V.UMA Asha for Education

V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow

REPORT on ACTIVITIES

Report Generated on : 11.03.2007

Report for the Period : 01.11.2006 to 10.03.2007

A real story of master HARI a 6 year old boy brought to Suyam from Asha Honor

In the recent telecom held at Asha honor, it was referred to Uma about master Hari from URUR KUPPAM VILLAGE school headmistress Ms.Margarate. It was complained that, the boy’s step father is a drunkard and boy is not his blood relation, he started feeding alcohol to the child from 4 months baby.

Immediately called his mother to the telecom with her son HARI and with her consent Hari brought to Suyam. After several processes, he had sent to SIRAGU and he is now in safe hands.

Would like to share some thoughts (30.01.2007) Observation: Hari is a enthusiastic guy observes the environment, listening is accurate, asking multiple questions, reserve his comments when talk about his family especially about his father and carefully answer the questions asked by us. Ex.: when he was watching TV also listening to my conversation with uma and responds uma's question asked to me.

Food habits Eager to see the normal stuff eaten here. Takes whatever given to him and also eat for second time when self and uma together sit for taking food.

Complaints He is so attached quickly with Uma and not leaving her wherever she goes. Today uma left suyam to give an awareness talk to Ethiraj college students. Hari was crying for 30 minutes and one chocolate given by me resolved the issue.

Says not willing to go to school, want to stay back in suyam itself. If we force, he blackmail us that he will go back to his house.

Outing Hari on 27th taken for a birthday party and taken to a cinema on sunday and yesterday taken to my house. When we around he is highly disciplined.

Medical treatment HARI taken to General Hospital in Central and Baby hospital in egmore but hosp department not cooperated with us for the checkup. Deputed one of our staff with him yesterday 29th Jan. V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow : 2 : today again another staff who come from SIRAGU area and took him to ESS VEE Hospital, Ambattur and shown to doctor and several tests taken today and hospital mentioned that he is having some problem in THROAT area having toughness, need for further check up again. Hari was complaining head ache every evening, hence they given tablets.

Hari where he is now After medical check up he is taken to Siragu and he is quite now, no complaints from school so far.

...... to bring this one child into a streamline, the above are the first step, there are several process to go on still in Siragu to support him become best citizen of the World being a self dependent guy ......

This is what happens to all the children in Siragu and not only siragu children but all the beneficiaries of Suyam.

We thank ASHA family for the wonderful opportunity given to us to educate a child like HARI.

SIRAGU a learning space http://www.suyam.org / http://www.siragu.org / http://www.siragukids.blogspot.com

Being POSITIVE always, we would like to share only the positive thoughts about Siragu. Difficulties, struggles and problems faced by School not highlighted here.

** The school aiming on international quality education to the poorest of the poor at local costs ** Despite of various struggles, quality not compromised in Siragu, finding various ways and means to increase the quality of innovative education to the children rather than increasing the strength. ** With positive vibrations and self motivated volunteers, teaching n non teaching staff of Siragu producing good results and keeping up their spirit in delivering the proper education to the children and all of them affectionately attached with the kids. ** At present 200 children are studying in Siragu

FOREIGN VISITORS to SIRAGU

08.01.2007 12 Students of Pacific Lutheran University, USA under the guidance of a senior India born professor over there and spent half a day there. Their curiosity to learn new things and observing the activities of Siragu and interaction with Siragu children is highly appreciable. While leaving the venue they had donated Rs.2500/- along with a magnetic story card assembling kit and also a MICROSCOPE for elder children.

Uma receiving Rs.2500/- cash from a student of Pacific Lutheran University V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow : 3 : 09.01.2007 6 Students of Graduate School of Social Work, Boston, USA visited Siragu to know about the social activities of Suyam through Siragu. They too like above students were curious about the activities performed in Siragu, observing the activities of Siragu and interaction with Siragu children is highly appreciable and also they played with children on the open ground. While leaving the venue they had donated US$ 30 as token of their love and also left with their collected books and other gifts.

On 15.01.2007 Well wishers of Suyam spread across the World now and they also throw some visits to some places and one of our well wisher from Europe celebrated PONGAL a south Indian festival with Siragu children on 15th January 2007. The amount of books, gifts, chocolates and various stuff they brought for children. Apart from this they also contributing 100 euro a month for the past 5 months.

PEACE TREE IN SIRAGU http://siragukids.blogspot.com/2007/02/peace-tree-in-siragu.html

PEACE TREE IN SIRAGU

Mitra (a filmmaker-teacher friend of the Acchor team) had asked if the kids at Siragu would build a Peace Tree if she gave them all the necessary materials and details. The Peace Tree was initially done by kids at Ontario, Canada. The kids at Siragu always love to do anything new and innovative and they are ever ready to take up creative workshops like these, especially where Peace is the issue! Uma was given the directions on Jan 31st 2007 about the kids implementing a Peace Tree at Siragu Montessori School. On the 1st of February 2007, just one day after the Siragu kids got the details, they had implemented the Peace Tree in one hour! This itself is proof that the kids are so enthusiastic about connecting with the kids across the world in a Peaceful manner. If this continues, the kids will make friends with others around the world and also influence the adults into Peace activities! The day is not far! SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN SIRAGU

SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION OF SIRAGU On 03.03.2007 http://siragukids.blogspot.com/2007/03/sports-day-celebration-at-siragu-on.html

Siragu celebrated Sports Day on 03.03.2007.

Compare to last year, this year there is more involvement of parents and teachers in the sports is the highlight of the celebration.

