Written by Flavia
As part of my end-of-year reminisces, here are a few things I’ve learnt and experienced while at Bookworm.
I‘ve learnt that there are many public libraries in Goa – at least one per taluka – besides the Central Library at Panjim.
Thanks to Bookworm, I’ve been one of those who’ve lit the traditional lamp at an inauguration ceremony. It was my first time ever and I managed without the need for the Fire Brigade.
I’ve been to many of the beaches of Goa for various purposes, none of which involved work. With Bookworm, I’ve attended 2 serious (including theatre exercises) staff meetings at the beach.
Over the past 3 academic years with Bookworm, I’ve visited schools in parts of Goa which I had never heard of and which are not easily found on the map. At a party the other day, a 12-year old girl kept smiling at me. After a while she shyly came up to me and told me that I had been to her class this year. A couple of questions later resulted in the realization (on my part) that I had been part of the team which had conducted only one session ever, in that school. I’m happy that I’m so memorable.
I’ve met people from all over India and abroad, thanks to Bookworm. I’ve learnt that it is possible to learn something from every new friendship. In retrospect, I hope that the people I’ve met feel the same way about me.
I’ve learnt to read books as well as their illustrations. All these years, although I’ve read comic books and realized that sometimes the pictures tell another story, I’ve never bothered to focus on them. Unless someone else asked me whether I had noticed something, I usually skimmed over pictures. Bookworm’s Big Books© (normal sized books, enlarged so that an entire classroom can see the illustrations) have made all the difference. I’ve also learnt that children’s books have a magic of their own.
At the end of every year I ruminate on what I’ve done – I do not focus much on the mistakes I’ve made as that might take too long. I do hope that the New Year will be as informative for me as 2015.
