One chap landed up upsetting almost all our weekend schedules. But we managed against all adversities and got the 2.30 appointment right (though late) ;-))
Folks, this sunday, we were 5 girls at V. Sangeetha came this weekend too. A new girl, Jaya, joined us this weekend. She is doing her engineering @ Suratkal and is in bangalore for a few months to do her project at NAL. Sowmya was, of course, in; Srinka is out of action (slip disk). But the star attraction this weekend was Ami aunty, who was heartily welcomed at V with all 'josh'. (Dharin uncle was also eagerly greeted by the kids when he dropped in to wish us all luck)
Ami asked the kids for a recap of what we did last weekend. And surprisingly, Rani came up with a very succint summary of what we told them!!! She did miss out a few things, particularly those that were mentioned for the elder kids. But, it is still a positive.
This time again, it was a little hard gathering the kids together. Some of the 10th class were absent because they are having unit tests today. A few others were missing too, as they were taking bath etc. (We need to make sure this doesn't happen every time). But we ourselves were late this time, so no scope for complaining!!
We divided the kids into separate groups. Sowmya, Jaya and Sangeetha took the 7th and below kids out to the playground for some fun and games. Ami and myself, stayed back with the reduced number inside the classroom. Ami sort of did a recap of last session asking the kids about the usefulness of our sessions last time etc. The verdict this time around too was that they found everything useful and wanted to continue Spoken English, Grammar, Quizzes etc.
Our discussion veered (deftly manuevered to, would be more correct ;-p) on to Shyamala's marriage and the dangers/risks of child marriage and the appropriate age for marriage etc. Keerthi showed a good level of maturity when she said above 25 and below 30 is what she feels is the appropriate age for marriage. May be following her lead, the majority agreed on ~25. Ami did some math (finishing acads etc.) and showed them that 25 to 27 is what they should ideally be looking at as an age for marriage. The dangers of 'misplaced affections' were also touched up on. Keerthi, Jyothi and Urvashi translated the discussions into Kannada just to make sure everyone is on the same page.
We agreed to meet again next weekend and start off on our regular activities. Composition/Grammar, Spoken English, Quizzes are what emerged as the kid's demands.
Out of the room and into the playground. We found Sowmya, Jaya playing with a bunch of kids, Sangeetha chatting up with another bunch etc. Sowmya would shout out a color and all the kids who have it on them are to jump up and down. Ami and I joined them for sometime, but when the drizzle started getting a little harder, we dispersed, saying bye-bye to the kids.
That's all for now, from All India Radio.
Monday, June 26, 2006
18 Jun 2006:: Sunday #1
Last sunday, we had our first session of 2006-07. Ami was crying at home because she couldn't join in and Srinka was doing the same thing at the doctor's (S'h'rinks, how are you?) ;-)) So the serious task of starting the year with an expectation setting session was bravely taken on by the remaining S & S.
A new volunteer Sangeetha had come in on Sunday... Sowmya's friend. Told her what we want to do, what we have been trying to do, what's plan for the day etc. Sowmya too turned up after some time. Now we had the herculean task of gathering all the kids into the study room. I don't think I'd would be stretching it if I say that it took us a whole half an hour to gather them all together. Lots of pushing and prodding was required, we saw quite a few making faces - and to top it all Keerthi and Prema flatly refused to join because they are no longer in school!! It was interesting to see that "grown up" attitude in them and I loved it too, but I would've been happier if they eventually joined in.
Finally, with all the kids in the room, we were ready to start around 3.30 or so. If the faces we saw earlier were disheartening, the kids had more in stock for us. Sowmya started the 'proceedings' with an attempt to get them energized, she asked them some questions about vacation and school and things like that, hardly eliciting any responses and if I remember right, there was some question about us being there and the response was even more disheartening. But we put up a brave face and continued. Sowmya had some energizer games up her sleeve and she launched one of them, making the kids stand up and follow her actions and repeat her words. Soon the place was brimming with energy.
