It's a bit like a conversation with the instruments and energy.
~ words from Sajid that keep us thinking and wondering ~
Not hers. Not yours. People are always more than the chapters anyone could share. Hold what is here gently. Approach with curiosity, before judgment.
Notice what you notice. Wonder what you wonder. There is no quiz, no right way. Read until something stays.
this film has no words. notice what you notice. notice what you wonder. wonder out loud. and don't forget to notice what you feel, too.
Bridging The Empathy Gap
Have you ever wondered where the rubbish you throw out goes? I live in the community of Dharavi, one of the biggest recycling hubs in India and one of the biggest waste and recycling hubs in Asia too! Waste from Mumbai, throughout India, and even from around the world comes here. So you can imagine we have a lot of it. Bags and bags and bags of it. Car batteries, computer parts, lights, ballpoint pens, plastic bags, paper and cardboard boxes, wire hangers -- all kinds of waste. When I was younger, many of my friends and I decided to become what many people call “ragpickers”. We buy bags of rubbish, sort out the different types of wastes and plastics that can be recycled, and then we sell it off again.
Every morning around 9am I duck out of my house, weave through the gullies, and head to work. I begin my day by walking down to a compound to purchase a big bag of rubbish. The whole compound is full of life. There are people sorting through masses of plastics, bottles, electronics, people dying clothes, melting metals, packing soaps, transporting wastes, and also a few people sitting around drinking chai. We love our chai (tea) here. I usually give about 700 rupees (INR) everyday and get about 500kg of garbage. I then carry this out to the lands by the roadside and begin sorting it out. I separate the plastic from the rest of the waste and sort this into 5 main groups. The first is called “fuga”, a thin plastic that is my favorite. We actually drink our chai from fuga. The second type is a hard black plastic called “kadaj”. The other 3 are nylon, silicon, and derlin. By the end of the day I usually have about 50kg of plastic separated which I then resell.
During the day I always take a few chai breaks. I don’t make a whole lot of money and have to be careful how I spend every rupee. But if there is one thing I don’t think twice about, it’s chai. There is a chai stall just across the road. I can’t count the number of times a day I head over to pick up some chai so I can enjoy a cup with the others who work with me. Well, actually, I think I can count the average.
Separating wastes and plastic also has many challenges. I often get backaches from sitting and separating wastes for so many hours each day. A lot of the rubbish is sharp and I also get cuts and wounds from time to time. The team at Acorn Foundation has provided us some training and helped make this work a bit safer. It’s not an easy job but I am grateful to have this work.
When I am older, I want to work in the textile business. I really like the process of getting materials, dying them, and selling them again. I know a bit about this work and am very interested in it. More than this though, I love drumming the most. If I ever had the opportunity, I would love to pursue a career in music and drumming. Since starting with Dharavi Rocks, I’ve realized this really is a big passion of mine.
There is an awesome lesson plan coming soon for this specific story. In the meantime, check out Bridging The Empathy Gap ! It's a lesson plan we've designed to work well with any of the stories!
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →The Empathy Gap
I love music. When I was younger my friends and I used to make music on the roadside. We used to create beats on any and all rubbish we found lying around. One day someone came to the Acorn Foundation Centre where I sometimes go for math and English classes and asked me if I wanted to learn music. I jumped at the opportunity. We began having drumming classes after our math and English classes. At first I used to bunk the classes every now and then to hang out with my friends.
But over time I began to love it more and more. Now most of my friends, including my best friend Afsar, come to the classes. Our teacher Abhijit Sir always tells us the math and English classes are very important. And if we want to attend the drum classes we have to first attend the others. Drumming is more fun, but I know it is important I go to the other classes also.
Why do you think it is important for me to attend math and English classes?
Why is education important?
What are you learning in your math class?
Can you practice this math and share it with me?
I’ve learned teaching is a really great form of learning -- we do this with our music practices too.
What are you learning in reading and writing?
Can you teach me this as well?
What about in science?
We quickly formed a band made up of everyone in our class. Our band is called Dharavi Rocks! There are about 10-15 of us who form the core of the group, but another 20-30 people also come and join us sometimes. All of us are from the Dharavi area and spend our days in different ways. Some members sort plastic and recycle it like me. My friend Afsar makes furniture. Shah Rukh buys and sells vegetables. And many people like Latif and Minaz attend school.
Some of us can’t go to school during the day and need to work.
Is that up to me?
Why do you think this is the case?
What are some of the challenges that I might face because of this?
How could I overcome these?
What can we all do to help address these challenges?
