Power of Volunteerism

1. Akanksha Foundation & Bakul Foundation Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much -Helen Keller Presented By: Amitabh Singh Yadav P08003 Rashmi Kamath P08042

3. Fun activities to teach English, Math, and other subjects

4. Art for Akanksha

6. Providing disadvantaged and advantaged children equal opportunities to build their own capabilitiesHow Children’s Library Bakul Arts program

7. Source of inspiration Visits to Mumbai's slums made the wide gap between the rich and poor very apparent. While teaching a Hindi-speaking girl English, realized they were doubly disadvantaged - lack of skills, lack of English knowledge Children from nearby slums would listen in to their conversations, and over the next months their sessions became regular evening classes To mobilize a thousand people who would directly contribute to set up a library Started with a target of 1000 supporters by 1st April, 2007. Ended up with 1011.

8. Opportunity Identification 2.3 million children in Mumbai in slums / on streets Provide them with access to learning experience, different from the formal education system Government-run schools are poorly equipped Attempting to create job opportunities by Emotional as well as Intellectual Development Teaching English – the language of the job-market Targeting children with the greatest needs Decline of Reading Culture Lot of people willing to contribute in their small way Connectivity to the world through Internet “Donate a book, build a library” Provides access to books, multimedia and educational material to children Provides opportunity to thousands of people to contribute meaningfully.

9. Innovation (Bakul Bringing together available resources - the minds of less fortunate children, volunteers, underutilized spaces and resources Teaching Methodology followed Providing Career Orientation and Guidance Help a student set career goals Help a student clarify career goals How to be a Mentor How to prepare Mentors

10. Innovation Channelizing energy of volunteers towards a cause Using online media for garnering support for “Donate a book, Build a Library” Inculcating a good reading culture by introducing non-formal methods such as story-telling sessions, film workshops, etc. No fee for reading / referencing in the library, No formalities for becoming a member hence making it accessible to all and sundry

11. Value Creation & Impact(Akanksha) over 2,600 children in 51 centres in Mumbai and Pune, additional 2100 children in 10 schools (adopt a school) Average attendance at an Akanksha centre is 80% Enabling slum kids to compete in new economy Creating an active volunteer group (300 locals) Changing the mindset ”I have stopped going to school because my parents think that I have become big” “If Akanksha had not happened to me 10 years ago, I would be loafing around like my other friends today or would have remained illiterate”

12. Value Creation & Impact A children library with 8000 books, multimedia etc. Giving opportunity to thousands of volunteers to contribute Exposing children to various art forms like story telling, painting, movies workshop

14. Started with donations of supplies such as books, papers.

15. A typical centre operates currently on an annual budget of US $ 5500

17. Volunteers encouraged to participate through presentations

18. Mentors selected from CSR initiatives of the corporate.

20. Support from eminent people from diverse fields

21. Plans to use network for guidance, mentoring activities for organizations such as Infosys, for needy meritorious children

22. a node to catalyze people to come together and volunteer

24. Leadership & Personal Qualities Passion Empathy Determination Patience Foresight

26. What’s in common? Sector Education Social Class Targeted Children in the age group of 5 – 17 Aim to Create sensible reading culture through a mixture of both formal and informal methods of learning Focus Creating a potent instrument to build children’s capabilities to actualise the opportunities of a ‘knowledge economy’ and lessen the growing socio-economic inequalities. Reach Currently Local Vision Filling in gaps in undergraduate education in the surrounding area by having extension programmes

27. Thank You