Introduction

My experience at Sandesh was very interesting and educational. During my internship, I got the opportunity to work on different activities with people with disabilities such as paper sticking, packaging, cutting paper shapes, and preparing products for sale. I also met many new people and learned how teamwork and communication are important in a workplace. Every day taught me something new, and the experience helped me improve both personally and Socially.

What Challenges I Faced

The main challenges I faced were actually before coming to the internship. I was very tense and nervous about it since it was my first experience with people with disabilities. I felt like they would not accept me and talk to me as they have known each other for years. After interacting with them, I realized they are much more joyful than people without disabilities and are really fun people to talk to. They seldom get angry and forgive each other very quickly. The activities we did at Sandesh were challenging at first since I did not really do anything like this before. However with the help of my peers and teachers it became an experience filled with work, fun and laughter.

Designing Realistic Scenarios

The work at Sandesh showed me how products are made step-by-step in real life. For example, we first covered plastic bowls with newspaper using a resin made out of maida, then added white paper, and finally colourful paper for decoration. This process helped me understand how creativity and patience are needed in making handmade products. I also learned how packaging is designed carefully to make products look attractive and ready for sale. It helped me realize how our day-to-day items are actually produced which made the internship very intriguing and not boring at all since we learned something new everyday.

Mistakes and Learning

In the beginning, I made mistakes while sticking paper because I did not know the correct technique. Over time, with guidance from the staff and other interns, I improved a lot. I learned shortcuts and more efficient methods from teachers and peers. These mistakes helped me understand that learning takes time and practice. By the end of the internship, I became much more confident in completing the tasks.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Teamwork played a very important role throughout the internship. Many activities required two or more people to work together. For example, white paper sticking on bowls was easier when done as a team. I also worked with another intern while tying price tags and sticking labels on products. The support from teachers and interns made the environment friendly and cooperative. Birthday celebrations at the institute also brought everyone together and created a strong sense of Unity.

Skills I Learnt

During my time at Sandesh, I learned many practical skills. I learned how to make and use maida resin, stick paper neatly, use packaging techniques, and handle products carefully. I learnt different communication skills with people with different disabilities. Time management, patience, and attention to detail were other important skills that I developed during the internship.

Understanding People and Psychology

My understanding of people with disabilities before the internship was that they were “challenged” and that made them “less” and it would require extra effort on my part to work and communicate with them. I was proved wrong the minute I sat at the reception on the first day. I was greeted with many loud and enthusiastic “Good mornings”, big smiles and curious and confident questions on my name and other details! I felt accepted, comfortable and many times I was taught patiently by them on how to do certain tasks.

Real World Impact

The activities at Sandesh showed me how handmade products are prepared and sold in the real world. Even small tasks like tying price tags or folding packaging boxes are important because they contribute to the final product. I realized that teamwork and effort from many people are required to successfully complete and sell products. It gave me a better sense of understanding on empathy and how to talk to others regardless of their disabilities. This experience gave me a better understanding of how workplaces function and how people with disabilities actually are.

Personal Growth

This internship helped me grow as a person. I became more responsible, patient, and confident while working with others. I learned how to adapt to new situations and improve through practice. Even when I faced difficulties, I continued learning and trying new methods. I have definitely become more empathetic and confident to speak to others due to the “extroverted” factor of my peers. The experience also taught me the importance of discipline and cooperation.

Applying School Learning

Many things I learned in school were useful during the internship. Art and craft skills helped while decorating bowls, and communication skills helped while interacting with others. I also used problem-solving skills to complete tasks more efficiently. The internship showed me that school learning can be applied in practical situations outside the classroom and can help others who need it.

Reflections on Education

This experience made me realize that education is not only about textbooks and exams. Practical experiences like internships help students learn important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Education also means learning something new, in this case I learned many different facts and my mindset towards people with disabilities was changed. I definitely learnt from them. Working in a real environment gave me confidence and taught me lessons that cannot always be learned in a classroom.

Conclusion

Overall, my experience at Sandesh was memorable and meaningful. I learned many new skills, improved my teamwork and communication, and gained real-world experience. Even though some tasks were challenging at first, I improved with practice and guidance. This internship provided me with skills and awareness about people with disabilities that I can share with others who need it. Overall, this experience helped me grow as a person and learnt there is a lot more to learn about various matters regarding people with disabilities. They may be different, but no less.