Showing posts with label activity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label activity. Show all posts

9.13.2009

Family interaction activity – A step forward to involve community

It has been 6 months since we started Talent class, which is huge success. Attendance in this class is always high. We see lot of positive changes in the kids. They are now more aware, determined, and confident. Each kid is different and unique in his own way, some budding talented kids are Poonam – a good painter , Jabaaz - awesome dancer and speaker , Subi - the great all-rounder , Julekha , Kiran.. all are great.

Talent classes not only entertain kids, it also helps them to understand their neighborhood, their environment. Its gives them break from the regular classes and rejuvenate them for further studies.

In spite of regular Talent classes, we feel there is a communication gap among parents, kids and Prayas volunteers .Parents blame their kids for not studying or obeying and kids blame parents for not paying attention to them.

So for overall development of kids, there should be some effort which we need to put to reduce this communication gap.

So keeping that in mind we found a new way of communication with the kids and their parents. This way the small loop holes will be filled up. Complaints and accomplishments of the kids can be discussed at their home. This would not make them feel ashamed for their mistakes as they feel in a meeting in front of all. And also it would make them feel good when it is a compliment for their good performance and good work.

So part of the Talent class program, we start a new initiative called Family interaction activity “A Surprise visit once in a week basis” on weekends, after the Talent class. We select 1-2 kids randomly and go there to meet with whole family.

A short story on our Day 1 visit:

“Our first visit was to Govind’s house. We appeared all of a sudden at their door. He and his family were just surprised. They welcomed us inside. We discussed about the complaint against him from his school. We had a talk regarding his attitude of not paying attention on studies and being inattentiveness in the school. There we came to know that her elder sister, who is also well qualified, help other Prayas kids in their homework etc. Where as Govind never share anything. We talked to his parents and suggested them to guide him just by sitting with him ½ n hr everyday while he does his study. Even Govind promised to do his part and his eyes were just filled with tear drops for his mistakes.

Also we got to know from his family members that as it was taught to them in Talent class to maintain cleanliness on personal basis, family members, and house and outside of the house, he is doing well on that regard and making family members do so.

Our next visit was to Subi’s home. She is doing well in her studies. So we just had casual talk with her mother about her studies and improvement in personal development. We did a check on if she is also maintaining cleanliness as taught. Though she is trying her level best yet found it is still needed to teach the same cleanliness lesson to their parents too. We did so and suggested her other to keep her younger kids in the same clean way as is Subi. “

Really it was a great feeling which the parents expressed as their Kids are given so much importance and Kids felt it as they were really valued and cared so much.

It made us feel that a good relation is built so……
Hope this will go building strong bridge further………

- Prayas Team

8.31.2009

A visit to the International Book Fair

I took 8 children Sajjad, Jabaz, Shahid, Govinda, Kiran, Sona, Zubi and Zuleka today to the fair. Children were ready and were waiting at the community gate from 10.00 despite rains, I reached slightly late. We directly went to Pragti Maidan. We went through the stalls and jumped into stalls wherever children related book were present. I asked the children to browse through and pick the books of their interest and also books for the younger children.

After they did their selection I did ask them why they choose that particular book. Really unexpected question for them and to my surprise I got unexpected answers as well :). Got to know that Sona was more interested in reading books on Natak, Zuleka on Music, Jabaz on history, space and environment, Zubi on biography on national leaders, Kiran on fantasy stories. Shahid and Sajjad were randomly browsing through... After around 4 hours of book hunting we ended up in roping up 72 books [including a few small 20 page books].

By that time Rajiv had joined us along with his sister and we bumped in to Charu's family there. Me, Rajiv and children went for lunch and post lunch children were too tired and I just grabbed some books quickly for me and we started back.

Zubi and Sajjad will re-start the library and Shahid and Sona would help them. We also got a chess / ludo board and the children wanted to start indoor games soon. Raj please consider this in one of your activities session [particularly teach them chess]. I have a carrom board in our room and I'll keep it at Prayas and children can use them as well.

