Australian Volunteers

In October, the students had a wonderful time with the American Embassy school Volunteers in Jodhpur. We will be having five professionals from Melbourne, Australia who have taken time from work during this Christmas and New year to spend time with the children of five Government schools in Jodhpur, Pali and Jalore districts of Rajasthan. The highlight of the trip will be, a three day sports and educational programme the first of its kind organised during this winter vacations at Government school in Pali district. We look forward for a memorable and fulfilling trip.

Jugal’s Story… Change Does Not Have to Take Long…

Jugal is a silent student. He is good in all the subjects but not in English. He could not even answer in the class, but he was curious and determined to learn English. He joined the summer camp 2009 organised by HOPE worldwide in Pali District, Rajasthan. That was the turning point in his learning. He never missed a class; he was so inspired by the methods used by the HOPE staff in teaching spoken English that he encouraged his older brother to join. It is said that every change takes time but in Jugal’s case it was not true. Jugal’s change was so obvious that even his school teachers were surprised. Jugal now does not just understand and speak English but he also helps the other students. Jugal is thankful to HOPE worldwide for being his inspiration... His ambition is to study for the I.A.S (Indian Administrative Services). May his dream come true…

Jugal with Ramesh Sharma(HOPE staff)

What a little encouragement can do…

Dinesh always looked very serious; a smile on his face was very rare. He is a 6th standard student. He is the youngest in his family of six children.

Last summer Dinesh enrolled himself in the summer camp organised by HOPE worldwide. He enjoyed the activities like drawing and painting, craft, outdoor and indoor games but when it was time to learn, read, and do homework or merely write down from the blackboard he was not good at that. Dinesh’s sisters were also coming for the summer camp but they were doing better. The HOPE teachers would interact with the students during their lunch break to counsel, inspire and encourage them to do better. Dinesh mentioned that it was difficult for him to concentrate as he was insecure and scared of being punished. He wanted to do well in his class but he was not able to. The HOPE teachers encouraged him in small things. They would use encouraging words like “ neat and clean work; nice spelling, good work, great job”. Recently in the class tests he scored 8 out of 10. The encouragement has helped him to do well in other subjects also. Even the other government teachers started noticing the difference. It has helped him to understand his weaknesses and help others who are like him. Now he is among the good students in the class and he smiles more often.

Dinesh with Roseleen(HOPE staff)

Mistakes make us better

Vikram is a student of class seven, in Govt Secondary School Maderna Colony, and he desires to study well. His father, a taxi driver, has no time to help Vikram. Vikram respects his father for the way he provides for his family. Unable to understand and no one to guide him though, he started disturbing the class while the teachers taught lessons. He was very scared to answer for fear he would make mistakes and be laughed at. He started attending the spoken English classes conducted by HOPE worldwide in the school. He noticed that they were encouraged to answered and taught mainly through spoken exercises. He started enjoying the exercises and was no longer worried about making mistakes. It helped him to understand that making mistakes only made him better. Now he can make his own sentences and is well behaved in the class.

Vikram is very happy that he is learning English and he is thankful to HOPE worldwide, for we helped him to understand the importance of making mistakes. (Inset: Vikram and Sukanya(HOPE staff)).

HOPE worldwide Rajasthan - American Embassy School Volunteer Programme - October 2009

American Embassy School

American Embassy School’s (New Delhi) 16 students and two chaperones volunteered with HOPE worldwide Jodhpur. The four day programme was scheduled in two of the Govt schools were HOPE worldwide is currently teaching. The volunteers took various sessions teaching Rhymes, Spoken English, Craft, Interactive indoor games and concluded by a sports day event between both the schools. During the programme the volunteers also visited student’s families, painted and beautified both the schools. This programme was a beautiful platform for cultural exchange as the volunteers were of various countries, the school children never experienced any foreigner interacting with them, and thus helped in building their confidence and developing social skills. This was the first time in the history of these schools that the sports event at the school level was conducted in a stadium. All the students were overjoyed and expressed to have similar events more frequently.

