We began tutoring Samuel when he was in second grade. At that time he was missing a lot of school because of health problems and was at risk of failing. Thanks to his diligence and with the help of our volunteer, however, he was well prepared for the exam and passed. Last year he entered fifth grade.
Although he is no longer at risk of failing, he still needs the support of our volunteer, because his mother does not have the resources to help him herself. But she refuses to let this stand in the way of her children receiving a good education.
Working together with parents is a prerequisite for the success of any tutoring. This is also aided by the teacher’s support. Samuel has a teacher who supports him and, as far as possible, is dedicated to him. A kind of rescue network consisting of a teacher, a mother and People in Need works around Samuel. This network is capable of catching problems at the beginning before they can grow even bigger.
Favourite activity? Going to the library
Thanks to the support that Samuel receives, in addition to being tutored he can also go with the volunteer to the library, which he absolutely loves. He borrows books that his mother otherwise can’t afford, most recently an encyclopaedia of the universe and a book about dinosaurs. He spoke of nothing else for weeks.
Besides Samuel, our volunteers also tutor his older siblings and cousins, whom Samuel’s mother took into her care from a children’s home. Samuel’s cousin Markéta has finished school and is now working, and his other cousin Nikolas is just completing his studies. His youngest brother will join the preschool club. Everyone in the family knows they have the backing of People in Need and that we are here to help them deal with problems at school and elsewhere.
Foto: Rishabh Kaul.