- Selva Ganapthy ( aid.selva@gmail.com )

8.09.2009

You are invited to the Independence day celebration @ Prayas on Aug 15th 2009

At the stroke of midnight when the whole world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom...- Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru

Hai jo dil mein desh k liye preet ..
Hai jo dil mein armaan …
Aao wo sab ko dikhayein...
Aao is jag ko dikhayein..
Aao kuch kar dikhayein...

These words remind us of patriotism and a deep sense of respect for our Motherland - India. Keeping this feeling and commitment of “Kuch Kar Dikhayein”, the Prayas family is delighted to invite you on Independence Day celebration on 15th August 2009.

Venue : - Prayas new center Nayabans, Sector 15, NOIDA.
Timing : - 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Now, a glimpse of the events with which celebrate the Independence Day at PRAYAS. The Event schedule for this celebration will be: -
  • Start @ 2PM with Flag hoisting
  • I – Day introduction speech
  • A brief about Prayas
  • Patriotic dance
  • Patriotic songs
  • Patriotic poems
  • Prize distribution
  • Wrap up @ 6PM with Refreshment

Now here comes the main attractions for the volunteers: -

Photography competition:- Click photos of I - Day celebration activities

Venue: - I –Day celebration, Prayas new center Nayabans, Sector 15, NOIDA.
Timing: - 15th august 1:00pm onwards till end of function

Prizes: - 5 best pictures will be selected by jury and displayed at Achievements of Prayas board in new class room with their owner name. Also, the best photographer will be awarded by a prize.

So all shutterbugs and professionals, recharge/replace your batteries, clean your lenses and ready to drain your battery to showcase your talent.

I-Day decoration competition:- Decorate the celebration place

Venue : I –Day celebration, Prayas new center Nayabans, Sector 15, NOIDA.
Timing: 15th august 1:00pm – 2:00pm before the function ends
Prizes: Jury will award to the Best team.
Limited Decoration material/ Rangoli colors will be provided on venue itself.You can also bring decoration material by own.

Performance by Volunteers:- Solo/group song,experience, any on the spot activity by volunteers

Venue: - I –Day celebration, Prayas new center Nayabans, Sector 15, NOIDA.
Timing: - 15th august within function.Confirmation need to provide before start of the function.

Contact person: - Raj @9871826168 or Linkan @ 9971150656

We heartily invite u to join us on Saturday Aug 15th @ Sector 15A, NOIDA for Independence Day celebration at Prayas. RSVP your availability.

Warm Regards,
Prayas Team

8.06.2009

Bal Sabha - When the children took control


We had our Bal Sabha on August 3rd and initially it was looking like that very few volunteers showed their interest but later on we were 11-12 volunteers and 40 kids :) .

The Program started with the meaning of Bal Sabha and then the experience sharing of the kids. Elder kids Ashmina,Suby,Sona,Zulekha,Danista,Kiran,Poonam etc all shared their experience of being with Prayas.Their talent of Dancing,Singing,Reciting Poems and Imitating volunteers was superb.

Younger kids like Seefat,Parvina Sonu ,Dolly & Ruby were overly enthusiastic about their turn and their poems . Later on Volunteers like Anand ,Selva ,Charu,Linkan ,Satyan,Raj ,Darshan(Me) Shared their experiences of working with Prayas and the journey . New volunteers Bina,Pulkit ,Bhawana were enthusiastic enough to know the system better .

Raj could manage fruits(Banana & Guava ) for all the kids but unfortunate thing was that we the volunteers could not get Bananas :( .

Anyways overall the Bal Sabha went very nice and hope this series will carry on with new energy .We will require new inputs from all the volunteers to make Bal Sabha better and crispier .

Bal Sabha will be on every first Sunday of a month and you people can send your valuable inputs to Linkan (subudhi.linkan@gmail.com ) ,She will be organizing this event with Raj .