Comments from the volunteers:-

“It was excellent well planned and so informative a real insight to many of the lives in Rajasthan, I had so much fun teaching the students at the school and visiting students houses was the best part of the trip”. - Ms. Sherrie Williams

“ I had fantastic first experience with HOPE worldwide. It was great teaching and getting to know all the kids, visiting student’s houses was insightful” - Ms. Noor Ambika.

“The experience was overall very good and it was great to get to know the kids and the culture in Rajasthan. Sports day helped me to bond with the kids’ more. I think there was a lot of team spirit and we all had good time”. - Ms. Ayano Ueshima

FORGOTTEN ZEAL

Tarranum with Anil Masiya(HOPE staff)

Tarranum is an intelligent student, but she lost her interest in studies until HOPE came by….

Tarranum is studying in class 9th at Govt. Secondary School in Maderna Colony. Her father, a driver, works for a travel agency and earns hardly 3500/- a month. Tarranum first joined the school in 6th class. She is punctual, always finishes her homework and came first in her class. One common practice in most Govt. Schools is that the focus is on completing the syllabus. It’s completely irrelevant whether the students understand or not. At first the zeal of learning new things kept her going but as time went by Tarranum got completely discouraged by this kind of teaching. HOPE worldwide came into an agreement with the district education department to start a free computer training center with this school and while the set up was going on, the HOPE staff started teaching spoken English at the school.

Since the time the HOPE staff started teaching spoken English (mostly through play way and interactive methods) Tarranum has got her interest back in the studies. Tarranum could hardly understand any English when HOPE started the classes, she was scoring 40-50 in her exams in English but now she is able to score more than 75 in her English subject. She feels that the spoken English and the life skill classes which HOPE is conducting in the school have increased her self confidence. She is grateful and thankful to HOPE worldwide.

After School Tuitions at Govt Secondary School- Police Line - Jodhpur

Roseleen- HOPE Staff with 6th class students.

Amrutha Valli - Hope  staff with Class 7th and 8th Students

Tuitions are conducted since Oct 09 for students who are weak in English subject from 6th - 8th classes after the school hours. Children have shown interest in developing their language skills. They are slowly improving their English learning ability.

Desire Fulfilled...

Bhagwana Ram(13) always desired to speak English however he was very shy and insecure. Hence, he would never participate in any classroom activity. He felt the other students would make fun of him…

Ram is studying in 7th standard at Government Senior Secondary School -Policeline in Pali district of Rajasthan. He lives with his parents and has two brothers and a sister who are also studying. Ram’s parents work as labourers in a nearby factory and earn Rs.7000/- ($155) a month.

Ram was happy to know about HOPE worldwide’s - Spoken English & Computer Learning Programme within the school and took the opportunity to join the classes. He also enrolled himself in the summer camp conducted by HOPE worldwide. After joining the classes his English improved. Now he raises his hand first in the class to answer and also participates in all the other classroom activities.

Ram would like to become a teacher when he grows up. He is grateful to HOPE worldwide for helping his dream of speaking in English come true. HOPE worldwide is presently teaching spoken English skills in the school, directly benefiting 650 students. HOPE worldwide is initiating to replicate similar programmes by adopting four government schools in Jalore district.

The Pain Behind the Silence…

(A Teacher’s perspective…)

Azaruddin comes from a very poor family. He and his brother Imran are in 8th class in Govt Secondary School Police- line. Azaruddin is very shy, quiet, and lost in his own world. I always wondered, “What does he keep thinking about?” As a tradition, during the lunch break, I take time to talk to a student who does not pay attention in class and try to know the reason. During one of those times I went and spoke to Azaruddin. I enquired about his family. He was silent and then said ‘My father burnt my mother in anger when we were only two years old. When asked where his father was now Azaruddin nodded his head negatively and said, “Even if he comes now I will not be with him, I will beat him”. Actually his dad, after killing his wife, left Imran and Azaruddin with their grandmother and got married to another woman. No wonder no one wanted to talk to us when we went to their house during the baseline survey visit. Probably they did not have anyone to talk for them. They have gone through hard times when children and neighbours abused them for the wrong reasons. They did not have anyone to defend them, they were always beaten or yelled at.

