Chester

A DSF meeting. Room full of volunteers. Discussing: How to check learning levels in our govt. schools. Meeting led by Vinay & Megha with Juveena from NEEV as the expert.

Juveena giving fundas.

Catching my attention was this beautifully illustrated book, with a simple story of Chester - a crocodile - trying to gobble various animals.


Meanwhile.....some heavy discussions were happening....and T arrived...the book was on Murtuza's leg....Sunand placed this Tea cup on it & started zooming....Murtuza leg was supported by my leg.....so this was a precarious shot. At the end we burst out laughing not to the amusement of the crowd.

An unlucky Chester goes back home. Hey this snap reminds me of the croc snap we took in Ranganthittu.

Here it is.....I love crocs.

Bird flu ;-(

Megha started writing a math paper on the board. Note the bright light at the bottom.

When I focused on the bright light, I got this shot....the best shot of the day.

Watching Chester & the fleeing animals, Megha & Vinay, Juveena & My3, & the rest of us was Gandhi-thaatha. Should get a sharper shot next time.

Yes... we are trying to quantify the learning levels of 2nd, 4th & 6th std students in our govt. schools thru simple tests. The exercise happens over the next few saturdays. We need volunteers of all kinds. Kannada, Tamil & English. And, badly needed are Urdu reading/writing chaps. Interested write to Maitreyee.

Rock climbing

3 schools, 38 students, 6 teachers, 7 instructors. Rock Climbing, Turalli, 29th Jan 2006.

Shikshana trust works with Govt. schools in Bangalore south. Starting from Banashankari until Kanakpura. Lotz of schools. They have been doing a fundu job, and are working on allround development of their children.

Karnataka Mountaineering Association - KMA - my first gang - one of the oldest trekking & mountaineering clubs of karnataka. Have majorly supported rock-climbing outings for under-previleged children. This outing was lead by Mr. Mohan Rao.

I won't get into the how's and why's of rock climbing for the under-previleged. You know it.
Would love to see a lot of other groups taking their children for rock climbing. Can think of kids from Dream School Foundation, Vatsalya, Friends of Children, Bosco etc Interested write to Sunand, a DSF & KMA volunteer.

The pictures tell the story. Snaps by Sunand.

Wanted

Badly
............Wanted
............................Volunteers

Looking for lady volunteers for an under-previleged home for girl children called Vatsalya at Wilson Garden, Bangalore. Vatsalya houses around 50 kids. Some of them orphans, the rest from economically poor sections. The kids go to schools around - first std to 10th std and a few to college -

Our voluntary group has been working with them for the last 5 years. Our current programme is LifeSkills. This happens every sunday 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Currently targetted at high-school kids with personality development and spoken English as the focus. We plan to reach out to the smaller kids too.

So wanted, lady volunteers....strong...bold...and wonderful.

Our Aims/Goals:
In one sentence: To get them to stand on their feet.
As a paragraph: Make them strong inside, ready for the society, believe in themselves & life, make them dream big, and get them to reach there.

So wanted.....people who can infuse that enthusiasm, character and josh for life.

Issues:
Well, I can perhaps get a PhD on this topic. Traumatic childhood, future uncertain, not good academics, lack of role models, role of wardens, contact with outside world, general awareness, communication skills, career options

So wanted.....live people....who want to make a difference in their lives.

An earlier account of my teaching with the younger kids can be seen here. Interested, write to me.

Believe me, this is challenging & exciting. Balances our lives. And teaches us a lot. Commitment level is atleast 2-3 weeks/month. Hope to hear from you soon.

Note: Volunteering at Vatsalya is open for LADY volunteers only.