It all started way back in early 2000 when there was a nomination from the organization where I was then employed. As a trainer I was nominated for a 3 day Train the trainer workshop of UNFPA. Well known theory within the corporate circle is that these TTT are a space to relax with our colleagues from across the country. Little did I expect that these 3 days will change my perspective about knowledge to young adults.

This was an intervention of UNFPA at CBSE schools to equip the teachers of these schools to handle adolescent students. The topics included other than the WHO recognized Life skills, topics like bodily concerns during growing up stage, interpersonal relationship during the tween & teens, Use, misuse and abuse of various household drugs, finally, the risky decisions of adolescents.

Only at the workshop I realized that I have entered an unknown zone. The materials handed to us had human system that is vastly neglected or skipped or discounted at the school – the reproductive system or the growing up concern of the young adults was the focus of discussion on day 1. For a moment my colleague next to me thought that I had passed out. But, seriously, I was contemplating how I would make myself invisible to escape from the trainer point me for any question.  For a person who would establish eye contact with anyone without any difficultly, I was looking at anywhere other than the trainer or my colleagues.

Seriously, I was contemplating if I had made a mistake in being there. Believe me I could not read the material or pronounce most of the scientific terms given in the trainers manual. I was eager for the day to be over. The trainer, made her best efforts to break the ice and circulated a bowl full of chits of papers which were to be picked by us in random. Dutifully, I responded when I opened the small chit, I was beyond the state of shock as it said “Day 1 Human Reproductive System – Male”.

To make the long story short I am to focus for the next 3 days on this particular topic and present it to experts nominated by the certifying agency.

Royally cursing my teacher for leaving this topic as an optional topic I treaded with my preparation during the next 3 days and the nights as well to get all the scientific terms rightly pronounced. The trainer was more than empathetic not just helped me in my preparation but facilitated as well in need for taking these information to the students today.

“If you as trainer, facilitator”, she said,  “who is used to certifications and accreditation,(besides being a mother) needed a support in preparing a topic which is otherwise a topic that would be neglected at the school level, what would be the need of today’s children for addressing a topic such as this?”

This changed my perspective about needs of today’s adolescents. What an irony that we test on our children with loads and loads of questions about the world – Past Present and future, language and Arithmetic and further go ahead and grade them as well according to our standards, without understanding that they have questions about themselves which are not answered at all!

I went in as a trainer and came out with a mission of my life… Empathize adolescents, Educate them with the right information, Empower them to the worldly challenges…