Children won several prizes with medals and certificates and the staff members also given gifts. Team work once again proven. V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow : 4 :

SIRAGU CHILDREN WON FIRST PRIZE IN A COMPETITION HELD AT CHENNAI & THEY COMPETE WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS ON 05.03.2007

children performing villipuattu with the concept of Clean Green Chennai

Suyam Project Co-ordinator Mr.Thandapani (right) awarded with Suchir Seva Award by CIOSA on 05.03.2007 for his outstanding performance on execution of Suyam projects in Nagapattinam, Karaikkal, Velankanni & also for his track record of social service through different NGOs

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Suyam Begun New Year 2007 with Community Development Activity. A bicycle worth Rs.2500/- donated to Mr.Sahadevan father of Siragu Child Gangadharan to start with a small business activity. For a long time he is asking for our support. We were able to stretch out to community development activity by contributing this way.

Participation in Meetings and Seminars & Awareness Programs

On 6th November 2006, Presentation given by Uma and Muthuram on “Sharing of Experiences” @ a meet organized by PRCI about social work carried out by us and the chief guest Mrs.Akhila Srinivasan of Shriram Insurance given a talk on Corporate Social Responsibility.

PRCI or PUBLIC RELATIONS COUNCIL OF INDIA -Chennai Chapter is a professional forum for PR professionals, Media, Advertising, academicians etc. We meet once in 2 months and a speaker addreses our members. PRCI in Chennai is 6months old and its value added programmes are being recognized and appreciated. It has had speakers like Garry Jacobs from Mira consultants, U.S.A. ,Mr. V, Balaraman, ex Hindustan Lever and currently C.E. O. of Adrenalin E systems, Shri, Viswanathan, Vice chancellor Anna University , Manoj Sonthalia , M.D. of Indian Express group , Mr. Prateep. Philip, D.I.G. of Police. V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow

On 30.01.2007 ETHIRAJ COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, Chennai camped at a rural village near RED HILLS and called different resource people to give their awareness talk and presentation during their 10 days camp. Uma was considered as resource person and being called on 30th January 2007, to give awareness talk on NATURAL FOOD. One day program went on well and also Siragu children performed mime show, folk dance and various cultural on the day.

OTHER PROJECTS EXECUTED BY SUYAM

Partnering with other NGOs

SUYAM - AKANKSHA program An ongoing project at Pazhaverkadu area in 3 different models.

1. Classes conducted at Govt School 2. Classes conducted at local centres. 3. Student Follow Up Program A detailed report follows

1. In Government schools

SSA programme performed in Minjur block during 2005-06 was helpful to target on school dropouts and able to create a good rapport with the children. Continued even this year 2006-07 have taken up SSA program.

The teachers appointed by Suyam for the SSA program are the same appointed for Suyam Akanksha program and hence children were easily moved with the teachers.

This program helpful to remove school fobia among children and they started showing interest towards regular schooling.

Compare to the regular students of the school, children trained through this program also able to compete with them and shown their excellence. This become highly motivating factor and strengthening the project.

Suyam trained children developed more creative skills hence their performance in the schools were highlighted.

Aid India program “PADIPPUM INIKKUM” taken by Suyam in Minjur block brought more impact among children in developing children’ Reading skills. Suyam further took step to adopt more methods to develop even “Writing skills”.

Approximately a Suyam supported teacher handles approximately 250 children in one school and have 12 centres run in 12 Govt. schools handling 3000 students.

Through our program we were able to bring good development in Reading & Writing Skills with good amount comprehension among 10% of 3000 children. V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow

Many children resist thinking on creative aspects and stuck with normal pattern of school education system. Trying hard to motivate more number of children and teachers through our program, we hope in future which will bring more improvements.

2. In Local center:

As we mentioned earlier, only some percentage of children rejoined the schools those who were accessing our AIE centers run under SSA program.

Children not turned out to schools were still hesitant to go to school and those targeted in the local centers run by Suyam under Akanksha program.

At present 4 centers are functioning locally in the houses of teachers and accessed by 16-18 children in each centre. Program was initiated in June 2006 and continued still January 2007. From February 2007 the classes will be conducted in the schools itself like other 13 centers as mentioned above.

The four centers

Chinnamangodu Sathan kuppam Karungali Korai kuppam

Classes were conducted with the designed curriculum of Suyam and aimed on bringing up basic skills, creative skills and develop their thinking abilities.

3. Student Follow up program

Whilst on successful functioning of SSA program and Akanksha programs, we were approached by some students and requested us to help them to write X std exams with coaching classes.

The coaching classes are conducted for the benefit of the students who are eligible for writing 10 th std examinations. These students will be appearing in exams as private candidates in 2007-08.

On 16th October 2006 distributed X Std Guides to 9 students and also arranged for Special Coaching Classes in a nearby tutorial. Report dtd.16.10.2006 enclosed separately. Students’ strength is increased to nearly 21. We will send a detailed report in next phase with recent updates. (this particular item is repeated again here and details of this program already sent to AFE in our report for April-Oct’06)

SUYAM - AID INDIA SUYAM – PRANIC HEALING FOUNDATION OF TAMILNADU TEACHER SUPPORT PROGRAM NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT

SUYAM executed a project “Teacher Support Program” in Nagapattinam District

With the funding support of AID INDIA, appointed 20 teachers in almost 17 schools in Nagapattinam District. V.UMA Asha for Education Asha Fellow The project at first commenced with the funding support of PRANIC HEALING FOUNDATION OF TAMILNADU with 4 teachers appointed in 4 Schools. : 7 :

In total 24 teachers got employment opportunity and more than 20 schools benefited out of the program and more than 1500 students are the direct beneficiaries and indirectly more than 10000 students.

Both the projects are successful and going on well.

OTHER PROJECTS EXECUTED BY SUYAM

There are several other activities also performed by Suyam

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS OF SUYAM HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES COUNSELING PROGRAMS & ADVOCACY SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abyan)

= to be continued =