Support education for vulnerable children (India)

Project Period: Ongoing

Number of participants:

Participants in Government Homes:

• Remedial & Supplementary education - 114
• Higher Education – 12
• Total Participants covered- 126

Specific Objectives of the Project:

• To facilitate a better learning ecosystem for children in government homes through the Sahaara Remedial Education; and with training & equipping of Home staff; so that the children gain academic and life skills leading them to fulfill their dreams.

Key Activities:

• Remedial & Supplementary Education
• Youth sessions
• Awareness and Counselling to prevent school dropout
• Awareness sessions and counseling about hygiene and WASH behaviors
• Life skills training and access to vocational training courses

Achievements of the Project:

• 114 children are regularly attending remedial and supplementary education in Government Homes.
• 12 children are being provided with college education sponsorship.
• Life skills sessions were conducted in both the centres on topics like Moral Stories, Craft activities, and Social Emotional Learning focusing on worry, sadness, and happiness.
• A training session on Slow learners was conducted and proved to be beneficial for the teachers.
• Government School principal (Primary section) appreciated Sahaara teachers’ support with school classes in the absence of the school teachers.
• The aftercare home superintendent appreciated our help towards college students in the aftercare home.
• Government Girls’ Home superintendent gave special thanks for arranging the Mental Health Awareness session for staff.

Impact Story:

Title: Small words can make a big difference

This is a story of a young boy named Ravi* from CCH in Mankhurd. One of the Sahaara teachers met this boy in the year 2021 when he started teaching Science & English at the facility. During the lectures, the teacher noticed several times that Ravi used to scribble some or the other drawing patterns on his own hand, sometimes on other’s hands or in his notebook. On the contrary, his homework would always be incomplete. He would justify himself by saying that he was busy drawing/ sketching for his school mates or for some CCH authorities. The teacher observed that Ravi loved to draw.

The teacher constantly instructed him to read, learn and write, but he gave no heed to the teacher’s instructions and would come up with excuses or procrastinate saying he will be doing it next time. This went on for almost a year till the time came for him to sit for the Preliminary exams in the month of December, there wasn’t any hope of improvement in his studies.

The teacher, therefore, started counselling him and made a time-table for him to pursue his hobby of drawing along with his studies. Ravi also understood that the teacher recognizes his talent. This made him feel good. He slowly showed little consistency and realized the plethora of syllabus he had to cover in next three months before the exams began. The teacher further requested him to put aside his hobby for few months and concentrate only on his studies, so he could score well in the exams. Ravi was motivated, he agreed to concentrate and dedicate his time for studies. A little encouragement from the teacher proved to be fruitful and he passed his 10th grade (SSC) in 2022 with 45%.

Seeing Ravi’s interest to study further and gauging his capacity, he was supported with admissions for an ITI Course (Wireman) at Mankhurd. He also joined a drawing class for Elementary and Intermediate levels. On 14th November, 2022 the children and teachers celebrated Children's Day in CCH, he was felicitated by all the teachers and authorities. To top it all, his paintings were given as a souvenir to all the VIP Guest/ Authorities present for the Children’s Day program. This small act by the teacher played a huge role in motivating Ravi to keep pursuing his hobby along with his studies.

*Names changed to protect participant identities.

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