Education

Reopening of a school

We successfully secured funding for the pre-school, reopening its doors on October 9, 2023—a momentous occasion for the community marked by a formal inauguration complete with ribbon-cutting and festive celebrations. The realization of the school’s significance to the community became evident that morning, as residents dressed in their finest attire.

The reopening has had a profound impact, providing a safe and productive environment for over 40 young children, aged under 6. This initiative has not only brought back existing students but also attracted new enrolments. Beyond the academic benefits, our endeavour has proven pivotal for the community, allowing mothers to return to work while their children are cared for during the day.

Ensuring child safety has been our top priority, especially considering the risky unsupervised play habits of some children near busy roads. This concern was further emphasized by a tragic incident in another community, where a lack of funding led to the closure of a school. In that case, children, left unsupervised due to their mother’s work commitments, tragically drowned in a nearby apartment’s swimming pool. This heart-breaking event expedited our efforts to reopen the school promptly, emphasizing the critical importance of safety in our mission. Now, with the teacher and helper back at work, the school not only provides education but also serves as a secure space for the children’s growth and well-being.

Spoken English Program

We have partnered with Aarunya Foundation (www.aarunya.org) and introduced their spoken English program for 22 children in the age group of 8 to 12 years. This after-school distance learning initiative entails a daily one-hour session, with each child participating for a duration of 4 years. This first batch has graduated to the next level, ‘Spoken English’, as a new batch of 23 children get inducted into level 1 this September. This new batch will be held in our new community space.

Notably, this new batch comprises children from the neighbouring community too. As we enter this phase we are excited to extend some of our initiatives to this community, staying true to our motto of making a difference, one community at a time.

Recognizing the contemporary significance of English, this program aims to enhance the language skills of the participants. Proficiency in English is increasingly crucial for improving employability and accessing educational opportunities. Moreover, it fosters self-confidence, given its widespread use in national, political, social, and commercial communication.

The existing education system, particularly in government schools, often treats English as just another subject, relying solely on exam scores to measure proficiency. Therefore, there is a pressing need for substantial intervention at the primary and secondary school levels to enhance the fundamental English communication skills of students. This program seeks to address this gap by providing a structured, long-term learning experience for children, recognizing the broader impact on their future prospects.

Solar-powered lights

We’ve partnered with the Menda Foundation to illuminate the community using solar-powered lights. Approximately 100 children of various age groups diligently engage in their homework and after-school studies while seated on the ground in the school’s verandah. Their study time is not constrained by the availability of sunlight anymore. The Menda Foundation’s solar lights that were installed inside the three class rooms as well as in the verandah ensure extended study hours. Additionally, the Foundation also installed several street lights in the newly created space that houses the containers, play ground and kitchen garden, to enhance safety and usability.

The Anugraha Project is a part of The Banyan Tree Trust.

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