“Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of unhampered participation in a meaningful setting.” – Ivan Illich
This thought came alive during the Fun Angels Open Mic event held on 3 May 2025 at Ramakrishna Mission, Vadodara. Organised by Sai’s Angel Foundation, Gupshup, and Leading Life, the event created a meaningful space where children learned not by being taught, but by participating, performing, and taking responsibility.
The event was an open mic platform for students, designed to give children the freedom to express themselves and showcase their talents. It also introduced a recurring branded event, planned to continue across future vacation periods.
The event aimed to:
- Provide a stage for children to showcase their diverse talents
- Encourage learning through participation and self-expression
- Build confidence among students
- Promote volunteerism, leadership, and basic management skills among youth
A total of 58 students took part in the event. They shared their talents through singing, stand-up comedy, poetry, joke-telling, drawing, essay writing, and other creative forms. Participation happened both on stage and through home submissions, ensuring everyone could be part of the experience.
A memorable moment was when a new student joined as a wild card entry. The student prepared a speech on the spot and spoke confidently on stage, perfectly reflecting the spirit of learning by doing.
Learning through participation was also seen behind the scenes.
A team of 14 students from 10th standard volunteered to manage the event. Their roles included registration, stage anchoring, decoration, technical support, and audience coordination.
With mentorship from Snehal Sheth and guidance from the coordinators, the students planned and executed the event smoothly. Preparations were completed a day in advance, and the programme concluded successfully on time.
All participants received certificates, and winners were awarded special prizes.
The Fun Angels Open Mic stood as a true example of Ivan Illich’s belief—when children are given a meaningful setting, learning happens naturally.
Our heartfelt thanks to Ramakrishna Mission for offering the venue, and to Gupshup for their support with prizes and snack arrangements.
