often not seen with children that young. We spent time chit-chatting about our favorite colors, flowers, and shapes, but most of all, from this experience, I was humbled by the notion and the power and intensity of education. I am forever grateful that I taught them, and in return, they taught me how to instill a different facet of color in their lives.

- Anokhi Dodhia

Pictures of my time that I spent with the children at the Children’s Garden Home: Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Nairobi, Kenya.