The Heart of Volunteering: Stories from Akhiladevi’s Classrooms
eVidyaloka|November 2025
eVidyaloka|November 2025
Every year, numerous volunteers engage with rural government schools virtually through eVidyaloka’s Digital Classroom Program. While each year of contribution is an achievement in itself, for some volunteers, it evolves into a long-term commitment. Akhiladevi Kumaran, an IT professional and senior manager, joined eVidyaloka in 2021. Living in Abu Dhabi, she felt a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on students in rural India. Over time, she has built a treasure trove of memories with every batch of students she has taught, each reminding her of the impact, joy, and connections that make her journey so meaningful.
In 2021, Akhiladevi taught English to Grade 7 students at ADWHS Thandalam, Tamil Nadu. Reflecting on her experience, she shares, “I have worked with large teams of over 100 people in my career, but the satisfaction I found as a volunteer teacher guiding 45+ students through a single screen for the first time, elevated my happiness to a level that words cannot capture.”
Her sessions brimmed with curiosity, as she made grammar come alive through riddles, brain games, creative writing, and critical thinking exercises.
At the end of the academic year, the students’ gratitude poured in through heartfelt videos. Many expressed extra thanks for the Warli art sessions and the ABCs of Problem Solving workshops conducted during the summer camp. Every small gesture, a creative project, a kind word, a moment of attention, can leave a lasting impact on young minds.
When Akhiladevi began teaching at PUMS Maruthur in 2023, she faced an entirely new challenge teaching Science in Tamil medium. Having studied in English medium all her life, this was unfamiliar territory. “This is when I took a deep dive into the amazing content available on the eVidyaloka portal,” she recalls. “I became a student myself, learning the science terminologies through the videos.”
To make her virtual classroom feel more personal and connected, she fondly gave the class a special identity. “Every time my students see ‘Good morning Maruthur Stars’ on the first slide and hear me greet them, their faces light up with the brightest smiles,” she adds.
Those smiles became her daily motivation. The creativity students poured into their homework, charts, and thoughtful projects consistently exceeded her expectations, leaving her inspired and reaffirming her passion for teaching.
Akhiladevi believes that the role of a teacher extends beyond instruction, serving as a facilitator who empowers children to uncover knowledge through their own curiosity. In 2024, she took up the opportunity to teach Grade 7 Mathematics at PUMS Konamangalam.
She made her sessions engaging by including brain gyms, quizzes, and tricky riddles. Often, her students would come to class excited and prepared with their own questions, turning the class into a lively exchange of ideas.
The love and appreciation she received , especially on Teachers’ Day through heartfelt notes , lifted her spirits and gave her immense pride; moments she calls truly memorable. When she visited the school and met her students in person, what moved her most was not only their eagerness to learn but also the strong values reflected in their character.
This academic year, Akhiladevi is teaching English to a new batch of Grade 6 students, affectionately called the ‘Konamangalam Minminis’, a name the children proudly chose themselves. She continues to experiment with creative teaching methods to keep them engaged, reinforce their understanding of core concepts, and help them apply their learning with confidence in the years ahead.
Akhiladevi Kumaran’s journey embodies not only years of dedication but also the invaluable experiences gained along the way. Each session presents an opportunity to learn, to inspire, and to make a meaningful impact. Her story stands as a testament to how volunteering transcends geographical boundaries , empowering individuals, fostering empathy, and creating lasting change. Through her continued commitment, Akhiladevi exemplifies the spirit of purposeful giving and the profound difference one person can make in the lives of many.
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