Anandi Newsletter – Reaching the Unreached
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai is a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. With the relaxation of Covid restrictions and return of students to schools, it was found that the students were suddenly facing an uphill task to understand concepts at the higher school class, as they had missed key prerequisites which were supposed to be covered in a lower class. To address this new challenge to the education system, a team at HBCSE started Anandi, (meaning joyous or blissful) – an 8-page, full colour, newsletter from January 2022 that was sent to 35+ schools from different districts of Maharashtra reaching 4000 students. Samatvam Trust has contributed Rs 5 lakhs towards this endeavour.
Feed a Child, Nurture the Future
Antyodoy Anath Ashram, situated at Paunsi, Midnapore district, West Bengal founded by Balram Jhakar, rehabilitates destitute children and provides them with food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, education and vocational training.
In continuance with the support given to the Ashram the last financial year, Samatvam Trust has committed to contribute Rs 50,000 per month for 12 months to Antyodoy Anath Ashram, to meet the nutrition needs of the children.
Equipping the Teacher
Tamil Nadu Science Forum has been working for more than 40 years in Tamil Nadu for the promotion of scientific thinking through activities and dissemination of information through seminars and workshops. Currently various types of training programs are being conducted for teachers to transform learning into an exciting, enriching experience. The training is being conducted with a focus on mathematics, science and language through activities, games and other innovative teaching techniques. Samatvam Trust has donated a sum of around Rs 7 lakhs towards this endeavour of Tamil Nadu Science Forum.
Pavement Pathashalas
Jajabor Foundation, an organization in West Bengal, works with street children. They conceived a program to give these children technical and computer science education and teach them about hardware and software, Photoshop, Tally software and Microsoft Office, so that they can find a livelihood to secure their future. They also want to start craft classes to enhance the creative skills of these children. It is this endeavour of Jajabor Foundation that Samatvam Trust has supported by donating a sum of Rs 2.5 lakhs.
Providing lifespan services to individuals with special needs
V-Excel Educational Trust is a registered Public Charitable Trust, based in Chennai. The organization’s objectives are to provide lifespan services, education, resources and opportunities for social inclusion to individuals with special needs. Samatvam Trust has donated a sum of Rs 4 lakhs towards the activities of V-Excel Educational Trust.
Communication Skills Program
Project Kana organised by Rotary Club of Guindy, Chennai, in association with Aram Porul Foundation, Chennai, launched an English Speaking and Communication Skills program for under-graduate students in Adi Dravidar hostels, Chennai. The project will be implemented by Aram Porul Foundation for 250 girl students. The main objective of the project is to improve the Communicative English skills of the underprivileged students staying in Adi Dravida Girls Hostel, Vepery, Chennai.
Making a Difference
Akshya Pratisthan is one of the prime institutions in New Delhi that provides inclusive education and caters to children with disabilities and challenges. Their mission is to create an inclusive, barrier free, right-based society, where people with challenges are treated with dignity; in the spirit of equality and social justice, so as to enable them to live with confidence and dignity. In continuance with the support given in the last financial year, Samatvam Trust has committed a sum of Rs 5 lakhs to Akshya Pratisthan in the financial year 2022-2023.
Supplementing Formal Education
All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) is a network of over forty People’s Science organizations spread all over the country. During the Covid -19 pandemic, schools were closed and a vast number of children, especially children from marginalized sections were out of any form of education. AIPSN set up Community Learning Centers (CLCs) to provide an alternative to engage children in learning activities. The CLCs set up during the pandemic are now functioning to supplement the formal education system and engage the children in creative learning activities through alternative pedagogies aimed at enhancing cognitive growth, problem-solving abilities and critical thinking, as well as socio-culturally rooted learning, thus giving them greater confidence and enhancing their psycho-social well-being.
Samatvam Trust has contributed a sum of Rs 16.5 lakhs towards these Community Learning Centers in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Stocking the Library
Samatvam Trust provided support to Shivani Welfare Foundation and Smile India Foundation in setting up a library for children in order to encourage and sustain a reading habit among children. The library was furbished with poetry books, books on science, general knowledge and works of fiction and non-fiction.
Sanitation, Health & Hygiene Camp
Samatvam Trust organised Health and Hygiene Camps which covered 360 girls and 50 women at 5 different centres in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. As part of the the programme, the women and girls were informed about menstrual health and hygiene through a video. This was followed by an interactive question-answer session. Through these camps, we made an effort to create awareness among women and sensitize them about sanitation, the use of sanitary napkins and disposal of menstrual waste and aspects of health and nutrition.
Empowering Girls
Encouraged by the success of Phase 1 of the project ‘My Skills My Life’,
Samatvam Trust decided to support Phase 2 of this program. This phase seeks to go beyond Phase 1, in that it seeks to equip the girls with life skills like self-defence, first-aid, knowledge of banking procedures, access to legal aid, complaints/FIR lodging procedures etc. An attempt would be made to mobilize, organize and create a platform for the girls to meet and interact with successful women entrepreneurs/leaders. The girls will be exposed to different of employment and given the requisite information about each source of livelihood.
Empowering the Teaching-Learning Process
Eklavya seeks to empower teaching-learning processes at all levels – formal government structure to collaborative self-initiated spaces. This has prompted them to propose a sustained engagement with the teaching community through a process of critical dialogue, collaborative learning and action. Eklavya has designed 4 courses over a period of 2 years (November 2022 to October 2024) entitled – ‘Creating Learning Opportunities for Teachers’; in order to build capacities in teachers and enable them to enhance their classroom interaction and engagement.
Health Camps in Chennai Schools
Samatvam Trust sponsored a couple of health camps in association with Rotary Club of Chennai, Riviera at Alandur Municipal School and PSBB School, Chennai.
Gynecologists, Dr. Chitra and Dr. Akshaya addressed the girls and emphasized the importance of good health, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene.
Towards Computer Education
Samatvam Trust has supported Smile India Trust in setting up a computer lab in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The Computer Laboratory is equipped with 5 desktops with the latest processor, Windows 10, and other Computer peripherals.
The aim of this program is to provide Computer and Soft Skills training to underprivileged youth and help them with placement services. The instructor is a certified Microsoft trainer, holds a Masters in Computer Applications and has been part of the faculty of National Institute of Technology, Delhi for over 8 years.
Helping Girls Get to School
Samatvam Trust has sponsored the tuition fee of 25 girls from RCS Modern School, Noida. The School Tuition Sponsorship Program aims to help girls who come from economically underprivileged families to ensure that they complete secondary school.
It is the dream of every child to go to school with a brand new bag slung across the shoulder, which is equipped with stationery. Our Trust went a little way in fulfilling this dream for 160 children by giving them an educational kit which contained a school bag, notebooks, a geometry box and a lunch box.
