Not every experiment in education succeeds. But every failure has a lesson.
That’s the powerful message behind the comic “Why the Colaba T2E POD Struggled.” In a refreshingly honest and reflective tone, this comic lays bare the real-life challenges faced while trying to run a Teach to Earn (T2E) community learning pod in Colaba, Mumbai.
At first glance, the idea seemed perfect: give underserved children access to fully-equipped computers, a safe learning space, and the freedom to explore. And while the vision was bold and inspiring, the reality was far messier.
Through a series of simple but poignant scenes, the comic walks us through the challenges the team encountered—lack of consistent adult supervision, unmotivated children, a disconnect between access and engagement, and the critical importance of community ownership. It’s a story of good intentions meeting hard ground.
But instead of painting this as a failure, the comic reframes it as a learning moment.
We’re reminded that access alone isn’t enough. Yes, technology is powerful. But without adult mentors, without community buy-in, and without a culture that nurtures self-learning, even the best tools can fall short.
What stands out is the humility of the narration. There’s no sugarcoating. No finger-pointing. Just a clear-eyed analysis of what went wrong—and what can be done better. It offers important insights for anyone trying to reimagine education: that passion must be paired with preparation, that kids need caring adults, and that community engagement isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Most importantly, the comic doesn’t end in defeat. It ends in renewed resolve.
With a shift in mindset, stronger local partnerships, and better onboarding of mentors, future pods can succeed. In fact, the Colaba experience is a roadmap of what to avoid and what to strengthen.
The big takeaway? Mistakes are part of the mission.
If you’re a parent, teacher, social worker, or changemaker dreaming of transforming education in your neighborhood, this comic is a must-read. It will prepare you—not just to dream big, but to build smart.
And if you’re ready to try again, the tools are already available.
💻 The Apna PC is a fully loaded, affordable learning computer created by Teach to Earn to support learning pods like the one in Colaba. With the right guidance and mentorship, these PCs can unlock a world of learning for any child, anywhere.
📖 Read the comic as a flipbook and share it with your community. Use it as a mirror—and a map.
👉 Then take the next step. Visit https://www.teachtoearn.in/apna-pc/
Equip a child with an Apna PC—and help build a stronger, smarter learning pod.