Educate 3000 Marginalised Slum Children in Odisha

Upasana, pictured here, is a sixteen-year-old girl who has benefitted from the activities offered by the project. Her family includes herself, her parents, and her two younger sisters. Her father is a carpenter and her mother works as a domestic help. Due to lack of opportunities after Cyclone Phailin in 2013, they had to relocate to the city in search of a livelihood. Upasana was forced to discontinue her education to take care of her younger siblings who are in the 7^th and 5^th standards respectively and support her mother in household chores.

The project team met Shikha, Upasana’s younger sister when conducting a survey in her community, later Shikha was supported through remedial education centre, and she also passed out with good grades. After being part of the centre for nearly two years, Shikha requested for some support for her sister Upasana, who was studying in Standard 8 when they left the village. However, Upasana was reluctant to return to school to study with children who are much younger than her. Upasana was offered help to re-join school, however upon voicing her hesitation, she was instead offered to attend the remedial classes first, which she accepted.

After few months, Upasana had increased interested and requested for support for her to appear Standard 10^th exam directly. The Project team visited the High School near her slum. As suggested by the Principal the team members together with Upasana approached Board of Secondary Education directly. After continuous persuasion her admission procedures were completed. Now Upasana attends her school and is preparing for her board exams for March 2017.

“I learnt a lot from other girls who are studying with me, I dress up neatly and I tend my hair properly too. In the past I was not very tidy about it” Upasana explains. “Staying back at my house, I could have never been able to interact so well, or know of few things like computers. I have a feeling that I can do something and after completing my 10^th exam, I can enrol myself in learning skills and will earn on my own to support my parents.” She then poses for a picture with her remedial teacher and mentor, Bijay Sir.

Ruchika Social Service Organisation has been supporting 979 of these children studying in Class 6, Class 7 and Class 8 through 40 remedial centres. The organisation ensures 100% enrolment of children in school.  The children who have difficulty in coping in schools are identified and provided remedial education support through improving their competencies and peer support. This year, all the children performed very well in the annual exams.

Making the kind of commitment it takes to ensure 95% retention of children in school and supporting them in improving their academic proficiency is only possible if support from special individuals and foundations are received, however, in the last quarter the project had not received any resources. These funds are used for paying costs for teaching materials, teacher’s salary and setting up libraries. We request our previous donors to support the project generously and assist us in reaching out to more children like Upasana living in the slums of Bhubaneswar.

“I love to study, draw and paint. When I grow up I want to be a teacher” Amit, aged 13 comments after winning the third prize in a inter-school drawing competition.

The drawing competition was part of “Madhukatha Pratiyogita” organised on the eve of foundation day of Odisha (Utkal Dibasa).  Children from several organizations and 12 schools participated in the competition. Topics are on the life sketch of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das known as 'Madhu Babu' by the common people. Madhu Babu worked for the political, social and economic upliftment of the people of Odisha and served the nation as a lawyer, social reformer and patriot. He founded Utkal Sammilani which brought a revolution in the social and industrial development of Odisha.

Amit is one amongst the 18 children who attend the remedial education centre in Narayani Basti.  He and nearly all the children from this slum study in the Government School.  Amit’s parents work as agricultural labourers in their village. Interest to study forced him to accompany his grandfather and live in Narayani Basti.  He was identified as one of the children who had difficulties in coping in school. “His interest in studies and hard work motivated me to support him in all his efforts not only in school but also in participating in co-curricular activities” says Ms. Susama, remedial education centre teacher.

Ruchika Social Service Organisation has been supporting 3,284 children through 60 remedial education centres across the city. 979 of these children are studying in Class 6, Class 7 and Class 8.  The organisation ensures 100% enrollment of children in school.  The children who have difficultly in coping in schools are identified and provided remedial education support through improving their compencies and peer support. This year, all the children performed very well in the annual exams. The child in the picture, Amit secured 75% and also stood first in his class.

Making the kind of commitment it takes to ensure 95% retention of children in school and supporting them in improving their academic proficiency is only possible because of the support of special individuals and foundations who provide the funds to ensure children receive adequate education support, and the donations that help in paying for costs for teaching materials, teachers salary and setting up libraries.