That reminds me of our first spoken English session in their class. When we started taking classes in their school, we taught children about introduction which includes their name, parents’ name, which class they are studying in… That day each student stood and introduced himself/ herself. When it was Azaruddin’s turn he told his name but did not mention his parents’ name. Instead he started crying. His brother Imran looked sad but controlled his tears. We wondered what happened. When we enquired later we came to know his life’s realities.

Recently, HOPE worldwide started tuition for 6th,7th and 8th class students who are weak in English. Azarrudin and Imran both were there for the tuition on the first day. By the end of the tuition that day, we could see an unexplainable happiness on Azarrudin’s face. When asked he said, “Today was the first time I have not forgotten what I have learnt. Thank you, Mam.” Probably for the first time someone believed in him and gave him the hope that he could do achieve something.

This moving incident made me realise how much pain some of these children have experienced. It breaks my heart to think of such suffering at a tender age. It also makes me more determined to do a good job and teach the “whole child”. What I mean by that is not just teaching academics but really caring for our students.- Amruthavalli, Trainer, HOPE worldwide - Rajasthan.

HOPE worldwide CEO visit to Rajasthan

On 14th September 2009, India celebrates the day as ‘Hindi Divas’. Mr. Mark Templer, CEO, HOPE worldwide visited Shri Sultan Senior Secondary School, Pali District, Rajasthan.

The visit report appeared in the leading newspapers of Pali District (Dainik Bhasker and Rajasthan Patrika):

Jodhpur and Pali School Update

In January 2009, HOPE worldwide started its operations in Jodhpur and Pali districts of Rajasthan with main objective to empower children and young people by providing computer-based learning and spoken English skills training in government schools. The presence of HOPE worldwide staff is welcomed by local management, has proven to be inspiring for the workers in government institutions, who appreciate the gratitude and kindness shown by their friends in HOPE. Already 1150 children in 3 schools are being benefitted by the work created as a result of Dr. A.M. Singhvi’s MPLADS funding.

 

Name of the school (No. of students)

1. Shri Sultan Government Sr Sec. boys School, Police Line, Pali District: (Students: 650)
2. Government Secondary (co-ed) School, Maderna Colony, Jodhpur Dist: (Students: 340)Government Secondary (co-ed) School, Police line, Jodhpur Dist: (Students: 160)

TOTAL: 1150

MPLADS – Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament
These schools have received a total MPLADS grant of Rs. 24.82 Lac for establishment of computer labs. These centers will have a total of 40 computers with well furnished lab.

 

Highlights of the computer lab:

 

1. Free computer education to all the school students which includes primary section. No fee is charged to any school student.
2. Students will be trained on Basics, MS DOS, MS office, as well as over 100 multilingual interactive concept learning CDs specially designed keeping in view the academics of the school students by APF (Azim Premji Foundation). This will enhance the learning capacity of each student, indirectly resulting in improvement in grades and percentage of the regular school curriculum.
3. The school staff will receive training simultaneously; thus resulting in development of institutional capacity.
4. Free computer learning will result in increase in new student enrollment and improvement in school attendance.
5. This centre will build confidence and create opportunities for school students to study further and increase individual’s earning capacity.

 

Achievements So Far:

 

1) Baseline survey of the population at all the three schools.

2) Received the Regional director of education office’s approval to work and establish the computer labs within the schools.

3) Successfully organising spoken English skills within the school timing in the regular classrooms.

4) Assisted the school management in doing the MPLADS paper work for establishing the labs (such as tender documents, specifications for refurbishment and computer equipment)

5) Successfully implemented the 45 days summer camp in all the three schools plus some youth at the Lal Maidan School in Jodhpur.

