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Smile
Foundation and Samvedana has come ahead to work for the upliftment
and betterment of the children and women residing in the slums of
Ahmedabad. Samvedana has been working with the slums children, taking
a holistic approach towards education, keeping in mind the integrated
development of a child.
About the Partner
Samvedana is an NGO working
for the betterment of the slum children and women in Wajad, an area
of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Being the brainchild of one Mrs. Janki Vasant,
the inspiration for initiating Samvedana has been her association
with numerous social activities and organizations in the past. Besides,
social service has been a tradition of sort in the family and she
is born to well known social activists parents.
Subsequently, after her involvement
with disaster management task was over, Mrs. Vasant concentrated
on Wadaj area of Ahmedabad- which earlier had been a part of her
mother's legislative and parliamentary constituency. Though the
area had experienced visible progress but it was observed that Municipal
schools with all their infrastructures and government support had
hardly been able to provide teachings and learning even to basic
expected standard.
This led to Samvedana coming
into existence - presently working with children at an informal
level in Tulsinagar slums of Wajad. In the beginning, the school
was run in two small rooms in the middle of the community. Initially
starting with 30 children who came regularly, the strength has now
increased to 80 children attending this particular school and taking
quality yet free education.
The Project
Smile and Samvedana’s special Education
programme has 250 children, getting education from the project.
The number of teachers was four initially, which has now been
increased to eight. The classes are run in two shifts daily –
from 9.30 am to 12 noon and then 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
Samvedana is running a centre for regular classes
from 1 to 9 Standard, with a special class with bridge programme
for children with basic literacy problem. Irrespective of being
in any class. There are special children with specific abilities.
Presently, 10 children, who are exceptionally good in drawing
& fine arts are supported by an artist from Kanoria School
of arts. All the specific exams & competitions related to
fine arts for these 10 children are taken care by Samvedana.
The organization takes Bridge programmes for
children of class 1 to 3 in one classes, 4-5 in another class
and the rest in class third. Besides, syllabus oriented studies
are conducted, special focus is given on English language, art
& craft and value based education are imparted every week.
Music classes are also held once every week.
Academic
classes are organised for class 10th students. Besides these, computer
education workshops are also conducted for class 10th students.
Sponsoring students for education at private schools is another
important aspect attended for the beneficiaries.
Besides education, Samvedana has helped the victims
of flood and provide them the relief facilities. On Sundays the
activities such as Creative Arts, Sports, Pictionary, Library
and Public Speaking are organised. Faculties are invited from
outside as guest lectures. Picnics are also organised for the
children.
Special emphasis is given on subjects including
English, Computer and extra-curricular activities. A library is
maintained specifically for the. Regular health check-up programmes
are organized for the children with free distribution of medicines.
Special focus
- Regular Health check-up
for the children
- Computer workshops for
student of higher classes
- Periodic creative and
public speaking sessions
- Regular special classes
by external faculties as guest lectures
- Facilitating meritorious
students getting admission in public schools
Smile Foundation's support and Samvedana’s
commitment towards this joint endeavour in empowering these deprived
yet needy children is likely to go a long way in bringing positive
changes and spread inspiration in the whole society.
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