Enable 100 low-income girls to complete graduation

Udayan Shalini Fellowship (USF), one of the unique programmes of Udayan Care that aims to promote and support higher education for girls from disadvantaged background to develop them into dignified independent young women. The fellowship ensures that the lives of the girls do not succumb to monetary hardships and they do not give away their most cherished dream to think big and make a mark for themselves. However, USF is not just envisaged as a monetary assistance programme but rather as a holistic programme of sustained mentoring support and association. The growth is fostered with continued association of mentoring, motivational workshops, and development of socially responsible behavior through awareness drives. The fellowship stands different because of its pyramidal mentoring.

The months were filled with series of activities which included Quarterly Workshop on Decision Making- An essential life skill which helped them to take certain difficult decisions of their lives whether personal or professional then a refreshing session on Meditation and Yogic Exercises helped them relieve their stress. Small group workshop on leadership gave fellows the required qualities and the confidence to act as a leader. The ongoing mentor mentee meet help fellows sort out their queries with their respective mentor didis.

II. Details of Progress during Reporting Period:

S.No.

Activities Undertaken During the Reporting Period

Results

QUARTERLY WORKSHOP

DATE:

9^th April’ 2017

FACILITATOR:

Mr Ashish 

Core Committee Member

THEME:

Decision Making- An essential life skill

VENUE:

Mahavir Senior Model School

PROCESS OF THE WORKHOP

It was an honor for us to have Mr Ashish , one of our eminent resource people with us to teach our Shalinis the essential life skill of decision making. Decision making forms the most important part of our every one’s life and this is something which is required at every stage of life. Facilitator talked that taking decisions is about daring in life. He started the session by discussing six attributes of Decision making which are:

1. STAND – One needs to take a stand on his decision.
2. SUSTAIN – You have to take responsibility of your decision to make it sustainable.
3. CHANGE – It signifies that we have something to change and any decision results in the change in ourselves as well as in the surroundings.
4. SURPRISE – The new decision surprises everyone in our known.
5. SOLVE – Decision making gives you the ability to solve the problem which has been bothering you since long.
6. ENHANCEMENT – Decision making multiplies your options.

Facilitator spoke about two circles – one is circle of influence which focuses on our own selves, our own performance and the other is circle of Concern which talks about our surroundings.

Moving towards the end of the session, facilitator talked about the decision impact analysis and divided the impact of a decision into five parts. These are:

1. Self- One should give 40% weightage to one own self while making a decision as we are the main stakeholder.
2. Self+ - This forms 20% of a decision impact. This is our immediate family members who are affected by our decision.
3. Known Circle – This accounts for 15 % and they include our neighbors, etc.
4. Social Circle – This forms another 15% and includes our friend’s mother, friend’s brother, shopkeeper, etc.
5. General View – This accounts for last 10% and includes our general public.

CONCLUSIVE OUTCOME:

• Fellows could understand the circle of influence and how one need to give priority to it to have an effective decision making.
• Fellows realized the importance of self happiness in taking a decision and how to prioritize different factors in life to take an effective decision.
• Fellows learnt about the six attributes which are important in decision making capability.
• Increased confidence and enthusiasm was seen in the fellows through this workshop. 

SMALL GROUP WORKSHOP/MENTOR – MENTEE MEET

DATE:

2^nd April ’17

FACILITATOR:

Meenakshi (Senior Trainer), Vishal, Kavita, Ayush

Yoga Prana Vidya

THEME:

Meditation and Yogic exercises

PROCESS OF THE WORKHOP:

The session was taken by Ms Meenakshi, Senior Trainer and her team from Yoga Prana Vidya organization who talked about mental peace, meditation and forgiveness. She started the session by asking the fellows “What is stress? How many types does it have?” Fellows shared that a little stress is required for us to perform well but when it increases it affects our mental well-being. Facilitator then told them how this stress in us radiates in our surroundings from our body and affects others also and vice versa so we need to relive our stress.

She compared stress with energy which cannot be destroyed or created but can be transferred so through meditation we will transform our stress into calmness and peace. Facilitator taught meditational exercises and how to relax ourselves from our stress. She then talked about forgiveness which is very important for a person to grow. Thus she taught forgiveness prayer to all fellows so that we create peace in the surroundings and forgive the person who has caused hurt to us or vice versa. Session moved towards the discussion of the aura - a layer which surrounds our body. She discussed that our body has a crown centre from where we receive blessings from the environment and heart centre helps in radiating that blessing into the surroundings. End of the session was marked by performing an act to feel the energy radiating from these centers.

CONCLUSIVE OUTCOME:

The session had great impact on fellows. They felt too relaxed after doing meditation and left their stress behind. They learnt how they can convert their negative stress and positive stress.

Some quotes shared by fellows:

“I had a great experience. We mostly pray for ourselves but today I prayed for others also, it gave me immense pleasure. I learnt that stress can be converted into something positive too. We can have control over our anger. Thanks for the whole session” – USF Ankur (Batch 13)

“Today, I was thinking to go to some peaceful, a place full of greenery to feel good and calm but after attending this workshop, I got my mental peace, I feel so fresh, all my negative thoughts have just vanished away”- Neha Gupta (Batch14)

SMALL GROUP WORKSHOP/MENTOR – MENTEE MEET

DATE:

7^th May ’17

FACILITATOR:

Richa & Ritika

THEME:

Leadership

PROCESS OF THE WORKHOP:

Facilitator started the workshop by defining the term leader and leadership. Leader is somebody who guides a group of people and leadership is organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. She emphasized that unless and until a leader does not have a goal for his/her team, he/she can never be a good leader.