Here are the pictures from the event.

- Darshan Mehra


5.04.2009

April ’09 @ Prayas

This month was a milestone period for Prayas and here goes a brief on how it went :)

Admissions at Nai Disha & Moonlight

As I was writing the updates of March ’09, it was 12.30AM Midnight and our volunteers were going of to sleep with slightly tensed about what would happen the next morning for the admissions of the children at Nai Disha. Today we proudly announce that a total of 21 children got admitted at Nai Disha (Sec 29, NOIDA) and another 5 at Moonlight Public School (Sec 15A, NOIDA). That is, a total of 26 children attend higher quality schools and now receive better education than before.

The efforts of all our regular volunteers have been a key ingredient to this success and every time I get a chance to write about them I have a new achievement from them to talk about. The volunteers that made this happen are: Darshan, Vikas, Rajat, Rajiv, Tarun, Nikunj, Charu, Anuradha, Sugandha, Selva, Abinash, Anant, Anand (in no particular order of relevance, but as a solid team).

Raj Starts Activity Sessions with the children

One of our veteran volunteers, Raj Bansal, has come back to active volunteering in the past 3 months and has been an active part of educational activities at Prayas. He has started up an activity session on Saturdays where the children are engaged in team building and collaborative games, alertness building sessions, science sessions, and a bit of silent meditation. This has been well appreciated by the children and there is a good attendance on all days for the same.

The most surprising thing I found was one day when all 12 children present were in a sitting mediation position and silent for almost 5-6minutes. This experience, in my close to 3 year engagement with the children of Prayas, was the most silent 5 minutes that I had. And so, here is a marvelous effort by Raj at managing this class and engaging the children in a constructive way.

Raj is supported by Linkan & Rashi to take his sessions. The sessions are planned for all Saturdays from 3PM-6PM at the New Center. You can reach Raj @ 09871826168, if you wish to join him.

New Volunteers this month: Rashi, Anvita Shukla, Daisy Singh

To Support us, please go through this Document.
To Volunteer with us, Click & Register Here.
To Know more about our work check - Our Blog.

4.25.2009

Class Schedules & Volunteering Opportunities @ Prayas (April-May '09)

There are these primary programs we are working on at this point:

  • Program 1: Nai Disha & Moonlight Entrants - Support Program
    • Batch II - 2/3/4th Batch
    • Batch II - Nursery / KG / 1st Batch
  • Program 2: New Batch for 2010 managed by Abhinash (Full-timer)
  • Program 3: Activity Sessions: led by Raj Bansal
  • Program 4: Computer Training Sesssions (Yet to begin)

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Latest details given below. To know further details contact Program / Batch Owners or give me (Arun Raj) a ring @ 9910908774.

Note: Feel free to forward this to any of your friends or family interested in volunteering. Also, visit our blog @ http://aidnoida.blogspot.com to stay updated with latest happenings.


Program 1
:
Nai Disha & Moonlight Entrants - Support Program

Batch I - 2/3/4th Batch


Venue: Centre @ Community
Owner: Rajiv – 9811981809

Time: 8.30-10.30PM

  • Monday: Darshan
  • Wednesday: Selva/Rajiv
  • Thursday: Darshan/Selva
  • Friday: Rajiv
  • Sunday: Sugandha/Raj

Classes will held from 8/8:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and 5:00 to 6:30 on weekends.Since these days we are required to give individual attention to the children , so anybody who finds [him/her]self free on any day can attend the class.


Batch II -
Nursery / KG / 1st Batch

Owner:
Charu Garg - 9958363035
Venue: Centre @ Community
Time: 6.30-8.30

  • Monday: Raj / Charu / Daisy
  • Wednesday: Abhinav / Charu / Daisy
  • Friday: Dilip / Charu / Daisy
  • Saturday: Sonika and Priyanka
  • Sunday: Priyanka

Program 2: New Batch for 2010 managed by Abinash (Full-timer)

Venue: New Centre
Time: 3-7PM (Batch 1: Younger : 3-5PM / Batch 2: Older: 5-7PM)
Owner: Abinash - 9971426913

Sessions held: All days from Monday - Saturday

Volunteer Opportunities: Opportunities open for supporting Abhinash to excute classes at these times. Please give me a buzz @ 9910908774 or call Abinash @ 9971426913 to know what you could do.

