Educate One Girl for One Month in Rural India

A New Educational Year

The Kaliyachak Girls' Learning center started is new session on 1st of April, 2024.  There are 35 new admissions in Class 1 and the total enrollment now stands at 150 girls, with approximately 110 attending daily. Some of the children have migrated with their families who've left Kaliyachak in search of work.

Classes now run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as the government school schedule has changed to early morning.  Saturdays are now reserved for painting, reading, sports, learning to use a computer, singing and exercise. Predictably Saturdays are big hit. Students who participated in sports at the learning centre are now competing in inter-school competitions in the government school. 

Parent Teachers Association 

This year we plan to increase the frequency of the parent-teacher meetings to reinforce the importance of girls' education. We aim to engage the parents more in the education and health of their daughters, keeping them informed about the centre's operations, and educating them on the importance of a balanced diet for their family. A one-day nutrition workshop is being planned in the coming quarter. 

Gender Workshop

A gender sensitisation workshop for all teachers and staff in Bihar was conducted on 28 and  29th February 2024 by a team from Nirantar. The participants were introduced to gender issues and their impact on our lives. A follow-up session is planned for this fall.

Conversational English for Teachers

English is an aspirational subject for all of the girls and we want to help the girls improve their English speaking skills. English story telling  and reading will be some of the activities that we focus on this academic year.

Three of the teachers are currently undergoing an online basic English speaking course run by the Delhi-based institute - Inlingua. They are thoroughly enjoying the classes and the aim is that they transfer their skills to the students in time.

Health and Nutrition

Deworming (albendazole) tablets were administered to all of the students in December 2023, and they began a three-month course of B complex prescribed by our doctor in March.

We continue to offer a high protein snack of peanuts, roasted gram and molasses everyday as most of the girls subsist on a diet limited to rice and potatoes. The children are looking significantly healthier with white patches on the skin fading and hypopigmentation of the hair reduced with improved nutrition and supplements.  

Your Support Makes this New Year Possible.

Thank you for your continued support of the Kaliyahcka Girls' Learning Centre. None of our plans for the Learning Centre for this coming year would be possible without your support. 

Ashwini Batra

FORRAD