Then, Sowmya passed on the baton to me. And I delivered my first ever lecture on something like this. Told them about our plans to divide the kids into younger and older groups, told them that our focus for the younger ones would be on reading and writing (english and kannada), basic maths and basic history/science/geo/whatever and for elder ones it would be spoken english, career orientation and an overall personality development focus. Told them we will have lots of fun, but we also want them to get something more than fun at the end of the day. Asked them to talk to us freely about any problems academic or personal that they are facing, so we would be able to help out better. Told them our association doesn't end with 10th, we are ready to take it forward too. Reviewed last years programs with them and asked them what they liked and disliked about it. Asked them what else they would want from us apart from what we are doing. There were no responses about what they disliked or what else they want, but said they liked everything we did (spoken english, grammar, story reading, quiz, biodata etc.) and wanted all that to be continued. That sounded more like a formal response. Told them that we want to add some value and we need their cooperation by sharing with us their opinions, feelings, problems etc and make use of us to the fullest. Told them that we are in this as a team and we work together well as a team, we will be able to make this a success.
In spite of some of the negatives and a pervading sense of disinterest, at the end of the session, I did get a feeling that we could strike a chord somewhere, at least with some of them, if not all. Have a feeling that we could do a talk like this a little more frequently and not just at the beginning of the year. Could have an informal session with them once in a while where we compare notes and reiterate our message and our mission and listen to their responses (if at all they make any).
I'm feeling positive, lets look forward and work for a better year, like we told the kids. And on that note, let me sign off (and relieve you all from further misery ;-p)...
A new volunteer Sangeetha had come in on Sunday... Sowmya's friend. Told her what we want to do, what we have been trying to do, what's plan for the day etc. Sowmya too turned up after some time. Now we had the herculean task of gathering all the kids into the study room. I don't think I'd would be stretching it if I say that it took us a whole half an hour to gather them all together. Lots of pushing and prodding was required, we saw quite a few making faces - and to top it all Keerthi and Prema flatly refused to join because they are no longer in school!! It was interesting to see that "grown up" attitude in them and I loved it too, but I would've been happier if they eventually joined in.
Finally, with all the kids in the room, we were ready to start around 3.30 or so. If the faces we saw earlier were disheartening, the kids had more in stock for us. Sowmya started the 'proceedings' with an attempt to get them energized, she asked them some questions about vacation and school and things like that, hardly eliciting any responses and if I remember right, there was some question about us being there and the response was even more disheartening. But we put up a brave face and continued. Sowmya had some energizer games up her sleeve and she launched one of them, making the kids stand up and follow her actions and repeat her words. Soon the place was brimming with energy.
Then, Sowmya passed on the baton to me. And I delivered my first ever lecture on something like this. Told them about our plans to divide the kids into younger and older groups, told them that our focus for the younger ones would be on reading and writing (english and kannada), basic maths and basic history/science/geo/whatever and for elder ones it would be spoken english, career orientation and an overall personality development focus. Told them we will have lots of fun, but we also want them to get something more than fun at the end of the day. Asked them to talk to us freely about any problems academic or personal that they are facing, so we would be able to help out better. Told them our association doesn't end with 10th, we are ready to take it forward too. Reviewed last years programs with them and asked them what they liked and disliked about it. Asked them what else they would want from us apart from what we are doing. There were no responses about what they disliked or what else they want, but said they liked everything we did (spoken english, grammar, story reading, quiz, biodata etc.) and wanted all that to be continued. That sounded more like a formal response. Told them that we want to add some value and we need their cooperation by sharing with us their opinions, feelings, problems etc and make use of us to the fullest. Told them that we are in this as a team and we work together well as a team, we will be able to make this a success.
In spite of some of the negatives and a pervading sense of disinterest, at the end of the session, I did get a feeling that we could strike a chord somewhere, at least with some of them, if not all. Have a feeling that we could do a talk like this a little more frequently and not just at the beginning of the year. Could have an informal session with them once in a while where we compare notes and reiterate our message and our mission and listen to their responses (if at all they make any).
I'm feeling positive, lets look forward and work for a better year, like we told the kids. And on that note, let me sign off (and relieve you all from further misery ;-p)...
Action Items #1
- Keep pushing on the warden issue gently - Akash/Ami
- Saranga trust - science - talk to them about the frequency/timelines etc. - Akash initially, and then the girls can take it forward.
