Educate 100 Under Privileged Children for One Year

Academic Year 2024-25 at Ashwini Charitable Trust(ACT)

ACT is excited to report on the commencement of the new academic year 2024-25, dedicated to educating and empowering underprivileged children in urban Bangalore. Our commitment to ensuring that every child, particularly from an economically challenged background, receives quality education remains our guiding principle. This report outlines the steps taken by ACT to ensure a successful academic year for these children.

ACT initiated the admission process for the new academic year 2024-25. Each family approached us with unique and often challenging life stories, united by a shared goal: to provide their children with an education that will lead to a better future, distinct from the hardships they currently endure.

Preparation for the Academic Year

To prepare for the new academic year, ACT undertook several initiatives:

1. Orientation Sessions

We conducted orientation sessions for parents who had approached us for admission, explaining the significance of education and its potential to change their children's futures. These sessions provided an overview of the support ACT offers and what is expected from both the students and their families. Additionally, ACT mothers and senior students shared their experiences and guided new families.

2. Application Submission

In the month of April, the application process began for new students. Our senior students and staff assisted parents in writing applications, ensuring all necessary information and supporting documents were provided. This helped us understand the specific challenges each family faces and allowed us to tailor our support accordingly.

3. Distribution of School Supplies

To ensure that students are fully prepared for the academic year, ACT distributed essential school supplies, including school bags according to their class, stationery, notebooks, shoes, and socks. By providing these items, we aim at removing any financial barriers that might hinder a child's ability to attend school and learn effectively.

4. Initial Assessment

After receiving applications, ACT conducted an initial assessment to evaluate the educational needs of the children. This assessment helped us identify any learning gaps and plan interventions to address them. Students who need extra help were allocated volunteer assistance based on their needs.

5. Academic Readiness Programs

Before the school year begins, ACT organized academic readiness programs to help students brush up on their skills. These programs cover key subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts, ensuring that students start the year on strong footing. We started our LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) curriculum, drafted by Shanta Srinivasan, currently emphasizing the Listening component for the primary class students. In this phase, each alphabet letter is associated with five similar words, and students focus on understanding pronunciation, distinguishing between singular and plural forms, and starting to read complete sentences.

6. Home Visits

Once the admission process was over, the program team conducted the home visits. This helped us understand the detailed background of each child, including their socio-economic conditions and family background. These visits also allow us to identify any additional support the family might require from our end.

7. Mentorship

ACT provides mentorship and tutoring support to students who need additional help. As a part of the program intervention, older students serve as mentors, offering academic guidance and emotional support to younger children. They also check notes, bags, and document any other additional help required. This was immediately rolled out for the new academic year post the admissions.

Conclusion

The beginning of the new academic year at ACT is marked by hope and the promise of a better future. We are committed to providing every child with the education they deserve and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed. Through the support of our partners and the dedication of our team, we are confident that we can continue to make a significant impact in the lives of these children and their families.

We extend gratitude to all our volunteers and donors for their unwavering commitment to our cause. We are able to walk the path because of the commitment and unwavering support of all our wellwishers. Together, we can continue to educate and empower the underprivileged children of urban Bangalore.