The Internship That Changed More Than My Resume
- Varunika
When I first walked into TRY NGO, I thought I was there to complete an internship.
A few weeks later, I realized I was there to unlearn, relearn, and grow in ways I hadn't expected.
Like many students, I began this journey thinking about deadlines, weekly reports, and fulfilling internship requirements. But somewhere between teaching the alphabet, planting saplings, cleaning a playground, and listening to children excitedly recite poems, those requirements quietly faded into the background. What remained were moments that continue to stay with me.
One of my favourite parts of every visit was spending time with the children. We taught them colours, shapes, months, days of the week, poems, and even simple drawing techniques. The lessons themselves were basic, but the joy they brought was anything but. Every correct answer was celebrated like a major achievement, every drawing was proudly shown around the room, and every tiny improvement reminded me that learning is most beautiful when curiosity leads the way.
There were days when we spoke about topics that were much bigger than textbooks. During a session on Good Touch and Bad Touch, I understood how education is not just about academics—it is also about helping children feel safe, confident, and aware. Watching them participate with honesty and curiosity made me realize how important these conversations are, especially when they happen early.
Some lessons didn't happen inside a classroom at all.
On one occasion, we took part in a plantation drive. As we planted saplings together, the children excitedly asked when the plants would grow into trees. Their excitement was contagious. It wasn't simply about planting something in the soil; it was about planting a sense of responsibility for the environment. In that moment, sustainability wasn't a complicated concept—it was a child promising to water "their" little plant.
Another day, we rolled up our sleeves for a sanitation activity and cleaned the surrounding area together. It reminded me that community service isn't always about organizing big campaigns. Sometimes it's about picking up a broom, setting an example, and showing that dignity lies in taking responsibility for the spaces we all share.
Not every memory is tied to a lesson plan. Some of the happiest moments came from running races, doing PT exercises, playing Ring-a-Ring o' Roses, and simply laughing together. Those activities taught me something unexpected—that children don't measure your impact by how much you know. They remember how you made them feel. A few minutes spent playing with them often created stronger connections than an hour of teaching.
Looking back, I don't think I was only teaching the children. They were teaching me too.
They taught me patience when explaining the same concept several times without losing hope. They taught me gratitude by finding happiness in the smallest victories. They taught me that genuine kindness doesn't need grand gestures. Sometimes it looks like sitting beside someone, encouraging them to try again, or celebrating a tiny success as if it were your own.
TRY NGO gave me much more than practical experience. It gave me a chance to step outside my own routine and understand the realities, resilience, and potential that exist within every community. It showed me that creating change isn't always about doing something extraordinary. More often, it's about showing up consistently—with empathy, respect, and the willingness to help.
When people ask me what I gained from this internship, I could talk about communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and community engagement. Those are all true.
But the real takeaway is harder to put on a résumé.
I left with stories instead of statistics, memories instead of milestones, and a reminder that the smallest acts of care can leave the biggest impact.
And perhaps that's what TRY NGO does best—it doesn't just create opportunities to serve others. It quietly changes the people who choose to serve.