- Saranga trust - career counseling - Akash to follow up with Hema Srinivas
- Meeting with srilatha (and co) - Ami to follow up.
- Talk to maria 'more concretely' about her involvement, meeting with lady vols - Akash to do the honors
- NIE - talk to them and arrange a meeting for further discussion - Sowmya to follow up (Note to sowmya: meeting preferrably on a weekend evening)
- Push for english medium for all kids - subtle, gradual process blah blah. Action on srilatha interfaces.
- Fine tune the specifics - Action on each of us (???) mails?? further meetings??
- Trek - Akash to drive (yeah, right!!!)
- Spoorthy - Murtuza to drive
- NIE - propose the plan he has in mind - Rohit
- A mission document on V - Dharin
Minutes of Meeting:: 21st May, 2006 (7-9PM)
Meeting @ A/D's residence. Attended by Akash, Ami, Anil, Dharin, Murtuza, Shaheen, Sowmya, Srinka.
Highlights
* Warden - we can help in the search. (they are looking for one warden for 3-3.5k. no funds from us, thank you)
* Saranga trust - science sessions to happen. at least 4 sessions (yes, we know it is not enough. the more the better, but we're drawing up our boundaries). We also need to provide the kids with a platform to demonstrate/showcase their improved science experience.
* Saranga trust for career counseling - to be discussed with Hema Srinivas. This is only a broad plan. More details will evolve as we discuss with hema srinivas (who is currently out of india, expected back in june/july or 3 months).
* We need to push for english medium for new kids and as many of the existing ones as possible. This can be a gradual process.
* 4th to 7th std kids. As always, catch 'em young. 1st to 3rd can sit along if interested, but our focus will be more on 4th to 7th to strengthen the foundations. Key Focus Areas:
* Once in 2 months, we should try and organize something like a career day. The funda is to get people from different fields/careers to talk about their profession.
* Involve wardens in activities to whatever extent we can. This is to pull wardens into the system, make them feel more responsible etc. and take more interest in the overall development of the kids. Do this without worrying about the effectiveness with the current wardens.
* Profiling - Fine tuning to be done later. Involve wardens to get inputs. Do a dry run of profiling with a few kids (as in what details, how we want to put it etc.) and then take it to Srilatha. Details, as mentioned earlier, to be worked out about what information we will record and how we will go about collecting it. (No background/sensitive information etc.)
* Calendar: ~36 weeks for us.
Highlights
* Warden - we can help in the search. (they are looking for one warden for 3-3.5k. no funds from us, thank you)
* Saranga trust - science sessions to happen. at least 4 sessions (yes, we know it is not enough. the more the better, but we're drawing up our boundaries). We also need to provide the kids with a platform to demonstrate/showcase their improved science experience.
* Saranga trust for career counseling - to be discussed with Hema Srinivas. This is only a broad plan. More details will evolve as we discuss with hema srinivas (who is currently out of india, expected back in june/july or 3 months).
* We need to push for english medium for new kids and as many of the existing ones as possible. This can be a gradual process.
* 4th to 7th std kids. As always, catch 'em young. 1st to 3rd can sit along if interested, but our focus will be more on 4th to 7th to strengthen the foundations. Key Focus Areas:
- reading and writing (english and kannada)
- basic maths (using practical, real life examples),
- weave multiple subjects into reading sessions to make it broad based.
- spoken english (english skills, in general)
- more all round personality development (I added this, though i guess this is a given)
- saranga for science
- NIE - Newspaper In Education, The Hindu initiative has well-developed modules for dramatics, life skilss etc. We will get in touch with them for the possibility of getting them into V for sessions or using some of their modules ourselves. Proprietary/IPR issues are involved.
- Get Maria to either do sessions at V or impart some of her expertise to us (lady volunteers), so we can use the fundas.
[S Observes]:: When we discussed NIE and Maria, we were doing this more for 8th to 10th kids. But I feel it is more general stuff that can be used across levels. Even saranga science, for that matter, can be for both groups. I think we need some more definition about the focus areas for 8th to 10th group. Currently, we have language skills and overall P.D as focus. Of course, PD covers almost everything, but do we want to get a little more specific here??* Our sessions will be once a weekend (as against more, take it slow). We are considering change of timings to accomodate volunteers' convenience. Decision on specifics later.
