The Final Test

9^th October ’11,

After 3 odd months of teaching at JSS, it was time to reflect upon our as well as student’s performance. So Salil, Sagar, Varun and Priyamvada went to JSS on Sunday to carry out the tests. The test focussed on English writing and reading abilities and understanding of Mathematics fundamentals. The questionnaire was the same as given for benchmark test taken earlier. This was done to maintain the clarity in showing the improvement achieved.

A common test on basic mathematical operations was given to the children irrespective of the class in which they study. A separate test with increase in difficulty level was given to children of std. VI and above. It was nice to see each kid making efforts to complete the test correctly.

Everyone was asked to write a short composition on the topic ‘My Best Friend’. In oral test, each kid was asked to read few paragraphs of a story. The paragraph for everyone was same.

When asked about the test ‘how was it?’ it felt good to see the enthusiasm when the kids said they liked it. Significant improvements are seen in the performance by kids, in some case by more than 100%, in both English and Maths. Quantified exact improvement will be reflected in the comprehensive report being prepared.

Teaching time at JSS

We have made a number of visits to JSS teaching the kids during last one and a half month. Brief description of the same is provided below.

On 21^st August, Varun and Mohit made visit to JSS for their session with kids.

Varun preferred to help kids with computers. He explained them about the basics of Input and Output devices of a computer. He helped them in using keyboard. Along with learning to type on keyboard, kids also enjoyed learning English. This improved the efficiency of the exercise as it served 2 purposes.

Mohit took care of solving their doubts in Maths. He took a session of whole batch on Algebra dealing mostly with Squares and Prime Numbers.

With these 2 sessions, the day ended with adding value to these kids.

Next week, on 28^th August, Maitree and Sagar went to JSS for their session with kids.

For their convenience, they divided the batch in two groups such as kids of 4^th and above in one group and rest in other group. They took turns to teach them within their limited time frame.

Maitree took English as the agenda for the day. The focus was on three aspects of English language – grammar (noun and verb), vocabulary and pronunciation- by means of involving the children in a story exercise. She took a small story with the senior kids, working on the three aspects as she went ahead with the story. A similar exercise was followed with the junior children as well.

Sagar took up computer and made efforts to make kids comfortable with the components and basic concepts of computer and how input/output devices work. For the group of junior kids, he tried to make them acquainted with the keyboard by asking them to type their names. While for senior group, he extended the exercise by asking them to write the story they studied in the session with Maitree.

The following Sunday i.e. 4^th September, Salil and Priyamvada visited JSS for the session.

Priyamvada took English class with children this time. She preferred to teach them the topic which was coming for the students of 5^th standard in the exam they had next day. She read out few lines from the story given in their English book and made them read it aloud. She also further explained them the meaning of the sentences word by word. Since Maitree taught them Noun in the last session, she asked them to identify noun in the sentences. She helped them identify if they failed to. She also introduced them with the idea of pronouns and verbs. Thus children did split the sentence in the noun, verb and the few adjectives present in the sentences.

She also separately taught 5^th standard students about letter writing since it was coming in their exam. The response of the children was good. They enjoyed studying story, would follow the pattern most probably.

Salil taught Computers in the meantime. All the students up to class 5^th were made accustomed to mouse and keyboard. They tried to type anything they like for a span of 5 minutes. Also they made merry working with the mouse for the first time. Some students had nice control and could paint in MS- Paint while others did find it difficult and required some help. The enthusiasm and confidence of all the students were worth applauding.

Next Sunday i.e. 11^th September, Varun and Maitree visited JSS for the session.

Maitree proceeded with her English as agenda for the day. This was in continuation with the previous session on 28^th of August. Similarly, the batch was again divided in two groups-Seniors and juniors.

She focused on same three aspects of English language – grammar (nouns and verbs), vocabulary and pronunciation- by means of involving the children in a story exercise. She took a small story with the senior kids, working on the three aspects as she went ahead with the story. She also indulged junior kids in an exercise involving story building with animals, where she emphasized on nouns and verbs using their own choice of animals.

Varun again took Computers at hand to make kids comfortable with the use of keyboard. Using the same method as before, he continued with the teaching.

This session turned out to be the last session before out End-Sem Exams. We continued with our sessions after the exams from 2^nd October.

This day, Maitree and Sagar went to JSS. Maitree took up the task of teaching Computer skills to 40-odd children. Keeping in mind the differing comprehension and ability of the kids, divided them into seniors(class 4 and above) and juniors (class 3 and below).She took up typing specifically as agenda for the session .Starting with the senior children, she gave them a small typing exercise involving words, punctuations and special characters. The children attempted the same on her laptop one by one and by the end of the session were able to identify some of the keys apart from the alphabets. She repeated a similar exercise with the junior kids and by the end of almost two hours the children were able to recall some of their learning during the session.

Sagar took session on maths covering aspects of algebra and basic arithmetic. Students showed interest in learning and their doubt clearance even pushed the class beyond its stipulated time.

Jan Seva Sansthan- The Journey Begins

Date 31^st July 2011

We started with our initiative to contribute to Jan Seva Sanstahan. As per the decision of the group me (Salil) and Priyamvada were given the responsibility to start off the first session with the students. The ride from college to the ashram was filled with the discussions as to where to start and how to be at best comfort with the children. And soon we were in front of the ashram.

Guard bhaiya (who happens to be an inmate of old age home) welcomed us with a big smile, which showed that not just the children but every single person in the ashram holds hope and optimism in their life. We reached around 3:15 pm in the afternoon and found children were sleeping. We went to their rooms just to see how calmly they were sleeping. Some were nicely stretched out, while few bundled up together on a single bed. The Caretakers asked us whether to wake them up but we preferred to wait. It’s never good to steal someone’s sleep and that too from those who are yet to know how to complain.

