VIDYA Umang - Inspiring Confidence

On November 27th, 2010, I had the privilege of attending the Science Exhibition put together by the students who participate in VIDYA's Umang program in Powai, Mumbai. As a former volunteer with VIDYA it was a real pleasure to attend this event and see familiar faces. More importantly, I had a fabulous time being explained the various science projects the students had put together for the exhibition. Each group of students had clearly rehearsed their presentations and worked very hard to express themselves clearly and thoroughly. They of course spoke in Hindi and Marathi, but made an extra effort to practice their English skills with me. On my way out of the exhibit, if there is one thing I took away with me, it was the smiles on the students' faces as they teemed with confidence while presenting the projects they had worked so hard on, to all the guests that had come to see and learn. Just being able to see that impact that this event had on those participating children made the whole exhibition a huge success in my view.

Archana Pandaya,Volunteer

“ ----- VIDYA Umang(150 children) worked out of the comfort of the IITBombay Campus School till a few months ago when they were stopped from entering the IIT Bombay by the security. They decided to shift their classes to a Ram mandir, located in the poorest part of Powai and instead of complaining about the difficulties of working out of this new space they adjusted in a day, found a new found happiness and organized an outstanding science exhibition for the entire community children and were reported in the press!

I am really proud of these amazing children and their teachers and leaders!

Bravo!”

Rashmi Misra

Bonding over books

23^rd October,2010, 10 Am. Crossword BookStore, Nirmal LifeStyle Mall, Mulund

This was an impromptu from the heart visit spurred on by the enthusiasm of VIDYA Umang staff,Geeta Joshi, the planning by Gurav Sir and support by Balaji Sir. 11 children of class 9 and 10 children hopped on to a BEST bus, bought their own bus tickets accompanied by the 3 teachers,reached NIrmal Mall in Mulund. For Manisha it was the first ever ride in a BEST bus. The morning's plan to browse at Crossword a sprawling bookstore. The mall was quite colourful and the Diwali colours were still on. They began the visit at the art exhibition by 71 year old, national award winning Prabhakar Mohite's oil colours. The art work was human faces and the children were freely expressing what they felt about each picture. Rekha spotted a huge Buddha painted on the pillars and was ecstatic.

At the store they were given a brief of how the books were classified under various heads- fiction, classics, crime and mystery, art, business management. A little in awe and hesitant to touch the books, once they were encouraged that the whole idea was to choose the books of their own liking there was no stopping them.

The colourful atlases, the Amar Chitra Kathas, stories of India's musical genius A R Rahman, Lata Mangeshkar, recipe books, and a small section on the Marathi books too. When Raju asked me what was an octave and getting a break meant I was happy beyond words. In the traditional classroom not often we see them letting down their guard. Here, neither right nor no wrong just touch, read, feel talk and explore...words like black mamba, was part of that day’s vocabulary. Dipesh, was looking at Surinam in a kids atlas and as he looked at Egypt in the atlas, the pyramids were familiar- courtesy Singh is King! And yes, the Colombian coffee beans- when asked to guess what it was he said it was chocos!! For Mohan, it was the Ramayan and the Dasavtar in Marathi which held him spellbound. Priyanka and Preeti were busy copying the fact file from the atlas for the presentation on Egypt and US for the UN Day.

Tarla Dalal's books and Sanjeev Kapoor's books had them excited! For each one the morning's expedition meant something- be it depositing the bags at the baggage counter, putting the books back in the right rack, being frisked by security and the escalator ride! .

It was a reluctant group that had to be gently asked to put down the books for their return to Powai.

Over Diwali faraal which they had brought and Masala Dosas and chai, they boarded the bus back to UMANG in time for the afternoon session but not before extracting a promise for more visits! It was truly a bonding over books especially for the adolescents who felt special to be part of an intimate group. Crossword Mulund was very helpful and told me it was the first time that such a visit had taken place at their premises.

Jayshree Murali

Mentor,VIDYA Umang

Core Management,VIDYA Mumbai

Earlier this year-'A School Like Mine'

In a gesture of generosity and compassion for the people of Haiti, the children of Pappankalan have shared this week further to one of my classes, in the project A school like mine the idea of contributing in thoughts and images with their friends of Haiti during this time of great sorrow.

I know Haiti well and have worked there in the past. Haiti has a special place in the heart of all French Canadians for being the only other country in the Americas that share our culture and language. This community is well established in Montreal and in exile for most of them. Being known as the poorest island in the western hemisphere, I am sadden to see such destruction afflicting Haiti and I know that the task of reconstruction ahead is phenomenal.

I just wanted to share these drawings with you all so that together we can in thoughts of love and compassion contribute in creating a positive energy for those who have lost everything in Haiti

Daniel Legnomedgl
Mentor\coordinator Pappankalan Community Outreach

Sharing - Shared Reading

When Shared Reading started at Umang in VIDYA, we just did not know what to expect. It looks fun, vibrant, and such energy, but we didn’t know if we can have uninhibited participation from all our children. But a few sessions old today, I can share that Shared Reading is an gem of an addition to our Program.

Shared Reading is done with Big Books, which are blown up representation of small story books with big drawings and more colour! Big Books are created so that the stories can be read out to a group of children together. Drama, sound and action reinforce meanings and language usage is followed by session on creative art expression, or writing and closing the session the children are encouraged to look through numerous story books.

The animated voices from the story, little elements of drama and freestyle body movements bring out the children in all of us alike and such joy with the kids! The children are asked to act out words, lines and stories and sometimes just be themselves. When one of first sessions ended a little chick made an appearance from one of the volunteers pouches and asked what the kids will do next? They all shouted, “Study” and “me too” said the chick. The chick is a regular at the sessions nowadays.

I reckon, somethings are just instant hit!