- Children’s Learning Center-Kadam
O
ur after-school gained more visibility and acceptability this year. Students became more regular and we were able to charge a small fees ranging from Rs 50-200 from those who could afford. Some kids stopped coming due to the fees so we decided to let the regular students continue without paying. Most parents are daily wagers working as painters, rickshaw pullers, rag pickers, vegetable vendors, carpenters or similar professions. Some kids work as laborers (although child labor is illegal in India) part time to supplement income for their families.
The kids, volunteers and educators felt the Center needed a name of its own. Kadam was selected after a shortlist of 6 names. Two sessions are held Monday-Saturday 9-11am and 3-5pm. Our focus is on strengthening reading skills and maths. Creative learning methods are used and digital learning was also introduced after the center bought a television which allows streaming of educational videos and films. We also have regular art and reading competitions as well as outdoor activities in nearby park, usually on Saturdays.
Parent-teacher meetings are conducted on a more regular basis and more parents attend compared to last year which indicates they are taking interest in their kid’s development. These meetings help in resolving issues that may not have been addressed otherwise.
An example is of Gulzar, a class 8 student regularly coming to our center since its inception. In November our educator noticed he had become very irregular and was often angry in class. At the meeting his father, a vegetable vendor, raised a similar concern saying, “he has been skipping classes in school and doesn’t say why. He is often upset.” When we had a session with him he revealed that one of his teachers had hit him against the wall. Due to a defect in cornea in one of his eyes (unfortunately his parents cannot afford to get him treated) he has difficulty reading from a distance and sometimes losses his focus in class. After a few counseling sessions he started coming regularly again and completing his homework on time.
2. Reading
Most kids have very poor reading skills. Without reading capabilities it is difficult to understand any subject. We dedicate one hour every day on reading, both Hindi and English. Kids are divided into groups based on their reading levels. Each kid reads aloud. Improvement in reading skills is tracked to gauge progress.
3. Youth empowerment – Mentorship and career counseling
15 students of class 11, 12 and dropouts/with compartment were tutored and guided for board and entrance examinations as well as college admissions. We had realized a need for guidance during college
admissions from our experience previous year when we found some students who had attended workshops at our center were unable to get admission into colleges. Many of them are unaware of when and where to apply, missing out deadlines. Due to this gap we started this initiative and hope to grow and cater to more aspiring students in the coming years.
Akib, 2nd from left in the above picture didn’t clear class XI. His father passed away a couple of years ago and his elder brother wants him to join him and sell fish. He was able to clear class XI and is now ready for class XII board exams.
8 students mentored and tutored at our center were successful in joining colleges in Delhi University, Indira Gandhi Open University and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Ali Khan, Founder of startup Placements Circle conducted a workshop on job opportunities, skills in demand and confidence building.
4. Internships
Creating Spaces for the Transgender Community- a video project
Huma Parvez, a Master’s student at School at School of Planning and Architecture created a video titled “Creating Spaces for the Trans Community in Delhi” and presented it at:
- Transportation Research Board Worksop 2018 held in Washington DC in the session: Mind the Gap – Can inclusive cities bridge the social equity disparities?
- Mainstreaming Gender Data Sub-Committee at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, 2021
She wrote this in an acknowledgement letter that she sent me towards the end of the last year:
Two students from Jamia Millia Islamia and one from Azim Premji University, Bangalore interned at Kadam. They engaged in community outreach with parents to bring awareness about Right to Education (RTE) Act, importance of education and how it can change lives. They also taught kids about the environment, recyclable waste, sanitation and climate change.
4. Creative and outdoor activities
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- Art competition was held twice a year. All participants were given gifts and the best ones special prizes.
- A workshop on crafts from recycle material was held to make kids understand the value of things and to reduce waste
- On popular demand we made a trip to the Science Museum this year again along with Lodhi Gardens as part of our Annual Outdoor Day.
- A guest from the US had an interactive session with the kids on Science. Kids were asked practical questions to gauge their understanding.
5. Community Outreach
- Free Eye Camp in partnership with Vision Spring
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- About 200 people came for a free eye checkup -111 women, 84 men, 66 children were tested. Only 64 had normal vision; 122 were prescribed glasses and were distributed free.
- Awareness Campaigns
- Our staff participated in an awareness camp on minorities welfare schemes organized by Delhi Govt. Minorities Affairs. Akbar is seen here accepting a souvenir.
- RTI, Women’s Rights in collaboration with Josh
- Volunteered and participated in the ‘Campaign to Fight Inequality’ event in Trilokpuri. This event was part of a day long campaign in various parts of Delhi in which many organizations participated.
