|
|
|
Another Powerful Wave
by Samyuktha Gorrepati
|
|
|
The village
library volunteer at Krishnagiri has a complaint. "These children come
and start asking for story cards at 6 am every day. Please tell them to
come only at specific times!" That explains how popular the Village
Library Program, one of the components of AID India’s Tsunami
long-term efforts, is. AID has indeed made a fresh beginning. It was
not just a matter of replacing what was lost in the Tsunami, but to
establish systems that make learning more fun, interactive and
educative.
|
|
|
|
The 'Library' is
a jhola bag consisting of 1-page laminated story
cards and story books, and low-cost booklets on simple science concepts
(developed by AID-India). It is maintained by a village volunteer and
circulated among the library network, so that the children get to read
a fresh set of stories every month. Currently, we are running 350
libraries in Tsunami-affected areas of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam,
Pondichery and Kanchipuram. Interestingly, more than 100 stories have
been collected from children themselves, along with their colorful
illustrations! More than 30 NGOs are a part of this network. "We have
been able to utilize this network to work on other programs like
primary education surveys, rushing immediate relief, identifying good
groups, etc", says Balaji Sampath, AID India coordinator explaining the
positive outcomes of the program.
|
The
Library goes to the children in a bag |
|
|
|
"Everybody Can
Read" -
A
Balwadi Class in Session
|
"I can read" certificate
function is another novel concept introduced by AID-India. The idea
started when a survey result showed that nearly 50% of Class 3 -5
students cannot read and write. Certifying in a public function the 50%
who can read, both encourages and challenges the teachers to train the
rest of the kids to become literate. AID India has developed a package
of materials - Padippum Innikum and Thenthuligal
(two books on reading), simple story calendars, a reading guidebook and
a lot of reading cards and has been training Government school
teachers. The program has been designed to make any school-going child
literate in 3 months. This pilot program has been started in 71 schools
in Tsunami-affected Koovatthur and has potential to start off across
the State.
|
|
|
|
How much does a
middle-school Science Lab cost? Beware, your guess could be totally off
the mark. The Eureka Science Lab costs just Rs. 2000 and has over 100
experiments in various basic science topics like Air Pressure, Day and
Night, Seasons, Heat and temperature. The idea is to convert science
classes into experiment based, dialogue and discussion based classes
– instead of passive rote learning of laws. More than 960
classes have been conducted in schools of the Tsunami affected areas in
Chennai and Koovathur, and with other NGOs in Bhuvanagiri, Pondicherry,
and Cuddalore as well. In addition, 10 Village Learning Centers have
been started across the state and function as resource centers for
hosting activities, training programs and activity kits.
|
"Science Can Be Fun" -
Building innovative minds
in a cost-effective way |
|
|
|
| "Devastating
waves overwhelmed their lives on Dec 26, 2004. A year later, there is a
new wave surging through these children – of excitement,
enthusiasm and an energetic love to learn and share. Do you feel it?" |
| |
|
|
|
|
