Hello Friends,
Challenging times only call for our will to keep moving forward and to keep doing the next right thing.
As the schools have been closed, since Mar-2020, it was a dilemma, as to how we could help the students, in these changing times.
We would like to provide a quick status of the 2020 drive that happened on 6-Mar-2021.
Current COVID-19 status of the schools:
— Only the children of grades 6 and above would visit the schools before the 2nd wave. Currently, the schools are closed for everyone.
— No Lunch provided, instead, the ration is being equally distributed among the kids, every month.
Based on our discussions with teachers, since May-2020, the following were achieved:
— TVs (43″) provided for Smart-Class in 5 schools.
— Smart class content on varied topics, provided along with the TVs.
— Provided basic usage training, to stream videos or view the Bridge courses offered in DD Chandana, Samveda and various other channels from YouTube, by the Government.
— Provided Nali-Kali tables to 16 schools (5 tables each), in association with Rotary – International (Pittsburgh). [Routing partner: Rotary – Bangalore South/Kanakapura Road]
— An open-house discussion with the CRP, teachers of schools belonging to 3 clusters (16 schools) held.Due to the COVID restrictions, a very limited number of people were present for the distribution.Feedbacks received:
— Smart TVs were very well received. We had introduced this on a pilot basis in one school last year.
Teachers came up with their own methods on how they would want to use it initially. Few points were:
– With single teachers in most schools, online academic content helps to engage a class which otherwise would be teacher-less.
– Everyday, live news for 15 to 20 mins will be shown to kids during lunch hours
– TV will be used for extra curricular activities like learning dance, singing etc
– Entire academic content is available in USB and will be used appropriately
– They will gear up for online live classes in future.
– All the teachers agree and promise to use the TV judiciously (to limit overall screen time to 45mins to 1 hour per day per kid)
– Vidhyadaanam has set up a mechanism to monitor the usage/misuse of these SmartTVs.– Most of the schools want learning materials such as math kits, science kits, nali kali aids etc
— All schools want volunteers from Vidhyadaanam to conduct fun and cultural events like we always conducted. Post-Covid.
— They require copy-writing books instead of notebooks that we provide as some other donors were willing to donate or the parents are ready to buy them.
Good quality copy writing books would be very useful.
— They are looking for sponsorship for a Guest teacher from us (one teacher/private visiting one school a day in a week) majorly to improve English/Communication among kids and teachers.Following requests were turned down:
– Request for benches, stools etc
– Request for office furniture
– Request for building or infrastructure repairs etc.
Why ? For now, We would like to concentrate on areas that have a direct impact on kids.Future projects for consideration:— Provide Smart TV to every/rest of the schools in our purview. Considering the current and future statuses, this seems to be the most essential aid of learning for these children.
— Playground equipment – if there is a sufficient free space and passes our screening criteria.
— Provide a used/laptop/desktop to few of the schools, in need and has a knowledgeable teacher
Based on the situation, we would like to take another call (in discussion with the teachers), for this year.
More updates in July/Aug-2021.
Pictures and videos of the drive are here – VIDHYADAANAM – 2020
Few of them shall be posted in the whatsapp group.
How you can help:
1) Donate any of the items helpful to our needs (as above), for this year.
2) Monetary – Please let us know (via mail/whatsapp/call) in case of bank transfers.
Please note: Contributions to VIDHYADAANAM are eligible for 80G exemption (50%).
As always, your support, in any way, is highly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this mail.
Team VIDHYADAANAM.
