For anyone wondering where Residential Program big brother Aakash has been recently (since there hasn’t been much mention of him in the blog and he hasn’t been in too many photos), we figured a little update was in order. Aakash, who turns 21 (!!) next month, has been working and living with extended family in the area since last year, after having initially transitioned from the Residential Program to shared accommodations for working/studying young men. He comes over to spend time with the rest of the kids when he gets a break from work, and last week we took the opportunity to catch up with him about his plans, goals and life of late.


Aakash! Tell us what you’ve been up to over the course of the last year. Everybody is dying to know. 
I have been working at Sancheti Hospital every day. I work three different shifts every week.

What do you do there?
I’m a phone operator and a receptionist. I pick up calls – internal, external and international – and transfer the calls to wherever it should be. When I work the night shift I study for my exams, science and maths mostly. And I never get on the internet because it distracts me. So for the last 1 1/2 years I haven’t used the internet.

No way. 
Seriously!

What do you miss the most about the AIC house?
I miss the kids – my brothers and sisters – and the didis and dadas and spending time with them. It’s really difficult to stay away from these guys!

Do you miss daily chores?
…uhhhh…

Kidding, kidding. But in all seriousness, what do you do around the house these days?
I mostly help with the cooking and sweeping. I take care of things when nobody is around. Lots of women stare at me like [*mouth gaping open*] “Huh?! Why is that GUY doing housework?” It’s sort of embarrassing, but I’m like, well, I’ve been doing it since I came here (to AIC) and I like helping out. 

What do you want for your future?
A good job, a good attitude. When I get married someday I always want to be handy to my wife and kids.

And what sorts of goals are you working on right now?
Goals? So many goals. To have a better future. To be independent. To have my own house. I’ve been saving to buy my own house for 10 months now. To be more practical. I want to help my relatives out too with some things like furniture and maybe a house. I want to finish school and get into college. And then I want to do something, to really do something.

What advice do you have for your AIC brothers and sisters?
Study more. Be a good citizen. Help others in need. Be happy, always. Never be rude to anyone. And the most important one! Don’t give didis and dadas any trouble! 

Ha, thanks Aakash. The kids are lucky to have someone like you looking out for them!