I love playing the drums. When I play I often get totally absorbed in the music. Abhijit Sir asks us to feel the beat -- to let the rhythm guide us. In no time I find my hands flying away with the beat no matter what my day was like. Taka dhimi taka dhimi taka dhimi taka dhimi. Two of my friends play the bass drum and hold the beat for the rest of us. Many of us play different complementary beats over the top with some of the boys even improvising. Latif brings in a nice chime on the bottle and Minaz adds another layer to it with the shaker. Each person has their own unique beats and sounds and it is always amazing to see the sounds build upon each other. The feeling of everything being in sync and in harmony is amazing.
There is a lot of math involved in drumming. I’d love to get your help in coming up with different drum patterns I could use. In most of our performances we have a “jugal bandi”. This is when half of us perform a certain beat and then the other half respond with a different beat. It’s a bit like a conversation with the instruments and energy. If our side has 8 beats to fill and can use sets of 1, 2, 3, or 4-beat patterns, what are the different ways we could fill up the 8 beats? What are the factors of 8? What if we have 6 beats to fill? What are the factors?
If I have 3, 4, and 6 beat drum patterns, what are the different beat lengths I could play? (What are the multiples of these numbers?) What is the lowest number of beats that I could play that can use combinations of these patterns? (What is the lowest common multiple?)
We never bought a single drum. Everything we use we made ourselves. I previously didn’t know that was possible, but most of the drums are large plastic barrels that we found in the garbage. We cleaned these and turned them into drums. We fill small containers or bottles with sand or rice to make shakers. And or course Latif’s chime is from an old glass bottle. Abhijit Sir is always reminding us of the motto here. “Reduce. Recycle. Reuse. Respect.” Beyond our drums being a form of recycling and reusing, Sir always asks us to think of other ways we can live by this philosophy.
What does it mean to reduce?
To recycle?
To reuse?
To respect?
How do you live by these various principles in your own life?
Do you strive to?
How might we hold ourselves accountable to becoming more effective in each big “R”?
One of the best parts of being in Dharavi Rocks is performing. I love being on stage in front of the crowd. At first I was very shy, but now it is the part I look forward to most. I love creating that energy with the audience. To bring them on the journey. We have performed to all kinds of groups: children, families, business leaders, at festivals, conferences and schools. We’ve even collaborated with incredible artists from India and around the world!
Being a part of the band has given me the chance to travel and perform in places I never imagined going to. Goa, Ahemedabad, and even Delhi. Being a part of the band has also helped me become more confident. It has helped me bond with people in my community and make new friends. And more than anything it has grown my love and passion for music and drumming.
If I had the chance to, I would pursue a career in music.
What do you think might be some of the challenges in pursuing this career?
How can I overcome them?
What are your passions?
What are some of the things you love to do?
How have these things helped you grow as a person in the way drumming has helped me?
There is an awesome lesson plan coming soon for this specific story. In the meantime, check out Bridging The Empathy Gap ! It's a lesson plan we've designed to work well with any of the stories!
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →Life In Dharavi
Music, football, carom board, and hanging out with friends are some of my favorite things to do. I am Sajid. I am 17 years old and live with more than a million other people in the community of Dharavi in Mumbai. What an incredible place. The community is known as the recycling capital of India, though beyond this there are people involved in many businesses: textiles, pottery, craft, garments, and leather to name a few. There are even families that make something like 3 million idlis (rice cakes) every day that feed most of Mumbai. If you ever see anyone biking around with idlis, they might have come from Dharavi in the morning. There are a lot of us living at home: my mother, grandmother, grandmother’s sister, two elder brothers, as well as my brother’s wife and two young babies. My father is no longer with us, so my brothers and I work hard to support our family. Some of my friends are able to attend school, but I know it was important for me to work and help support the home.
Our home is of a standard size for Dharavi. We have one room that is about 3m x 3.5m. Can we both practice our math by using this home as an example? Can you tell me what the perimeter of our home is? What about the area? What is the area per person? We have one bed that is about 1.5m x 2m. How much area does the bed take? How much area do we have left for everything else in our home? What would you put in that home if you had that space? What is the perimeter and area of your home? Is it different? Why is this? (And if you want a tougher challenge, let’s figure out how to optimize this space using math!)
We don't have a toilet or running water in our home. There are a few public standpipes and water is released for a couple of hours each day from these. There are some shared public toilets but these are very dirty and sometimes broken. Many people choose not to use the toilet and defecate on the street side, bridge, or in the nearby river instead.
Do you know about some of the challenges of not having access to good toilets?
What are the risks of human waste being on the street and in the river?