* Once in 2 months, we should try and organize something like a career day. The funda is to get people from different fields/careers to talk about their profession.
* Involve wardens in activities to whatever extent we can. This is to pull wardens into the system, make them feel more responsible etc. and take more interest in the overall development of the kids. Do this without worrying about the effectiveness with the current wardens.
* Profiling - Fine tuning to be done later. Involve wardens to get inputs. Do a dry run of profiling with a few kids (as in what details, how we want to put it etc.) and then take it to Srilatha. Details, as mentioned earlier, to be worked out about what information we will record and how we will go about collecting it. (No background/sensitive information etc.)
* Calendar: ~36 weeks for us.
- one trek
- at least 4 saranga science sessions
- 2 spoorthy
- 6 life skills (this is particularly Maria's sessions or the NIE folks' sessions)
- that leaves 17 weekends for our other sessions (specifics to be worked out)if you really did work out the math, we just kept 6 weeks buffer. :D
[S observes]:: What about summer camp (like this time)?? I suppose the summer camp is outside of these 36 weeks.If there are any omissions or additions (;p) or misrepresentations, please feel free...
R's Bangalore Notes - #2 (Profiling)
R's bangalore notes on profiling...
Continuing with my notes...
Although we had initiated various modes of documentation in the past, most of them were activity based. I strongly feel the need for Student based profiling. I noticed quite a few issues regarding the information we have about the students at V.
(I'm bringing in some history here & there, coz I feel it would help the new vols with some orientation; Pls feel free to crib if you don't want it)
There was a time when the average weekly interaction of a regular volunteer with the kids was nearly 5 - 6 hours and atleast 50 % of the time dedicated to academic teaching. As a result, vols thoroughly know the capabilities of the students and their weak spots, and teaching-activities were more often than not tailor-made and dynamic to suit the needs.
The reduction in time spent and the nature of activities being conducted now poses a lot of challenges. I feel these points below are some of them.. How imposing each of the challenge is, is something the vols can input.
-> Individual focus and attention goes low
-> Specific difficulties in learning can go unnoticed
-> The scope of discussing personal issues takes a beating
-> Continuity of overall progress at individual level is unclear
-> Volunteer - Student mutual accountability at individual level (..I know this is a sensitive one)
I am sure you have got the gist of what I am trying to put across. To overcome this, as has been suggested earlier, I favour taking up the task of individual student profiling.
It means that
-> We maintain a database wherein each student's information is regularly updated.
-> Standard info - age, class, past academic progress, extra-curricular achievements if any, spl skills, etc (you can think of more)
-> Background, Management remarks when admitted - lets debate on this
The above is static info; now for some dynamic stuff
-> Need to identify areas where we can define the progress of the student qualitatively like language & communication, participation, leadership qualities, career interests (these will and should keep changing), role models, etc.. (brainstorming needed)
-> Problem areas: (Personal, academic, general) - needs defining
-> Vibes: What they feel about V, Warden, their school, environment, friends/foes,
teachers, (Cribs & praises)
-> Progress: (Academic, lifeSkills, problems handled, overall periodic review)
Maybe what I have listed above are rather broad lines, but I would like the group to initiate the debate on this NOW, so that by the time the academic year starts we have some idea of what we want to profile. But we need to answer these questions first.
1. Are we agreeing to have this?
2. Who are the action owners? (A suggestion is that one person can co-ordinate the database, while we have people taking responsibility for primary, secondary, high-school levels) Names please
3. Format of the database?
4. Other finer aspects like time & resource involved in setting this up.
I guess its enough fodder for now. Can we have these questions answered asap, and also action-owners decided soon.
Let me end this mail with what I feel is the underlying philosophy for the need of profiling; that is to see to it that the kids don't stray away. This is one of the ways volunteers can be more active in this, since the individual involvement with the kids could go a long way in relationship building with the volunteers and feeling more secured and responsible.
R's Bangalore Notes - #1
R's bangalore notes from the egroups...
After a hectic multi-agenda Bangalore trip, I would like to bring forth a lot of notes concerning Vatsalya, which I have made after talking to volunteers, kids and ofcourse Srilatha madam.