Moving further she discussed about the components of Leadership which are as follows-:

1. Values - Beliefs we learn from childhood from our family, society, tradition etc. Eg: Integrity, Faith, Responsibility, Selflessness, etc.
2. Attitudes - It’s a combination of what we are and what we learn that makes us behave appropriately. Eg: Positive Thinking, Passion, Committed, etc.
3. Skills - Knowledge and abilities a person gains throughout life. Eg: Competence, Communication, Decisiveness, etc.

Facilitator explained the qualities of a leader by comparing it with the character of Bhuvan (played by Aamir Khan) in the movie ‘LAGAAN’. Various lessons of leadership which fellows learnt from the movie were as follows:

1. A leader should always think of problems as opportunities and should never give up in any case.
2. Dream big, define the goals and share the goals with people who are involved in it. Leader should be able to communicate well to the team.
3. Leader should always put community before self.
4. Be determined in the face of opposition. If you think that decision is right you should always support despite facing the opposition from others.
5. Give examples to enhance understanding like Bhuvan compared cricket game with gilli danda in the movie in order to explain the villagers.
6. Do not brood over your decisions and make a beginning. Only when we close the door behind us will we see the doors in front start opening.
7. Build your team and allocate them their roles.
8. Appreciate the small wins of the team.
9. Leader should support their team every time.
10. Leader has to be passionate about the goal and his/ her body actions should always reflect self confidence.
11. Leader should also be able to make the best use of the resources available. One cannot always wait for the perfect tools or for the availability of infinite resources.
12. Always be ready to face the challenges. The answer is not trying to escape from them but to stand there and let the actions do the talking.

Facilitator concluded the workshop by saying that when situation arises we all can do extra ordinary things and can be leader in their own way. We just have to bring out the hidden potential inside which has been long forgotten.

CONCLUSIVE OUTCOME:

• Fellows learnt about the components of Leadership.
• Fellows were able to understand the leadership qualities.

SMALL GROUP WORKSHOP/MENTOR – MENTEE MEET

DATE:

4^th June ’17

FACILITATOR:

Mr. Joga  (YPV Certified Trainer and Healer), Priti  and Meenakshi 

THEME:

Meditation Techniques and Planetary Peace Meditation                                          

PROCESS OF THE WORKHOP:

In today’s stressful life days, mental health needs to be taken care of for leading a balanced life. Thus, the workshop was designed keeping in mind the relevance of meditation and to make fellows understand the techniques of meditation.

Facilitator took an orientation session on importance of Mediation. He also talked about mental peace which helps us in enhancing our self-growth and makes us feel empowered. It makes our relation better.

Facilitator further explained techniques of meditation to make our mind sharper which is called Super Yoga. He explained that Super Yoga is an effective technique that activates the brain and sustains brain health.  Facilitator taught the importance of Planetary Peace Meditation. Via Planetary peace meditation one can get rid from negative emotions which destroys our happiness and inner peace. Therefore, it is important to learn techniques of Planetary Peace Meditation so that one can connect from positive universal power. He also explained knowledge about Spiritual Technology and recognize Divine Self.

Facilitator taught some techniques of Yoga. Additionally, he explained the benefits of these techniques which will be helpful in self-realization and internal purification. Towards the end, he informed about upcoming event on Spiritual Growth and Life Transforming. Priti Jain added “why it is necessary to join it? Also she explained the important highlights of the event.  The session culminated with the taking feedback to ensure the understanding on discussed points.

CONCLUSIVE OUTCOME:

• Fellows had a better understanding on meditation techniques which in turn helped them to attain satisfaction and helped them in their self-realization.
• Fellows were able to get rid of their negative thoughts and were able to connect to universal power through planetary peace meditation.

DATE:

2^nd April ’17

MENTOR – MENTEE MEET

As this was the time of exams for many fellows. They discussed their problems related to their subjects with their mentors. Fellows were seen learning the supply demand graph from their mentors. Fellows shared about the workshop which they attended on meditation and how relaxed and calm they feel after attending it.

During the interaction session with mentee’s the fellows were asked about their individual experiences of workshop and how now they perceive stress in their lives. Fellows shared about the meditation techniques which they learnt during the workshop to handle their stress.

Fellows also shared lighter moments with their mentors. They talk about their college activities. Mentors suggested their mentees about some books to read and to discuss about it the next time.

OUTCOME:

• Fellows could clear their doubts and learn different ways to study for their exams.
• Fellows learnt value of their mental health being.

DATE:

7^th May ’17

MENTOR – MENTEE MEET

We introduced a new system this time of Mentor didi buddies. Fellows who are about to pass out and will take on the responsibility of Mentor didis in future will sit with the present mentor didis to observe the process so that they are able to take the responsibility smoothly.

Fellows just had their exams over and then they were quite excited about their upcoming residential camp which is scheduled in one month’s time. Mentees asked their respective mentors about the residential camp and the activities which are conducted there. Mentees were very excited to take part in the camp activities and were ready to share their responsibilities to be done at the camp. Mentors asked their mentees about their future plans which they have as their exams are over now. Fellows who have now entered class XII have their extra classes now and the ones who were through with their board exams are now thinking of the career options to pursue further and are preparing for entrance exams.

Mentors asked the fellows about their favorite subjects and how do they plan their studies. And an answer came up saying that we do group study to cover our topics to which the mentor asked “Do you think group study helps or does it result more in wastage of time?” One of the mentees said, “It helps a lot as we divide different topics and then explain them to each other”. Mentor asked if some members are not serious in the group then what can you do. Another answered that we can have games like puzzles to invoke interest of other members or can make studies interesting by adapting any other game.

OUTCOME:

Mentees were motivated to attend the residential camp as it would be a life time opportunity for them.

DATE:

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