As you may know I have a passion for teaching, travelling and an even stronger passion for learning. I had the privilege this summer to travel to India. During this trip I had to the opportunity to work with children and youth within Punjab, India. Over the course of this trip I was left puzzled.
Although India has progressed, it has left me very disappointed as an educator. An educator who strives to create communities of: inclusion, respect, respect for diversity, fairness, cooperation, acceptance and responsibility. Otherwise known as the play it fair values developed by Equitas. (International Centre for Human Rights Education, 2009). These very values have been used within day camp settings and classrooms worldwide.
Nevertheless, within Punjab, India I learned that based on what “class” you belong to will determine the amount of respect you will receive in a university setting and the type of job you can earn post-university. I was stunned to hear that the “class” system still has volume within India and allows a label to be placed on you despite the fact that you are born into this “class.”
Therefore, if you are considered upper class, society has automatically made an assumption that you were born into a rich family. Rich meaning you own more land then someone in a lower class. In addition, you are shunned in society, education and post-education. Society deems you do not need to be in the working fields of a nurse, doctor, teacher etc. due to the amount of land your “class” over centuries have earned or inherited.
As I learned this new information, I was not surprised why there were so many signs to “study in Canada, New Zealand or Australia.” Many youth know there is no future for them in Punjab, India due to the class they belong to. A local told me that within job interviews they will question and research the “class” you belong to and likely turn you away if you belong to a higher “class” because your family and yourself do not deserve the job.
I knew I could not make a difference to the entire Punjab, India but making at least one difference was worth the while. I helped a female youth consider applying into Langara college in Vancouver, BC. She happily took this advice and applied. Long story short, she was accepted in December, left her family, home and life on her own and travelled to Canada. She is now turning her life around by studying in Canada a place where she considers has the utmost respect, inclusion, fairness, acceptance and respect for diversity. She will be pursuing a career in health science's and working at Safeway to help pay for school.
I wanted to share this blog with individuals who have been puzzled and moved by societies opinions and have taken those opinions and made them an opportunity to make a change in someone else’s life. Never stop believing in making positive changes.
As mentioned in a previous blog of mine “Practice Kindness Amazing Things Will Happen: ” by Karveena Bains: Gratitude is positive for both the recipient and the giver because the recipient is grateful for being the recipient of gratefulness and the giver is grateful for acknowledging the recipient was in need of, or worthy of benefit (Emmons, 2007). karveenabains.weebly.com/1/post/2014/11/-practice-kindness-amazing-things-will-happen.html
Although India has progressed, it has left me very disappointed as an educator. An educator who strives to create communities of: inclusion, respect, respect for diversity, fairness, cooperation, acceptance and responsibility. Otherwise known as the play it fair values developed by Equitas. (International Centre for Human Rights Education, 2009). These very values have been used within day camp settings and classrooms worldwide.
Nevertheless, within Punjab, India I learned that based on what “class” you belong to will determine the amount of respect you will receive in a university setting and the type of job you can earn post-university. I was stunned to hear that the “class” system still has volume within India and allows a label to be placed on you despite the fact that you are born into this “class.”
Therefore, if you are considered upper class, society has automatically made an assumption that you were born into a rich family. Rich meaning you own more land then someone in a lower class. In addition, you are shunned in society, education and post-education. Society deems you do not need to be in the working fields of a nurse, doctor, teacher etc. due to the amount of land your “class” over centuries have earned or inherited.
As I learned this new information, I was not surprised why there were so many signs to “study in Canada, New Zealand or Australia.” Many youth know there is no future for them in Punjab, India due to the class they belong to. A local told me that within job interviews they will question and research the “class” you belong to and likely turn you away if you belong to a higher “class” because your family and yourself do not deserve the job.
I knew I could not make a difference to the entire Punjab, India but making at least one difference was worth the while. I helped a female youth consider applying into Langara college in Vancouver, BC. She happily took this advice and applied. Long story short, she was accepted in December, left her family, home and life on her own and travelled to Canada. She is now turning her life around by studying in Canada a place where she considers has the utmost respect, inclusion, fairness, acceptance and respect for diversity. She will be pursuing a career in health science's and working at Safeway to help pay for school.
I wanted to share this blog with individuals who have been puzzled and moved by societies opinions and have taken those opinions and made them an opportunity to make a change in someone else’s life. Never stop believing in making positive changes.
As mentioned in a previous blog of mine “Practice Kindness Amazing Things Will Happen: ” by Karveena Bains: Gratitude is positive for both the recipient and the giver because the recipient is grateful for being the recipient of gratefulness and the giver is grateful for acknowledging the recipient was in need of, or worthy of benefit (Emmons, 2007). karveenabains.weebly.com/1/post/2014/11/-practice-kindness-amazing-things-will-happen.html
Picture to left a child in India learning how to write on her brand new chalk board. She was super excited!