|
As we all know that there are many changes in Aid-Prays Noida mainly categorizing children according to their requirements and expectations. We have separate classes for children who are studying in Nayi-Disha and children who are of younger age and have just started studying. Then we have weekend classes mainly for children who are in age range of 10-14 ( with 1-2 exception ). These children have basic and rudimentary knowledge of Hindi, Mathematics and English. But we really don't have concrete plan or roadmap for them. For example :- we are confused when we ask ourselves what we want to teach them and why? or for that matter what we expect them from 1 year or 2 years down the lane.
We had few weekend discussion sessions in which we exchanged ideas and opinions on road map for weekend classes. Few points that we agree on :- 1> these children should have enough knowledge of mathematics so that they can perform calculation required in daily life. 2> they should have basic knowledge of english. And 3> they should be aware of their surrounding and should have idea whats happening around them. Therefore, we decide to develop a curriculum catering to their needs. Amit, Sugandha and Kavita have teken the responsibility to do document the curriculum with help of others volunteers and members. Other than that, Kanan suggested that, with education, we can also provide children some vocational skills such as sewing, handicraft or any skills that could help them economically.
At the beginning of the month only 3-4 children were coming although we had name of 15 children in register. Upon investigation we found that around 4 students had gone to their village . We personally talked to the rest of the children and motivated them to attend weekend classes. Currently 8-9 students are attending weekend classes. We are expecting this number to go high as our action will be more streamlined over the time.
We were also joined by three new volunteers: Amit, Kavita and Sugandha who are dedicated and showing concern for our cause. Please welcome them in our "AID" family. Nikhil |
|
|
On our meeting after putting up the children of Prayas into Nai Disha, we came up with an initiation of starting evening classes for the rest of the children who are beginners. We also decided to start with Eureka Methodology of teaching for the children. Me and Nikunj took the responsibility of teaching children with Eureka kit from 7-8.30 on alternate days. Nikunj has taken the lead of spearheading the entire class in my absence too. There are currently 15 children whom we’ve profiled and we’ve decided to stick to those 15 children. Preliminary classes with the kit have started and the vowels stage have been successfully taught with focus on phonetics. There are more fun activities carried out with the children while learning. We’ve decided to make the learning more joyful by telling stories, playing games and making groups among themselves and in a month time we’ve been able to observe a few changes in the children. Hoping to see more. Selva |
|
|
It was a great scene at the Prayas class inside the community on 15th March 2008. The early morning rush in the narrow pathway of the community apart, there were some bright faced parents who were eager to send their children along. A special mention was the look on Afsana's mother -Naimudin Shah, who had a glow on her face as if she was climbing a NASA Space Shuttle. A total of 32 children came along with us for the picnic. The kids were all dressed up and ready to go on a day of learning and fun. Gudia in a bright lovely yellow frock with red frills and a matching top, glowed with that beautiful smile of her. She surely was my favourite. But, every one of our children was rearing to enjoy this day and every one of them a special little star in our eyes. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Prayas is on right direction. Children are in a stage where they are understanding and also becoming more disciplined, Children are very enthusiastic about Hindi writing and reading, though there are few special children (like Gudiya ,Ruby dolly ) for whom we should think specially so that will also take more interest in learning . One big achievement for this month is that we somehow manage to restart the night classes for those children who have been identified to go to NAYI-DISHA School from coming session.Kavita, Suby, Ishrat, Saabreen, Sona, Sajjad, Zulekha ,Afsana (not sure she will go or not )Hina,Reena,Sabnam,Chanda and Rahul are attending the classes .we are trying to emphasize on English and Mathematics .Vikas brought a Globe for children and we taught them about Earth ,Sun Moon etc .In all night classes are running good ,Vikas and Kanan are giving good support to me . Apart from night classes weekend classes are going good as usual. Children are very much enthusiastic and performed during Republic Day. Anuradha, Divsha, Neha, Ruchi Nikhil Anand and Rajat had a session with them for Republic day programs earlier. We had a meeting with Nayi Disha management and they are ready to get our children admitted in their school, so our next Goal is to prepare the children for test and admission Nayi Disha. - Darshan Mehra Coordinator, AID Prayas -
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
9818361122 |
|
|
 AID Prayas The month of December was pretty dynamic as far as Prayas is concerned. It seemed as if the passing year was mocking us, of our dormant state and we replied in vengeance. Winter it seems is inspiring us. Well, we have experimented a lot and found it to be a progression!
