Bridge the learning gaps of underprivileged children by Bhumi

Program Update

Most children have English communication skills that are below age-appropriate levels. Most children in Grade 2 are unable to recognize alphabets while Grade 5 students fail to write 3 letter words. Bhumi believes, that with the right kind of skill training, these children will become aware of letter-sound relationships. They will comprehend the manner in which they read and hear and express themselves effectively within a time span of 2 to 3 years.

An interactive platform targeted at children from underprivileged backgrounds helps them with their listening, reading and writing skills. Each volunteer from Bhumi is assigned a group of 4 to 6 students. The students are engaged in 2-hour long weekend classes that focus on helping the students recognize alphabets using interactive tools.

The progress of the children is assessed through baseline, mid-year progressive and year-end assessments to monitor every child's progress.

Story from the field

“The important thing is to never stop questioning”. Einsteins’ words resonate in every effort our volunteers take in giving children an experience they don’t get otherwise. Durga, Josewa and Kishore took part in First Lego League (FLL), an international competition organized by FIRST, where they are exposed to scientific and real-world challenges. They also built, tested, and programed an autonomous robot using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game.

Each student was chosen to create a diverse group which provided an opportunity to learn from each other and grow as the event progressed. The children were overjoyed with their first experience of real-time usage of robotics and we are thrilled to have given them access to such a platform!

In Durga’s words “Programming was at first very difficult. Keeping the robot at the starting line every time during the trial was also difficult because the robot was programmed to operate in zero gravity condition. But then I found a way to mark the starting point.” Josewa quoted that the problem they wanted to solve was creating gravity in space. They tried many things and finally got the solution where they created the rotating model. Kishore said they could not build a robot that competed all the tasks hence with great difficulty they kept changing the parts for every task. Fortunately, the exposure that these children gained in FLL made them derive solutions for the gravity problem.

Kishore, Durga and Josewa aspire to become scientists in the future and shared that they will apply these experiences when they become one. The three children are enthralled that they put in hard work as a team and gained immense knowledge from one another.

Program Update

Bhumi's academic programme poses a way to bridge educational inequities, in a scalable and cost-effective manner. The academic year began across cities where baseline assessments were implemented to identify the skills of the children. Programme kits were purchased such as story cards, flash cards, arrow cards, money cards, ganith mala etc., to deliver activity-based classes to the children. In the next few months, syllabus will be delivered to children based on their learning levels from the assessment conducted.

Story from the field

Dinesh was enrolled as a child in Bhumi's Ignite programme - Computer Project back in 2008 when he never had the opportunity to use a computer. In time, he was able to learn quickly, and he gained interest and enthusiasm because of the volunteer's teaching methodology. Due to his family situation, it was doubtful if he could study beyond class 10 but among other factors the confidence and motivation from the volunteers pushed him forward to pursue computer engineering in a polytechnic college. He went ahead to pursue higher studies further by taking an educational loan and with guidance from Bhumi volunteers, he continued to gain an in-depth understanding into computer science. While he aims to become a successful software engineer, he is aware of his community's needs - today, Dinesh volunteers with Bhumi to teach children in his neighbourhood the computer, thus creating a snowball effect of the nurtured nurturing others.

There is no one perfect way to make mainstream education more effective and interesting. Bhumi volunteers have made sure that our children appreciate what they learn, through their practical teaching methods and radical education fests. A pole-star in Bhumi's Ignite education programme is the Ignite Fest, an annual inter-shelter home education fest conducted in Chennai. At Ignite Fest, hundreds of children from different shelter homes and lower economic schools participate to display proficiency they have gained through the subjects taught by our volunteers. Children demonstrate project related models, conduct experiments and attend workshops, and thus get a unique opportunity to learn, compete and grow. This year (2017-18), the Fest was organized in National Institute of Fashion Technology on March 4, 2018. Over 950 children took part, displaying interesting projects made by them in teams, guided by volunteers. More than 260 Bhumi volunteers helped in organizing and conducting the event. The stage had inspired children to bring out their otherwise passive potential. Apart from the project expo, there were technical (learning-oriented) games and workshops for children. An example of one such game is Run to board, in which children had to connect different words to a common thematic word. Under Artoons, two main events were organised, aimed at bringing out the creativity of the kids. One event emphasized on how all paintings doesn't necessarily require a paint brush. It was demonstrated that any material like sponge, forks, straws, even hands can be used to portray creativity on paper; every child came up with creative ideas, efficiently using the materials. In all, the day proved to be an ensemble of talents, an inspiration to participants and the guests.

Rahul (name changed) was enrolled in Bhumi’s Delhi Ignite program, on the mentoring programme in high school, which pairs underprivileged children with volunteers who act as their mentors and role models. Though Rahul was in the mentoring programme, volunteers from all educational programmes under ‘Ignite’ in Delhi supported his education. Soon after his Class 10 final exams, Rahul moved back to his hometown and has been continuing his higher education. He has been educating more than 150 children in his hometown through an after-school program. Along with five other volunteers, he has been volunteering to train younger kids in their village. “I am liking it (teaching other children) so much. Time passes so quickly while teaching them. They are very eager to learn” – Rahul. It was a big achievement for Bhumi to learn how Rahul drew inspiration from the volunteers and decided to give back to society. Apparently, even in the Joy to the World program, he had asked for an Encyclopedia! Rahul stands as a leader to many underserved children in his village, just like how he was led by volunteers during his time in Delhi.