Make A Difference
Description
Make a Difference (M.A.D) is an organized youth volunteer network comprised of students and working professionals. We teach English and basic computer skills to children in orphanages and street shelters. Today we are a 350volunteer strong organization spread across 3 cities (Cochin, Pune and Chennai) teaching close to 900 children. All our orphanages are equipped with computers in the ratio of 1 computer per every 6 children. On completion of STD X, we provide our children with the option to go for higher studies with sponsorships or get thememployed with good organizations.
What we deliver
We provide quality education focusing on life skills and confidence building. We have five areas of operation: Teaching language skills: 2 hour classes twice a week in the orphanages. Communicative English is taught in a fun filled interactive way. Each MAD volunteer works with 510 children, thus giving individual attention to each child. The emphasis is on developing speaking skills and self confidence teaching language skills through computers: Each child goes through half hour computer sessions daily under volunteer supervision. They learn English using applications like Rosetta stone, Tell Me More, Gcompris, KDE Educational Suite and Childs play. Teaching computer skills: In addition to language skills, children are taught basic computer skills. The computer syllabus covers the following areas: 1. Fun based computer training in the initial stages 2. Typing Tutors for DTP training 3. Basic computer knowledge: hardware, components of the computer and their purpose. Familiarization with components 4. Software: installation and removal 5. Basic Office software: Word, Excel, Power Point. 6. O/S installation and basic networking Through computer training, they will also develop cognitive skills and language skills. They are encouraged to work on their own and learn through self discovery. Annual camps: Camps are conducted annually during holiday time. They focus on personality development, skill enhancement and confidence building. Children get an opportunity to interact with eminent personalities, learn new things, display talents and broaden their horizons. Placements & Scholarships: For children interested in pursuing higher studies, we provide guidance on academic options and find sponsors to fund their education. For children interested in taking up jobs after Std X or STD For children interested in taking up jobs after Std X or STD XII, we provide guidance on career opportunities during teaching sessions and through the placements mela that we conduct. We provide each orphanage with good infrastructural facilities by running libraries and computer labs.
Why is the project unique?
We are one of the only youth networks in the country providing long term and practically oriented education, financial support and employment support to underprivileged children. Our aim is to empower these children through language and computer education and facilitate their progression into sustainable employment based on their potential. Our project is unique because we have identified a need: education of underprivileged children; and a sustainable resource to bridge the gap: youth. In a survey we conducted, 2 out of three respondents said they wanted to help but nobody had asked them. The children need somebody to talk to them, counsel them and guide them into the future. Youth have the time and can relate to them. They require a network that provides access to those who need them most, training to prepare them to undertake such a task and organizational backing to provide infrastructural and other support. Make a Difference is a network of young individuals with a common purpose. All Volunteers are trained to teach: volunteers who teach English go through a certified teacher training course conducted by The Teacher Foundation; volunteers who teach Computer skills go through an orientation and a detailed syllabus is Provided
Roadmap
Our vision is to change the way our children learn and for this we believe the internet can be instrumental. Our website will become a platform for volunteers to learn and share better ways of teaching their kids and for our children it would be a window to similar children around India with whom they can interact and share their dreams. We deal with children for whom, till date, there has been no standard way of teaching, We are in the process of evolving a methodology to teach them English which, when perfected, can be shared with the world. In its final stage, our website will be a Knowledge repository not just for our teachers but teachers around the world.
Contact
Jithin Chacko Nedumala
Make A Difference
28/2060D Harmony,Enclave, Chillavanoor,Road, Kadvantra,
Cochin, Kerala, India
682020