Few minutes passed by and it was time for their snacks. We were seated in the lobby which is in the way to their mess. One by one we could see them waking up, rubbing their eyes, smiling at us. Some felt shy, some said ‘Namaste’, but I’m sure all were delighted to see us.

After snacks, they were supposed to do self-study for an hour in their common hall. So we decided to start off with our session by first getting to know them and making them comfortable. It was nice to see them all sitting together and study though they were more interested in what we were doing, but sitting together mattered a lot. For our ease and to keep it effective and interactive, we decided to divide our tasks in two:

1. I took up the charge of helping the children with their Maths and English doubts.

2. Priyamvada tried to focus on their knowledge in Computers.

Priyamvada sat in an adjoining room with her laptop to start the session with enthusiastic students. Meanwhile I asked the students to carry on with their home work and call me if they have any doubt. After interacting with a few senior students we came to know that computer classes start from 3^rd standard in their school. So I asked students class wise to go the adjoining room with their computer books. Everyone seemed happy hearing the word computer.

First was a little kid from 3^rd standard, a little nervous and more excited to see the laptop. She asked him about his basic details so as to keep a database about them. But instead of updating the excel Sheet herself, she asked him to do the honours. And this became our first evaluation about their English knowledge and typing abilities. Likewise, children from each class came and filled the excel sheet. Most were excited, curious and quick learners. She guided them with the typing, English and also had look at their syllabus. They are keen to learn but are unfortunate not to have proper facilities.

In the mean time I was entertaining the doubts of students. The doubts ranged from solving quadratic equation to doing addition/subtraction. One challenge was that few students were having their subjects in Hindi medium. So it was not a learning experience for them but for us too. But their commitment and enthusiasm really impressed us. Time flew by and we did not realise it was already 5 pm, their play time. None of them explicitly asked to go because we had been able to keep them busy and interested in the work. Some kept working even after we asked everyone to go and play.

Overall it was a satisfying and fulfilling experience.

Jan Seva Sansthan- The Road Ahead

Date: 21^st July, 2011

We had our first official meeting with swami ji of Jan Seva Sansthan. We made some propositions as to in which fields can we help them perform better being management students. He listened to our proposals patiently.

Our proposals included helping them manage their accounts, helping them in other documentations related to the organisation. But he emphasized on this organisation being more like a family and offered us to provide basic domestic help. He also mentioned that we can also teach the children in the organisation on the weekends as in to help them develop on their weaker areas. We agreed to help the students in their vocational courses and also computer learning.

While talking about the organisation, Swami Ji mentioned that except for the children who live in the sansthan, around 290 children come there from the community. They are offered education, food and other basic needs till they stay there before returning to their homes in Bus service provided by the organisation. Thus we offered for providing counselling to the parents of the students who play a vital role in the development of their child. Swami Ji was impressed with the Idea and agreed upon taking this initiative ahead.

Then we also discussed about the development of the child in this organisation. A child can be assessed on the basis of his/her social development using various parameters. We are basically concerned about the factors which are tangible and can show a child’s personality development distinctly. Swami Ji seemed really interested in this analysis as we offered to provide information about the growth in a child’s social behaviour and development.

So this all sums up to our focus being on following points:

1. Providing help on the educational front so as to improve on child’s weaker areas.

2. Carrying out vocational training which helps in personality development.

3. Visiting community houses to provide counselling to ward’s parents.

4. Preparing analysis on Social Development of the child using various parameters.

Keenly looking forward to challenges and opportunities ahead.

Jan Seva Sansthan: An Initiative

As part of our social development initiative, we decided to visit Jan Seva Sansthan on Bhiwani Road, Rohtak.

About Jan Seva Sansthan

Jan Seva Sansthan is in existence for nearly two decades now. It is being looked after by Swami Param Chaitanya Ji Maharaj, who had completed his Masters in Business Administration in 1979.He had worked with Oswal Agro as a senior official before deciding to dedicate his life towards the noble cause of philanthropy.

The Sansthan, over a period of 25 years, has forayed into several divisions to address issues like care for the elderly, for women, for kids and also for physically and mentally challenged people. They are doing a wonderful job of managing so many activities together with a staff of just fifteen people. Most of the work is being done on a sharing basis by inmates themselves and there is a very strong sense of community belonging among themselves.

At the Sansthan we met Ashok ji, who is one the senior members and he was courteous and hospitable with us. We were offered kheer and it was delicious. Ashok ji talked about how the various divisions came into existence and how activities were being conducted within various divisions. The ashram was very neat and clean and had a lot of greenery there. We were told all this was maintained by the inmates themselves. They even have an English medium CBSE affiliated school specifically for the underprivileged kids. Students from well to do families are not admitted there as the institute is meant specifically for orphans or for children whose families are below poverty line. Moreover it was a pleasure to learn that the ashram inmates belong to different castes and creeds and are not just from Haryana but from all over India.

Apart from its current activities within the ashram, the sansthan also organizes blood donation camps in the city. They have successfully helped 110 people get new vision through eye donation camps.

Our experience

Ashok ji took us on a round of the ashram. He showed us around the rooms where kids were staying, the kitchen, the rooms of physically and mentally challenged people. The entire experience was an eye opener for us. We felt a need to help them in whichever way it was possible for us.

Next Steps

We plan to go there again in a few days, spend some quality time with the kids and also seek Swami ji's advice on how we could help the sansthan further in their quest to make the world a better place.