My projects

Yesterday morning (Wednesday), I met with Nandini to discuss my work for the upcoming weeks. My first project is to create children’s storybooks using math concepts. I’m to focus on preschool-first grade lessons like counting, simple addition, shapes, and patterns. Nandini told me I could take photos and use them in place of drawings. We’re meeting again Friday to discuss my planning and progress. My other task, which I can complete concurrently with the first, is to research Indian mathematicians and their accomplishments. Finally, I’ll be working with Sunita and Ramesh on their English.

After meeting with Nandini, I went upstairs to the centre to start brainstorming for the books. I didn’t get much work done, though, because the summer session students were up there and Prema came over to chat. We talked for a while about my return to India, Indian weddings, and our families. She told me, “You are a good family member. I love you Pyper ma’am.” I fought off tears. Later, I showed her a photo of my mom and Hadley, and looking at my mom, she said, “She is my mother now, too. We are family, no?”

Aside from how much I believe in the work of NIRMAN, that, right there, is why I came back.