The main points which I want to drive home concern the upcoming academic year and how we want to prepare for the same. We have seen the healthiest exchange of mails ever on the Vatsalya e-group in the last 2 - 3 months and I feel now is the time to consolidate those ideas, while at the same time having a macro view of the many threads going on.
Its nice to see many threads, but what I would like to put forth here is a few top priorities. We need to look at them as a year's project with specific targets, specific action-owners and periodic reviews. The reasons are varied and many. What I hope to see from the group is a consensus on the top-focus areas and decision on the action owners to start with. Modus operandi can follow.
I shall write separate mails on each of these so that the threads of discussion can be consolidated.
1. Career awareness: Research - Contacts - Database - Sessions - Interaction with different professionals - Professional career guidance - Resources
2. Science Club: Regular experiments - association with Saranga, planetaurium, Science olympiad foundation (??) - seminars - projects - quizzes - fun - Disha (??)
3. 10th and above: Support - College admissions - vocational training - jobs
4. Students Profiling: Talent identification - monitoring - problem spotting - review
I have not mentioned lifeSkills since I believe it is going on at a set-pace and according to a well managed program. Also important is PR with management (Policies - programs - wardens - liaison) I'll be happy if someone other than me writes on this.
Also, relation building with the kids now needs to be specifically thought about, since the duration of interaction with the kids has gone down. Periodic camp-ins, etc and other counselling activities on health, sexuality, EQ are more necessary now than ever before.
I am sure there are other ideas of what the top priorities are; these are merely the lines on which I have made some mental notes. More stuff to follow.
In Railway Halls
In railway halls, on pavements near the traffic,
They beg, their eyes made big by empty staring
And only measuring Time, like the blank clock.
They beg, their eyes made big by empty staring
And only measuring Time, like the blank clock.
No, I shall weave no tracery of pen-ornament
To make them birds upon my singing tree:
Time merely drives these lives which do not live
As tides push rotten stuff along the shore.
- There is no consolation, no, none
In the curving beauty of that line
Traces on our graphs through history, where the oppressor
Starves and deprives the poor.
Paint here no draped despairs, no saddening clouds
Where the soul rests, proclaims eternity.
But let the wrong cry out as raw as wounds
This Time forgets and never heals, far less transcends.
-- Stephen Spender(1909-1995)
One of my favourites.
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
A poem that captivated me coupla months back... Have been meaning to print this out and post at V notice board somewhere... Guess I'll eventually get to it one of these days... Desideratum (Latin origin) means something considered significant or highly desirable.. Enjoy the poem!
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
Monday blues
Monday morning.
The deadline....skip the run...land at office....after a grand bath (tried a new shampoo)
And start the work (new project)....and soon lost in many a thing.....deciphering a pseudocode....need to figure out some 60 variables.....who are these blokes, what are they doing to each other kinds.
Life Sucks.
Go for a coffee.
Tell Partha 'When Life Sucks, we go for a coffee'.
He thinks, and retorts.
'Earth Sucks, otherwise we would fall off' ;-))
Ladies & gentlemen,
Earth Sucks.
For all those kids
Worrying 'bout the next meal
Warm clothes
And a shelter
And not worrying 'bout
Teachers, & Exams.
Shattered homes/Relationships
Unseen love/care/affection
Thats where we will pitch in, right ??
13 minutes taken up, need to get back to that ^%$^& code.
Life Sucks!!!
The deadline....skip the run...land at office....after a grand bath (tried a new shampoo)
And start the work (new project)....and soon lost in many a thing.....deciphering a pseudocode....need to figure out some 60 variables.....who are these blokes, what are they doing to each other kinds.
Life Sucks.
Go for a coffee.
Tell Partha 'When Life Sucks, we go for a coffee'.
He thinks, and retorts.
'Earth Sucks, otherwise we would fall off' ;-))
Ladies & gentlemen,
Earth Sucks.
For all those kids
Worrying 'bout the next meal
Warm clothes
And a shelter
And not worrying 'bout
Teachers, & Exams.
Shattered homes/Relationships
Unseen love/care/affection
Thats where we will pitch in, right ??
13 minutes taken up, need to get back to that ^%$^& code.
Life Sucks!!!
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