Enable 100 low-income girls to complete graduation

Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program (USF)

With an aim to develop the overall personality of our Udayan Shalini Fellows, Udayan Care organized a quarterly workshop to hone their communication skills.

The workshop was organized by Amex Team on 13^th July 2014. The major focus of the workshop was on enhancing the communication skills of the participants attending it. It was not only about communication but rather effective communication and the practical aspects for improvement.

Among the many different aspects of communication the major discussions took place on the following aspects:

• Seven C’s of effective communication
• Role of verbal and non verbal communication
• Common mistakes in verbal communication.
• Tips to enhance usage of nonverbal communication.

The facilitator used videos and plays to explain what you shouldn't do while communicating. For each of the trait like “not keeping eye contact” the facilitator discussed the role and impact subsequently. While the workshop began with facilitator’s explanation and discussion, the fellows started sharing their personal experiences where they figured out their strengths and weakness in communicating.

Further Amex team also performed an engaging skit “Bolo bolo par theek se bolo” (Communicate but communicate well) depicting the role of effective communication and the flaws that are commonly made as part of communication.

DELHI INDUCTION 2014

The programme has now spread its reach in schools located in South Delhi as well. We received more than 650 applications from all over Delhi from varying backgrounds ranging from resettlement colonies to slum clusters. Out of these, the shortlisted applicants appeared for the written test which was their first step for the selection process on the basis of NAT. The written test was set to evaluate them on their knowledge, general awareness and awareness of social issues.

After conducting the home visits in both north and south Delhi, 100 bright girls were shortlisted to be inducted as Shalinis in a grand ceremony to be scheduled for October.

The reach of the programme has widened with greater presence in South Delhi. A major accomplishment of the programme is the letter of permission from Directorate of Education received for South Delhi schools that supported in reaching out to the schools as well as added value to the programme.

USF ALUMNAE MEETING

USF Alumnae got together to elect the members for different posts –president, vice-president, joint secretary, treasurer, executive members for the new term of Udayan Shalini Fellowship Alumnae Association. Before the actual selection of future office bearers the members present discussed about the functioning of the Association along with the course of action. Archana Kumari from batch 6 gave her nomination for the post of president and all those present approved of her name.

OUTCOME

• Participation of Gurgaon fellows made the workshop unique and a way towards networking of different chapters providing opportunity and exposure for learning.
• The workshop saw equal and active participation of the facilitators as well as the fellows. More than a form of workshop, the sessions were exchange of experiences where fellows shared willingly about their flaws and achievements in the domain of communication.
• The visual medium of conducting workshop (PowerPoint presentation and videos) enhanced the effectiveness creating greater impact on the minds of the fellows.
• The small group discussions post the main workshop helped participants to come up with their queries in a more open and comfortable manner and seek suggestions that might not have been possible in bigger groups.

USF’S SUCCESS STORY:

There is something extraordinary which sets Jyoti Bhatia apart from other donors which is that she not a part of the Udayan family as a donor but as our own Udayan Shalini fellow. Inducted as a part of the 3^rd batch of 126 girls, she was a shy but bright student. Supported by modest family earnings and Udayan Care’s Shalini Fellowship, all she ever dreamt of was to become a teacher one day. This motivated her to pursue her goal.

She completed her elementary teacher training course and began her teaching career in 2008. After gaining the initial years of experience she joined Sarvodaya Kanya Vidalaya. Here, moving in the corridors that resembled her own school, she was motivated even more to reach out to the students. Today she comes across as a confident young teacher and is a role model for many.

Jyoti’s feat becomes even more special because she has not been a passive recipient of what life has given her. She started contributing as a donor to Udayan Care in 2012 and has unfailingly done so for three continuous years. When asked about what motivated her to donate she answered “The Udayan Shalini Pledge administered about 10 years ago reminds me each day to give back”. The desire to give back still sparkles bright in her eyes when she donates that cheque of Rs 10,000 which is a part of her hard-earned money. Her journey reflects nothing but what a true Shalini would aspire to be someday.