I am currently co-oping at Mitraniketan, a school in the small but busy village of Vellanad in Trivandrum. Mitraniketan is an organization working to “break the cycle of poverty, exploitation, and lack of opportunities”(Mitraniketan). At the heart of Mitraniketan is the school serving children from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, there is a People’s College teaching agriculture, and the Rural Technology Center, as well as various other projects. I am predominantly involved in these two.
Slowe, Axel. Photograph of Morning Assembly
Every morning, I attend the morning assembly, which is self led by the children. They read the news, sing songs, and often the director, Sethu, addresses various issues and talks them through with the children. Because Mitraniketan is a live-in school, and the children are away from their families, Sethu takes on the role of a mother figure to many. Following assembly, I begin my day.
Slowe, Axel. Photograph with the 3rd Year Students of the People’s College
Three days a week in the mornings, I help teach the English class at the People’s College. The lessons are focused on conversational and spoken English, with the goal of increasing the students’ comprehension, grammar, pronunciation, and confidence with speaking. Besides me, there was a nice couple from the U.K. that taught the class, giving me the opportunity to first work more individually with the students before taking over the class entirely.
Slowe, Axel. Photograph with Head Carpenter Gokulan
When I am not in these classes, I am in the carpentry workshop making various things, and helping the children that come every Saturday. Most recently, I have been making bookends for the school’s library. I have been learning a lot from the head carpenter as I apply my skills, old and new, towards working on my various projects.
Slowe, Axel. Photograph of Bookend
I am incredibly proud to be volunteering at such an amazing place and contributing even a small amount to Mitraniketan’s mission and its legacy. I am happy I can help the students at the People’s College in their education, and I hope my teaching will help them succeed. With each thing I make in the carpentry workshop, my goal is for it to be used, and help Mitraniketan. I consider the purpose of what I make, and try to accomplish that through my creation. This is exactly what I want to learn to do better through my education.
Slowe, Axel. Photograph taken of the Festival Shivratri
I am gaining practical experience designing and creating things in the workshop. I am getting better at communicating and learning more about the culture in the English classes I teach, as well as outside, as I experience the many facets of Keralan life. Most valuably, I am gaining perspective. So much is different here in India, and I am learning so much in everything I do. I am incredibly grateful to be able to learn about the culture, the society, and the many people here in Kerala.
Mitraniketan, www.mitraniketan.org/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Sharma, Mahima. “Mahashivratri 2025: When Is Maha Shivratri? Know Exact Date and Significance.” The Times of India, TOI, 1 Feb. 2025, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/mahashivratri-2025-when-is-maha-shivratri-know-exact-date-and-significance/articleshow/117680833.cms.
