Short Summary
I am Devanik Saha, a Teach For India Fellow (2011-13). I was selected as one of the Top 25 Educational Innovators in 2012-13 Delhi by STIR Education ( a UK based NGO) for my low cost math model. Post my fellowship, I am co-starting a learning centre for empowering underprivileged girls in Sangam Vihar, an urban slum located in the heart of New Delhi, India which is the community where I currently teach.
The idea is to establish a learning hub focused towards educating girls to become community leaders and torchbearers of change for facilitating development and upliftment of their communities. With a strong focus on teaching social science and science to primary-level girls, belonging to both English and vernacular medium, the hubs will endeavour to use activity and project based learning as teaching tools to support their growth into responsible community leaders implementing community empowerment projects. English language skills would be imparted to high school girls using phonics program after which the girls would be involved with and trained to teach in our centers as we expand. Community impact projects will be pursued with women from the community engaging them in health awareness workshops. Weekends would be utilized in organizing Dance, Crafts, Arts and Self Defence classes for give to give effect to our objective of providing wholesome education. We would be involved with two major initiatives:
1) Primary Education Program
2) English Language Skills Program
Our Team:
Devanik Saha ( Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer)
Swati Rao ( Co- Founder and Chief Operations Officer)
What We Need
100 low cost math kits for kids: 200USD (2 USD/kit)
Basic Infrastructure and Logistics (like Fans, Sitting Mats, Lightbulbs, Wall Paint, Blackboards, Shelves, etc): 50USD
Books,Booklets and Materials: 100USD
Technology Based Learning (1 inexpensive tablet as teaching-aid): 100USD
Infrasturcture (Space Rent + Electricity Charge for 6 months): 480USD (80 USD/month)
Total Funds required to run Pilot for 6 months: 930 USD
The Impact
Innumerable hurdles exist for students enrolled in government-run schools looking for a meaningful education. In these schools, there is an acute dearth of teachers and, unfortunately, even those few who have the privilege of having a teacher present are not taught properly. As a result, these promising girls are denied opportunities to receive wholesome education, severely denting their chances to improve their lives. Our centre aspires to give these girls a meaningful, wholesome and well-rounded education to tap their inner potential and use it to effect change in their communities. We aim to reach out to more than 500 girls in our first phase.
For my previous experience, you can have a detailed look at the team's experiences and achievements here.
Other Ways You Can Help
You can help us get the word out in your circles and networks.
We thank you for all your support! Any and every contribution takes us one step closer towards ensuring meaningful education for girls of Sangam Vihar, New Delhi.