Kudos to the all the active volunteers! Our achievements for the same have come through a rigorous brain-storming, and high commitment levels
of so many people. Lets me Take things Point-wise · We now have a class which looks like it (unlike the unregulated bunch we had for a class!). By this, I mean that after we individually tried the Eureka model (at times, not very successfully), and divided the kids into 3 categories, we found that almost every kid is lacking the recognition skills when it comes to reading and writing the language. So, we started taking up a class for Hindi-Matras (Darshan single-handedly is managing that very beautifully!); irrespective of the kid’s earlier standing. Collectively, its working fine for the kids- they are better off. · A few more classes to go and they will be good at recognizing the Hindi words. Of course, we have exceptions, but they can be taken care of! It will be a major achievement given the fact that most of these kids didn’t even know about where and why matras should be used.
· We got a new White Board for ourselves. Thanks to Atul! We started using Charts and ended up getting a White board for ourselves. We have put it up on the wall as well, it’s really helpful. Guess, the kids are really excited about it. · Notebooks and Pencils were distributed. Yeah, we aren’t leaving any stone unturned! Well, we don’t make excuses; do we? All the kids were given notebooks for the work they do in the class, which they submit back before leaving. That’s going to help us keep track. · Motivating strategies. To motivate the kids to be regular and take this whole business seriously, we take regular attendance and make sure we ask the absent kid (next time) about the reason of absence. As an added attraction we introduced a prize to the most regular kid.
Since, we have geared up, there are many new faces which have rejoined us, and example is Akbar. And yes, I am really glad that Afsana is still a regular in spite of her job.
· New Focus. We are not only working on the Hindi language and matras but recently our focus has been caught by a newer dimension, i.e. Making the kids express about what they feel, be able to put their stuff into words. This concept is relatively recent, not much work has been done on it, and suggestions by all the readers are invited. We made each of the kids
to speak about them - family, liking etc. This session was a real eye-opener, wherein we got to know that they have so many siblings; that getting attention from parents might just be a dream for them..But, at least all of kids spoke, some of them for the first time.
Ultimate Aim - We are looking towards making serious amends to the existing scenario, which would mean.- A full-time Teacher be dedicated to the kids (salaried, of course!). It has become almost a priority. If anyone f you know of someone who can live up to the responsibility, we will like you to recommend the name.
- Currently, we are inclined towards sending some of the deserving kids to a regular school (read Nayi Disha). We’ll be identifying the kids who can be groomed for it (in a matter of 3months); also the feasibility of the whole subject, which includes permissions from the school, as well as the parents permission for letting their children go that far. This is a far-fetched goal, no plans so far only a vision which has to be developed!
Ruchi AID Prayas
|
|
|
Two years of inception of PRAYAS has seen a lot of different people coming in, changing objectives & even more engaging children turning up to study. Today a set of 25 children have been put to school ,a small achievement for our team, but still a considerable point of
change in the CHILDREN's life. This month at Prayas due to the festive season being around, many of our key FRIENDS were missing. But, we did celebrate DIWALI with the children, with a small evaluation of their knowledge levels through a test paper. This was followed up by a dance party, with the floor taken over by Nikhil & Arun with Sabreen & Ishrat taking female leads ;) A fun day which we all enjoyed.
We are looking for new & old FRIENDS of PRAYAS to join us and support us in this project in the smallest of ways. Even if you have not been active with PRAYAS, you still have done a great thing by being part of the team. We request you to help in small ways that you can, through - A Meal A Month Grant for Prayas, or with being available on request for volunteer support.
We are looking for FRIENDS who can engage with children for:
1. Tell a Moral story & engage the children ( Once a Month with the Children ) - 2 FRIENDS
2. Manage a nutrition program - A training & review program for managing nutrition& health and vaccination history of the children. - 2 FRIENDS
3. Sing a song or train children on a musical instrument ( Specific child will be selected for this ) - 1 FRIEND
Finally we just want to say that every bit of effort that we put is a commited & directed effort. The children expect a lot from us & if we do not deliver its a failure from our end. We invite you to be with us and be a FRIEND & DOSTH to our children @ PRAYAS.
Prayas classes venue has been shifted to a room inside the community at Nayabans, Sec 16 NOIDA, and timings will be from: SATURDAY : 4.30 to 6.30 pm / SUNDAY : 3.00 to 5.00 pm. Please check with Arun - 9910908774 / Darshan - 9818361122 for any information about Prayas.
Mastify Life ;)
Friends @ PRAYAS : Anuradha, Neha, Ruchi, Sudha, Sruthi, Arun, Anand,
Darshan, Kanan, Nikhil, Raj, Rajat Arun Raj
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
