By Ancy Reuben | Resource Mobilization Manager
Dear friends and donors!
Greetings from IDEA!
The holistic development approach to education is creating a positive impact in our activities throughout the year. Thank you very much to all of you for supporting this project and making it a success so far.
To nurture the child as a whole, the holistic approach encourages learning through engagement of the environment. As a part of this project we arranged a program called ‘Balmelava’ which means festival of children on April 16th 2016 at a resort in Pune. The resort has a lake view picnic spot, located on the bank of a dam, just 26 kms away from Pune City making it a 50 minutes drive only. It is the best picnic destination for families and school children.
Children were really looking forward to this event since many months. A total of 185 children from our study centres and schools in Bhor, Bopkhel, Hadapsar, Kothrud, Ramnagar, Kothrud and Uttamnagar participated in this event. Children under our sponsorship program also participated in the event.
For most children, it was for the first time in life they went out with their friends on a picnic. They were not even aware of places like this where they can spend the whole day and enjoy different games and activities. Their parents were never able to take them out for picnics or pleasure trips. The children enjoyed each and every part of the program with great enthusiasm and joy. It was really an unforgettable experience for them.
The whole day event mainly focussed on motivating the children through different creative activities. Children were given materials to develop their talents in art and craft. It was remarkable to watch them participating in such activities with full concentration. There was a book exhibition where the children were allowed to choose books on their own according to their interest. The story telling event was another program which the children enjoyed thoroughly. The children sat there listening to the story without slight distraction. The main attraction of the event was a Magic show and the children had great fun watching the magician and his tricks. The children were provided meals and soft drinks too.
Each and every activity we conduct towards the holistic development of the children make us more aware of the importance of activity based learning. Each child should have an opportunity to be looked as an individual and should get different learning opportunities. A child’s emotions, physical needs and creative openness will contribute to his/her learning. We are trying here to create warm relationship with the children through cultural and social development.
Here are some feedbacks of the students who participated in this event in their own language.
1] Name- Chandni– a grade 5 student
“I saw many new things in Shantivan like Rabbits, colourful birds, colourful fishes and beautiful aquariums, etc. Also we saw stars, moon through planetarium show and magic show which I like very much. The story we got to hear was very nice and we all enjoyed it.”
2} Name- Sarjerao– a grade 7 student .
“It was a very Memorial Day for me when I visited Shantivan with IDEA Foundation. I enjoyed the Magic show and I was astonished when I saw various magic tricks done by the magician . I saw parrots, rabbits, birds which were very beautiful & nice. I ate Gulabjamun( a Sweet ) , Idli and many other delicious food. IDEA Foundation gave us very interesting books and also the cap they gave us is also very beautiful. Many students of other communities of Pune had also come there and we played together “
3 }Name- Harshada– a grade 5 student
“First time I left my house alone with IDEA teacher and went to Shantivan near Pune. Initially there was some fear in my mind but when I saw Shantivan and atmosphere there I forgot my fear and enjoyed the event . I saw many new & colourful birds and rabbits there. We also enjoyed activities like Magic show and planetarium show. I selected two story books from book exhibition. A cap which I received was very beautiful. Thank you”
Dear friends …..I would like to thank each and every donor for supporting us and making this picnic and many other project activities a great success. A big THANK YOU on behalf of the children too. Your generosity is making a difference in the life of many poor children. Please continue to support us in fulfilling our mission towards education for all.
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