6) Certificate ceremony for summer camp at Maderna Colony School was attended by Mr. Sanklaji DEO - Jodhpur as chief guest.

7) On the job spoken English training for staff at regular intervals enhancing their teaching skills.

What can Volunteers do with HOPE Rajasthan???

Volunteer coordinator: Amruthavalli – Mob: +91(0)92694 00301 (amruthamave@gmail.com)

Contact address: HOPE worldwide Plot no: 630, 12th B road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur Rajasthan 342003

How to reach Jodhpur: By air from Delhi (2-3 hours) fare ranges from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 per/person.

By train: From Delhi (Travel duration 12-14 hours), fare ranges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 2000 per person one way.

Place to Volunteer: (Jodhpur District and Pali District)

1) Government school - Policeline, Jodhpur (150 students from 6th grade to 10th grade) and youth learning computers

2) Government school - Maderna Colony, Jodhpur (250 students from 1st grade to 10th) and youth

3) Government school - Police line, Pali District, (600 students from 1st grade to 12th) and youth

Kindly note: Computer labs are open throughout the year. The school is open from July through to May (academic year); the above schools offer Hindi medium of education.

Volunteering Activities

Outdoor Activities:-

• Football/Soccer/Hockey 1 day to 3months Volley ball, Throw ball: 1 day to 3months
• Picnic activities: Visit to the mandore garden, palaces, forts, zoo, water park, etc., 1 time activity

Classroom Activities:

• English speaking skill sessions 1 day to 3months
• Role playing activities, audio, video presentation
• Personality development session/s 1 time activity
• Movie with the kids 1 time activity
• Dance activity/Singing/action songs 7 days to 1 month
• After school tuitions for the student (subject Hindi/English/Maths) 3 months to 1 year
• Arts and craft 7 days to 1 month
• GK, Health and Hygiene session, Basic first aid 1 time activity
• Teach computer skills: MS office, Programming, Multimedia, 7 days to 1 month

Other Activities:-

• Medical camp 1 time activity
• General awareness: (culture, geographies, countries, etc.,) 1 time activity
• Make wall poster, inspirational quotes, 1 time activity
• Paint the classroom, cartoons on the wall, school premises, Gardening, 2 days to 1 week
• Lessons on musical instruments, types of music. 2 days to 3 months
• Visit students family, neighbour, social interaction, 1 time activity

THINGS VOLUNTEER CAN BRING ALONG FOR THE PROGRAM ACTIVITY:

Books, Cursive hand writing, Activity books, Colouring books, General Knowledge Books, magazines, Clothes, CDs, DVDs, Atlas, Short Stories Books, Dictionary, Pictionary game, Board games, Quiz books, Encyclopedia, English Speaking Skill Books, Audio tapes, Music system, Television, Charts, Posters, Science lab basic equipment, Indoor games/toys, Glittering pens, Crayons, Pencils, Pens, Drum for the schools, Roller skates, First aid kit, fish aquarium, etc.,

CAN SPONSOR: School bags, Uniform, Water bottle, Note books, Activity books, English Grammar books, Computer, Laptop, Projector, Picnic activity.

ADOPT A SCHOOL PROGRAM: Rs.10,000 - Rs. 20,000 per month

Background: HOPE worldwide

HOPE worldwide is an Indian charity founded in November 1991. It is headquartered in New Delhi and delivers sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and the needy in India. At present, there are 16 “Centers of Hope” across India, serving the poor in about 22 cities, towns and villages with over 300,000 lives being touched each year. Services range from the care of seniors, orphans and dying HIV/AIDS victims, to education and vocational training for nearly 11,000 young men and women, to far-reaching healthcare and health awareness programs impacting hundreds of thousands. HOPE worldwide in India has a staff of 50 professionals and 430 support staff. (http://www.hopefoundation.org.in/ http://www.hopeww.org/ )