Program 3: Activity Sessions: led by Raj Bansal


Venue: New Centre
Time: 3-6PM (Batch II of Program 1)
Owner: Raj Bansal - 9871826168

Program 4: Computer Training Sessions


Owner: Required
Status: We have the furniture & computers ready. Computers need to be setup, configured and prepared for classes to begin.

Volunteer Opportunities: Opportunities open for setting up, starting and executing these sessions. Please give me a buzz @ 9910908774 or Rajiv @ 9811981809 to know what you could do.

1.18.2009

Dance Team @ Prayas - Needs your Support

With the AID Delhi birthday celebrations nearing, planned for Sunday 25th January, an event hosting children of all our projects across Delhi / NCR. We are expecting atleast 100-120 children, volunteers to settle in & participate in events and games. The plan is to celebrate and have fun.

I presented this opportunity to the children Prayas who were enthused and all reared up to dance their hearts out. Asmina & Ishrat specifically came up and told me that they it was their 'tamannna' (dream) if they could get dress up in pretty clothes to do perform on stage. I was totally for this but we needed somebody to train the children for the performance. And so the search began.

An innocent request that came in from the children and I felt honored to work towards getting it done. Being the lazy person that I am I did put a mail but dint go out actively searching for a choreographer for them, honestly speaking. But thanks to the good hearted and active volunteer lot that we have at Prayas we found not one but two choreographers. Good Work - Sonika & Tarun :)

But we finalised with Apoorva who was from Tarun's office - Kritikal Solutions. And she has been doing a wonderful at this 6 days of dance classes down the line. 

The enthusiasm and happiness while dancing has been an invaluable sight to me the past few days. They keep telling Apoorva about possible different ways of presenting a step - 'Didi, hum aise kar len?'. They are ready to discipline themselves to make the dance appear as beautiful as possible. Apoorva gives them the necessary space that this creative spirit in the children also works along.

And finally, when they are all tired after working hard dancing when they sit down to take a break and drink water there is an observable shade of satisfaction that could be read only through their eyes. Hope we better the ever ready to dance Aashayein team.

Hey, if you wish to support you could pledge an amount you wish to support the team for the cost transport, clothes and accessories. You could also be part of this wish coming true. Please come forward :)

12.31.2008

Happy New Year from the Children @ Prayas


A special new year's greeting designed by the children for all the bhai's and didi's that have taught them and spend time with them. :)

Wishing a wonderful new year for Prayas & its friends!!

12.25.2008

Christmas Activity @ Prayas

This was one session that most people who missed it would really regret not being present. 
- 33 Kids
- 6 Groups with each having a child leader
- 8 Volunteers for guiding 
- 8 Pieces of Chart Paper
- A lot of colors
- ONE PICTURE - A Tree in its most youthful bloom :)

The Objective : The Value of working together.
 
The Process: Each team was given a set of colors and a sheet to work on. The sheets were all charted out with pencil on what colors to use and what is the direction to take. Each set of children were lead by a child leader who was initially briefed on what work needs to be done by them. They then selected their teams and went in to work. The leaders were given an additional objective to see that all the children in their team were involved in the work done.

The Moral of the Activitiy: The final picture was a sight worth calling an achievement. The kids themselves were able to explain the moral of the story at the end of the activity - Working together we can achieve more.

The Volunteers: Charu, Kavita, Ruchi, Anand Bhai, Atul, Nikunj, Rajiv & Arun

A big applause to Kavita who initiated the idea and spread the fire :)