A Mother’s Journey Through The Pandemic: Online Teaching, Art, And Beach Cleanups

I’m a proud mother of two. For years, I lived a calm, routine life — teaching Math and science tuition, cooking meals, and taking care of my family. My days were predictable: I would send the kids to school, handle my classes at home, complete the chores, and repeat.

Then came the pandemic — and overnight, everything changed.

I was used to students coming home for classes, to the rhythm of a home that emptied out during the day. Suddenly, the house was full. My husband was now working from home, the kids were always around, and with all the restrictions, I found myself cooking nearly five times a day. It was overwhelming.

Teaching also transformed drastically. I was not tech-savvy — I had never done online classes before. I started with WhatsApp, awkwardly toggling between the front and back camera to explain concepts. The kids struggled, but we made the best of it. We laughed through the chaos, and I worked hard to keep the learning experience lively.

One day, my 12-year-old son sat me down and taught me how to use Zoom — how to share my screen, use annotations, and manage a virtual classroom. I was so proud to learn from him. On one hand, I was teaching him Science and Math, and on the other, he was teaching me technology. It became a beautiful exchange of knowledge.

I noticed many of his friends were feeling low and disconnected, so I decided to do something more. I began offering free online art workshops. People joined from over 12 countries — from kids to senior citizens. I conducted over 100 workshops, all for free. We used just what was available at home — old, used paper, glass bottles, plastic bottles, etc. The joy of seeing smiles across screens, of bringing people together through creativity — that became my biggest reward.

Outside of teaching, I had always been passionate about beach cleanups. During the lockdown, I continued them solo. I’d carry my bag, and my son would tag along to take photos. We turned it into a fun project, and he gradually became an excellent photographer. I ended up doing nearly 70 cleanups during that time.

Somehow, the universe seemed to notice the effort. Slowly, recognition started pouring in. I was invited for interviews by popular platforms like I Love Qatar, and schools started calling me to conduct art workshops. I received awards, met inspiring people, and my journey took on a whole new meaning.

Today, my son and I are a solid team — he still helps me with all things tech, and I continue to be his go-to tutor for Math, Physics, and Chemistry. The pandemic took a toll on my physical and mental health, but it also helped me bloom in ways I never imagined. I discovered hidden talents, built a global community through art, and in the last five years, I’ve conducted over 400 beach cleanups and 300 art workshops. I have shifted to Chennai, but I continue to take online classes for Math, Physics, and Chemistry. Kids love my teaching, and I enjoy teaching them too. I still struggle with tech stuff and panic when my screen freezes, but my son always comes smilingly to help me out.

What began as a struggle turned into a story of resilience, growth, and joy.