Nov 17, 2000
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THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA Nov 17, 2000 |
 Jill Wiwcharuk will not be on stage to receive her diploma in applied linguistics at convocation. Instead, she’ll be in Calcutta, India, putting her lessons into practice teaching English (and music and computers) at a group home for 300 children whose parents have leprosy.Wiwcharuk first visited India in 1998, after earning a BA in Hispanic and Italian studies and a BMus in music performance (she’s an accomplished violinist) at UVic. She spent three months there teaching and performing with the Calcutta Foundation Orchestra and teaching at Udayan, the group home. Udayan invited her back this past July for an eight-month term. Udayan benefactor and writer Domenique Lapierre paid her airfare, and she covered her other expenses from the proceeds of three piano and violin recitals with her mother. Friends also provided 14 violins, which she repaired and took with her for her students. Her position is challenging. She’s learning Hindi, struggling to find culturally appropriate teaching materials for her students, and coping with frequent power outages, train and bus transportation that is “not for the faint-hearted,” and a room that she shares with “about 300 species of bugs.” But she loves her work. “I’m convinced that I have the best job in the world,” she exclaims. “With my 12 classes of English a week, 16 violin students, 18 recorder students, choir, computer training, and the odd football match with the boys thrown in, I keep very busy here.” But Wiwcharuk always keeps in mind that, more important than teaching English, music, or computers, is her capacity as a caregiver. “Walking around and giving hugs in the morning and cuddles when there are tears is my biggest job,” she says. “These children see their parents three times a year and they need all the extra love and attention I can give them. Having the kids tell me they love me and asking for kisses before bedtime is the most profound payment anyone could ask for.” |