Do you have any suggestions on what I can do about this?
What could you do?
How can we improve this situation?
Does it need improving?
Is anyone doing anything about this challenge?
Who?
How?
I have a standard routine for each day. Every morning I wake up around 7, wash my face, leave the house to have some breakfast, and head to work around 9. I spend my early morning buying waste and then begin sorting out different plastics to sell it again. In the evening I sometimes go to math and English classes and then to drumming class with our band, Dharavi Rocks. I also like to hang out with my friends. We play carom (a game similar to billiards but using hands and flat pieces), football, and cricket. Carom is a lot of fun and with practice I have been getting pretty good. There is a lot of math involved in it too. Only when the force and angle is right will the pieces go into the hole.
Can you help me practice my math through carom? When I rebound a piece off the back wall, it usually comes back at an angle smaller than 45 degrees. Can you tell me the name of this type of angle? If I hit a piece in the middle and it goes into the far left hole, the angle it travels at is usually between 180 -270 degrees. Can you tell me the name of this angle? (Can you draw a carom board (square) with pieces scattered on it and then identify different angles between pieces on the board?) Do you recognize how much math is involved in the games you play? What kind of math? How so? Would you like to practice your math while you play the games you like?
There is an awesome lesson plan coming soon for this specific story. In the meantime, check out Write Your Own Learning Journey ! It's a lesson plan we've designed to work well with any of the stories!
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →What Is Leadership?
Growing up, one of my biggest passions has been music. I’ve never been formally trained but over the years I have picked up the guitar, drums, and have started singing. I’ve been a part of various bands, and I absolutely love to perform. One night after my band had performed I was approached and asked if I would be interested in teaching music to kids from Dharavi. “Why not?” My father had always inspired me to do community service, and I thought this could be a great way to use my experience in music to contribute to society. My name? Abhijit. Or as my students call me, Abhijit Sir: former marketing professional turned educator and musician living in the city of Mumbai.
My father inspired me to take part in community service.
I decided to combine my love for music with community service through teaching kids music.
Do you take part in any community service activities?
Is it important to?
Why or why not?
What have you done?
What could you do in your own community?
What does service mean to you?
When I met all the kids for the first time in the Xavier College classroom, I was at a loss for words. I listened to the kids share their stories, their talents, and their dreams, and at that point decided to commit fully to them. I decided to put in every effort to create a platform for these kids to develop their character, grow in confidence, and foster their talents in music.
There is one kid who has always stood out to me. He goes by the name of Sajid. When he first joined the group he was so shy. He lacked confidence. He was one of the kids that used to sit at the back and observe the others during class. Outside of class he was bubbly and popular amongst his friends; during class was a whole new story. He showed little interest and I don’t think he felt like he could really contribute. This went on for some time until we hit a turning point about 2 years ago. Our group was performing the song “Hum Hange Kaniya” and Sajid was the only member of the group who was familiar with the song. He stepped up to the front of the stage to sing and lead the song. It was a big step for him and the first step on a journey in which we have seen him grow and transform in many ways.
Sajid put himself out of his comfort zone when he stepped up to lead the song.
This was a big step in helping him grow as person.
Have you put yourself out of your comfort zone in the past?
Tried something new?
How?
How could you step comfortably into the unknown?
I believe Sajid has a lot of leadership potential. I don’t know if he sees or realizes this in himself, but it’s clear to me. If he takes interest in anything, he’ll thrive. That boy could easily be an incredible tour guide, he could run a business, and definitely could lead a team. There is so much Sajid can do if he puts his mind to it. The potential is there.
Are you aware of the potential within you?
Many of the kids I work with don’t realize the potential they have to lead, inspire, and succeed in various fields.
What can you do to realize and unleash the potential within you?
You’ll also notice that Sajid has fantastic focus. Many of the students in the class are constantly joking around, making mischief, and teasing each other. Sajid however always has complete focus and concentration on his drumming. Outside of class he is his usual jokey self, but during those practice hours he maintains discipline. He’s a fantastic role model for the others.
Focus, concentration, and discipline are critical for my boys to do well in their music, or in anything they pursue.
What do these three words mean to you?
Do you think these qualities are important?
Why?
What other qualities are also important?
Can you make a list of these qualities and draw a chart to illustrate how far you think you have developed in each of these qualities?
How can you develop these qualities further?
I also love to play football and cricket with the boys. Last time we played, the boys lost the bat and ball and I was reluctant to buy a new set. However Sajid reassured me that he would take full responsibility and keep the gear safely in his home this time. Over the past years, Sajid has become one of the students that I can rely on most. He can be depended on to round up the boys for class, to get them organized at performances, and to always take responsibility for his and the group’s actions.
