Volunteer Speaks!

I always feel “Education” can change the society and can uplift the underprivileged.

I had this thought in mind for my association with Jaagriti. I shared this with my college mates and got very good response. Even after their busy schedule they found time for working for this cause.

Special thanks to Angad Singh Malhan and Abhijeet Agarwal for co-ordinating everything.

Me along with Pulkit Ahuja, Pallavi Luthra, Swati Bhateja, Sakshi Mishra, Ashish Arora, Jeet(from Amity) met Anchit and Peeyush at NSIT, Dwarka.

Anchit and Peeyush explained us the whole structure of Jaagriti and also the role that we can take up. We took up our individual roles – mainly taking personality development classes for the children; Pallavi, Sakshi and Swati also taking dance classes for the girls.

We were to take care of the Sector 17 project run by Jaagriti.

The very first day when I reach the school, I had several questions in mind – as to how the children would be, how are they gone a take up the classes, are they novice and we need to teach them from the beginning, etc, etc.

Anchit introduced us to the children and the way they greeted us is simply great. Even an Englishman would wonder; the children said “Hello Bhaiya and Didi”. I felt I am going to enjoy here.

The first day we taught the children basic mathematics and then played games with them. The education of these children was really be taken well care of by Jaagriti and its volunteers as they children already knew the basic mathematics, English, Hindi and also drawing.

The girls were really interested in dancing and they are learning to dance on a song “Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya”. Meanwhile we have also completed our 4 week course structure of Drawing and colouring; and are about to start with some craft sessions.

As Pallavi, Swati and Sakshi commutes from long distances to reach Dwarka, whenever they are late, the girls always keeps on asking us “Bhaiya, aaj didi log nahi aayengi kya;humari dance classes nahi hongi kya”. This shows the real urge and keenness of the girls to learn.

We also keep on taking regular sessions on “Moral Education” and “Hygiene issues”.

There are two things that keep on fascinating me though-out my journey of around one and a half months with Jaagriti is – First, the student’s urge in learning new things and asking questions to clarify their doubts. Second, the respect they show us, it really makes us feel proud that we are able to impart the right moral educations to the students, which our country desperately needs in this fast changing world.

Thanks to all whose names I have mentioned above and also to Jaagriti for carrying out such a wonderful work. God bless you all.

Thanks,

Vivek Agarwal

Project UDAAN- her flight to freedom

Greetings from Jaagriti!

Primary school enrollment rate in India has increased over the years. However, school dropout rates continue to remain high especially among girls. The Government of India statistics reveal that only three out of ten girls who enter Grade I complete Grade X. At primary school level, over 45% of girls dropout of school and this increases to over 73% by the time the child has reached Std. X. Research shows that reasons for this dropout may be as minor as the girl child not being able to afford a dress/uniform to go to school, non availability of toilet facilities and could include more complex factors like taking on the responsibility of household chores at a very young age and caring of their younger siblings.

At Jaagriti, we have laid special emphasis on education of the gird child as we believe that education can help the girl child free herself from the cycle of poverty, social evils and fear to become a successful human being. We have initiated ‘Project UDAAN- her flight to freedom’ with the objective of supporting education of the underprivileged girl child. The program provides girls with not only academic support and guidance but also direct material in form of stationary, books and uniform.

UDAAN is a participatory project where individuals, groups and corporates are encouraged to sponsor the education of a girl child for a minimum period of one year. To become a guardian of a girl child, the cost is only Rs. 1,800/USD 45 per girl child, per year.

The cost includes:
Tuition and Classroom Fees : Rs. 1200 (@ Rs. 100 per month)
Pencils, erasers and sharpeners : Rs. 120
Notebooks : Rs. 240 (for 24 notebooks)
Books for regular studies : Rs. 240
as well as skill building classes

Sponsors receive a profile of the girl along with her photograph followed by regular Progress Reports, so that they can track the academic progress of their sponsored child. There are 21 girls, going to school as well as studying at Jaagriti centers, who need your support to continue their studies on a regular basis.

If you are interested in becoming a guardian, kindly email to anchitgoel@gmail.com or simply call @ +91-8860197400. We look forward to your kind support.

Thanks & Cheers!
Jaagriti Team

Update: RTE TASK FORCE at Jaagriti

Dear Friends,

The Right to Education (RTE) Task Force at Jaagriti touches another milestone by enrolling 45 underprivileged children into schools in the current academic year, taking the total enrolled by Jaagriti till date to 139. This includes 45 girls admitted during the current and previous academic years. The children have been admitted in nearby Government schools in Dwarka in class nursery to class VIII.

But how does it all happen?

In the beginning of every academic year, the Task Force volunteers conduct a workshop (using theater and interactive sessions) to sensitize the community about the RTE Act and motivate parents to send their children to school. After the workshop, we identify the children who can be admitted to school and in which classes. This includes children from our non-formal education centers also. The Task Force then approaches the nearby schools, consults the school authorities and helps the parents in admission.

Earlier parents found it difficult to get their children admitted into schools as the authorities did not cooperate and parents could not fulfill the documentation requirements. But now with help of Jaagriti the process has become easier as we help parents in arranging birth certificates of their children, getting the children photographed and also in filling admission forms to get their child admitted.

What next?

The admission drive will continue in the month of July once the schools reopen after summer vacations and we hope to enroll another group of 20-30 children into schools. But the work of the RTE Task Force does not end just with the admission of the children. We would also be focusing on regularly monitoring the progress of the children, ensuring there are no dropouts, and will also regularly monitor the implementation of the act through RTIs, brainstorming sessions with relevant stakeholders, visit to schools, interaction with parents and children, follow-up sessions etc.

We thank you for your continuous support to Jaagriti and its initiatives and hope to enrich more and more lives in the coming future.

Thanks and Cheers!
Anchit Goel
On behalf of the Jaagriti Team
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