We believe that education is the stepping stone to creating responsible future citizens in the young children of today, and to empowering youth and adults to be responsible citizens in the present as well. To this end, we envision others joining us; together, we shall build a symbiotic better and brighter future for all.
Here are a few of our future plans:
- Expanding Hamari Kaksha’s Reach
Initially we would like to expand our model of after-school education for underprivileged children of impoverished communities in and around the tri-city areas of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. We recognize that one consequence of urbanization has been the increase in migration for labourers. Many children in such families seeking work do not attend school due to their transient existence, and remain out of the mainstream even as the family moves on in search for work again. Accordingly, we would seek to expand our work into the semi-urban/ rural areas.
- Training Centers for Teachers
Our adoption of Responsive Classroom methodology has shown that the unconventional (only in that it is not the “Authoritarian” approach to teaching usually seen in our schools) methods we use are proven to be more beneficial to children. Our staff already visit local schools and Teacher Training Centers and Institutes to give lectures and refresher courses
Now, we hope to open formal/nonformal Teacher Training Centers at our centers; this will give interested teachers an opportunity to participate and learn in a hands-on manner and under staff guidance.
- Educating the Mother
Due to the cycle of poverty often perpetuated through generations, many a parent of the children in Hamari Kaksha have not been able to gain or benefit from an education. While we have been able to intervene with the children and try to rewrite their fate, we believe that adults can also benefit immensely from education. Our next goal in this arena is to start Adult Education Centers: Improving not only their basic literacy skills-but also paving the way to learning vocational skills.
- Vocational Centers
We also wish to start vocational centers to enable self-reliance in both our children and their parents. Our plan is to teach every child from class VI onwards a skill or vocation (according to her/his inclination), so that they may become proficient to practice it when they are older. Industry experts and various instructors would be hired to teach vocations such as carpentry, plumbing, bookbinding, dyeing, screen-printing, photography, drama & theatre, stage decoration, event management, front-desk management, computer operations, beauty & health care, crafts, tailoring etc.
- Mentoring Programs by City Youth
We are currently the only educational reforms organization in Chandigarh that allows interested volunteers to contribute a significant amount of time without hassle. We believe that privileged city youth can also benefit from volunteering with us and helping the children of Hamari Kaksha grow. Already, many youngsters take a proactive role in coming to intern or volunteer with us. Some even take on mentoring 2-3 children from their own locality after having learned the ropes with us. We hope to see more and more young people getting motivated to become “second siblings”.
- Replicating the Hamari Kaksha Model
We believe that our model of educational reform has immense potential to be implemented across the country. We know what the impact can be, and we hope to see other groups replicating the cost-effective methods. Community members interested in pitching in require no special qualification other than compassion, enthusiasm and patience to teach young children and counsel parents. The daily schedule is short and flexible timings allow ease of volunteering.
Most interestingly, the model is not bound by region or language, and everyone can benefit from coming together to help the underprivileged. There is an urgent need to have places like this all across the country, if we are to ensure that real education is indeed for all. Hamari Kaksha would be happy to share our experience, methodologies, and expertise with any groups interested in replicating our model.