A day in the life of a 19-year-old educator and activist in Pakistan
Nayalash shares her love for teaching, being productive and celebrating the small wins in life. (Courtesy of Nayalash Chaudry)
Nayalash shares her love for teaching, being productive and celebrating the small wins in life.
Monday, 20 June
I woke up around 6:30 a.m. I've always been a morning person but over the past few years my routine has gotten quite messed up. I would wake up at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and wouldn’t feel good about it. But now, I’ve finally begun waking up naturally around 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m., which has been great because it means I get a bit more of a full day and have a lot of energy.
I got some chores done, made myself a delicious cheese omelette, did journaling and fed my cats. We have eight cats. These are stray cats and extremely friendly. In the afternoon, I went to the gym. I did some cycling, leg press and treadmill followed by 15 minutes of Pilates. I listen to podcasts while doing gym and it has been fun!
After the gym, I came home, took a shower and did some reading. I read “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon. Later, I did some work for The Jugnu Project, which is Pakistan's domestic violence resource. I write articles and create toolkits. My work involves a lot of research and learning.
After the gym, I came home, took a shower and did some reading. I read “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon,” Nayalash recalls. (Courtesy of Nayalash Chaudry)
Tuesday, 21 June
I woke up quite early, it was a nice chill morning. The weather was beautiful.
I went to attend a teacher training workshop at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). I was anxious. It doesn't matter where I go, I constantly worry about being late. So I got ready (way too early) and that gave me so much time to panic. I typically leave the house with a stomachache and nervousness. I need to figure out how to calm down.
The teacher training was a part of Khalq Summer School, which is a pilot project launched by Haqooq-e-Khalq Movement, a progressive community-based organisation with The Centre For Continued Education at LUMS. The focus of this programme is on bridging COVID-19-induced learning losses experienced by children in Lahore’s working-class neighbourhoods through summer classes and activities. Most students in this area attend private schools that have low tuition fees. However, decreased enrolment as a result of the pandemic has left these schools on the verge of permanent closure. This could lead to whole communities being deprived of education.
I joined this programme as a teaching fellow and I am so excited about what we'll accomplish. At 3:30 p.m., after the teaching training session, I had an appointment with my therapist (for the first time). I didn't go for any particular reason. I wanted to share my life concerns and problems and see where it could go. While it definitely felt strange being the talker and not the listener, I appreciated the fact that that person had the sole purpose to listen to me and try to help me out.
“It was a nice chill morning. The weather was beautiful,” Nayalash shares. (Courtesy of Nayalash Chaudry)
Wednesday, 22 June
Today is the start of Khalq Summer School. With our summer programme, we aim to provide students with coaching, teaching and financial resources. We also motivate kids to engage in projects that stimulate their personal development skills.
This camp is designed for students in grades 4–10 whose education has been affected by COVID-19. Through fun, education-centric activities, we help re-energise students’ dedication.
At Khalq Summer School, we are not operating under the traditional concept of teaching. We're focusing on delivering a new kind of student experience, one that is more engaging and relevant to the unique demands of today's world. As a teaching fellow, my responsibility is to offer a platform for personal and intellectual growth that builds students’ practical and innovative skills.
Today was an introductory class. We did a few activities with the students and gave them an overview of the summer school. We really had fun with the students. At the end of the class, I had a conversation with the principal. It was fascinating to learn about their school model, how they support students and how they ensure that girls remain in school.
It was such a fulfilling day.
Thursday, 23 June
It is the second day of Khalq Summer School.
The schools that we are working with are located in Chungi Amar Sadhu. It is a 40-minute drive from my home but since I got lost somewhere in Chungi, it took almost an hour.
The class went great. During the civics class, the other teacher did a good job teaching kids about the governmental structure of Pakistan. It sparked a discussion among the children — they were asking questions such as "کیا عدالتیں آزاد ہیں؟ " (“are courts free?”) and “what if we don't get justice from any court?”
“In the activity class, kids drew beautiful stuff on the whiteboard. It reminds me of Pablo Picasso’s quote: ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up,’” Nayalash recalls. (Courtesy of Nayalash Chaudry)
In the activity class, kids drew beautiful stuff on the whiteboard. It reminds me of Pablo Picasso’s quote: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
My greatest fulfilment comes from teaching in low-income schools, government schools or voluntary organisations. It blows my mind knowing how curious and innovative the kids are despite having unequal opportunities and fewer resources. I love every part of my work and all the kids equally. I plan to keep working towards unleashing young people's potential by giving them the tools they need to succeed.
“I plan to keep working towards unleashing young people’s potential by giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
Friday, 24 June
I managed to get some jobs done around the house, went to the gym, had an online workshop for civics curriculum development and helped the team complete a gender-based violence directory of emergency services for The Jugnu Project.
I then went to a park for a walk, came back home, listened to a podcast and slept!
Saturday, 25 June
There isn't much that happened on Saturday. I don't know why but I don't like weekends. I need to change this mindset! I like starting my day with one tiny win. It can be anything — reading for 30 minutes, writing for 15 minutes, a quick workout, eating a nutritionally dense breakfast or completing a task I've been dreading (inspired by Sahil Bloom).
I cleaned the house and made myself a nutritionally dense breakfast (Win! Win!). After that I did some reading. I've been reading “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” by Yuval Noah Harari.
“I feel down when I don’t do anything productive or make small progress every day towards my goals. So, I try to set and complete small, manageable goals every day and I get energised by my visions for the future.”
I edited a podcast episode that I recorded with Isabella Grandic. Isabella is a writer, feminist and the co-founder of Boob Blurb, a card game that promotes conversation around topics that have been censored for centuries like consent, birth control, gender fluidity and more. On the podcast, Isabella and I talked about her career, goals, Boob Blurb, curiosity, inspirations and much more. After I edited the episode, I went for a walk, listened to music and contemplated life.
Recently, I’ve been doing a digital detox. Being away from Instagram has been great. I feel mentally drained after using it. I don’t find Twitter very annoying though, mostly because I’ve been following some great people. I just mute anyone who doesn’t give good vibes. I’ve built some good connections through Twitter but I try my best not to check it every now and then.
Sunday, 26 June
I decided to wake up a little later on Sunday but my cats have made a promise not to let that happen. They don't sleep at our place and choose to go somewhere at night, so around 6 to 7 a.m., they start meowing outside the house and I have to get up immediately to give them food.
I wrote down my tasks for the day on Notion. I spent 30 minutes sending emails, did some yoga, published the podcast episode and read a book.
I feel down when I don't do anything productive or make small progress every day towards my goals. So, I try to set and complete small, manageable goals every day and I get energised by my visions for the future.
Read more