I really value Sajid for his dependability.
What does it mean to be dependable?
To be responsible?
Can you think of a good example?
Is it important for us as people to dependable and responsible?
Why?
How can we practice these values more effectively?
Dharavi Rocks has grown into an incredible platform for these kids. While the group has had the opportunity to perform on stages around India and collaborate with some of the biggest artists in India and around the world, the biggest success has been the change that is taking place in the members. Over the years the kids have all grown immensely in their concentration, coordination, teamwork, and communication skills. They are choosing to dream bigger and work hard to achieve their dreams and goals. These kids have increased self-confidence and are spending their time in productive ways. Sajid is definitely a testament to the positive impacts the group has on students. I am truly proud of him.
Do you take part in any activities outside of school that help you learn and grow?
Sports?
Music?
Other art forms?
Have you seen any changes in your own self or those of your friends?
Are there other activities you wish to take part in?
(Can you draw a pie chart showing how you spend your time in different activities?)
Want to create a calm and focused space to start the conversation? Set up desks or chairs in a circle and start the session with 2 minutes of collective silence.
"What do you all really care about in our world?” Youth might not know how to respond. If only one or two people answer, create confidence: “I understand if you don’t know how to respond.
This probably isn’t a question many people have asked you in your life. But isn’t it important? There are so many different things for us to care about. For me, I really care about _(fill in your answer here!)_. Why do you all think I care about ___?” People might note that they really care about their family, the planet, their friends, or a pet animal. These various answers are common. From there, we have the perfect opportunity to dive deeper.
”Whether we know what we care about yet or not, let’s explore further. There is no limit to what we can care about, right?!” PLAY the “I Am Sajid” video above.
Go around the room and ask the group the various emotions they experience while watching. Why and how did we feel that way? Some responses might be: “I didn’t know there were children who sort through plastic as a job.” “I feel like I can relate – it was so fun to see Sajid playing with his friends and drumming. I want to drum.” “What else happens in his story? I don’t know about his life yet.” If this last answer happens, we have the perfect opportunity to introduce Sajid’s written stories. Read “Abhijit Meets Sajid”, either by having a “read-aloud”, splitting in small groups, or having everyone read on their own. Ask the group the sections that are written in green. Specifically, you might want to ask if the group has thought about ways to serve their community. “Do you take part in any community service activities? Is it important to? Why or why not? What have you done? What could you do in your own community? What does service mean to you?”
Start by expressing to the group that empathy, as we might have experienced today while seeing and reading about Sajid’s story, can be a tool to help us make actionable change. Share how what YOU care deeply about started with you empathizing.
Then: “Has anyone ever told you that your community couldn’t change for the better? That you weren’t capable of being a leader? That you couldn’t address our challenges? That you were too young? Did you believe them? Time to think again!” Ask one of the students to write all of the group’s ideas for challenges that they believe are important on a chalkboard or a large piece of paper. If answers don’t come up, remind the group that this is okay, and that you once also didn’t have these ideas yet. Start suggesting a few: “water access”, “climate change”, “hunger”, “poverty”, “homelessness”, "access to healthcare”. Encourage the group to explore connections with these challenges, to help the group remember that these topics are extremely interconnected – that we will explore how through our learning experiences together. Now ask the group whether they have ideas for solutions, locally or globally. “Are there ways we can begin to address these challenges? Do we know anyone who is already?” “How can WE be effective?”
"Did you ever believe we could come up with so many ideas for solutions to our world’s challenges? Did anyone ever tell you in your life that you could dedicate yourself to things that really, really matter?
That our world and everything that inhabits it faces great challenges – ones we can actually address if we work together effectively?” The group might respond with a lot of excitement. This is excellent. If the group isn’t excited enough for your liking, or if they are, PLAY the intro video to the leadership module as a follow up! This should get them really excited to make change. Remind the class that this isn’t the end – rather, it is only the beginning of their journey to become a storychanger. “As we look for clear ways to take action, let’s remember it’s not simple. We’ve got a lot to learn together to lead effective positive change!”
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →Not hers. Not yours. People are always more than the chapters anyone could share. Hold what is here gently. Approach with curiosity, before judgment.
If a moment stayed, follow it. If a question rose up, hold it. The quiet teaching is still teaching.
Three or four real stories woven into one lesson, your topic, your time. Sajid is one. The weaver finds the others, threads the math, the literacy, the values, the reflection.
Open the weaver →