Sunbeam Trust, Mumbai : Monthly Activities Report for November 2006

 Sunbeam Trust, Mumbai : Monthly Activities Report for November 2006

MONTHLY ACTIVITIES REPORT – NOVEMBER ’06      

EDUCATION

The children returned to Sunbeam classes after the Diwali vacations and studies resumed soon thereafter.

Next month, we’ll be sending the results of the second Unit Test that’ll take place in December. But this month we’d like to share with you one of our professionally trained B.Ed. teacher’s experience in Sunbeam viz. a viz. her expectations of working in an NGO (Please read the attachment.) This will give you all an in-depth idea of the numerous challenges that the field staff have to encounter to bring about the desired academic results of the beneficiaries we reach out to.

MAGIC BUS / SUNBEAM EVENTS

26 children of the Worli center had gone to Karjat for an overnight camp from 3^rd to 5^th November. The journey began with a lot of singing and dancing in the bus. The children were thrilled at the prospect of staying in tents instead of a regular dwelling. The Magic Bus mentors had organized different competitions like climbing the wall and commander nets, with proper guidance and support from the mentors which helped the children overcome their fears.

The children from all Sunbeam centers took part in the football matches (organized by Magic Bus) with the other NGOs held at different venues.

On 26^th of November 135 children together from Bandra and Chandanwadi centers visited the zoo for a picnic the children had a lot of fun learning about the different animals.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The Vocational Training classes that started in Worli in September ’06 for hobbies like music, dance and singing are going on well with 30 students taking the benefit and enjoying the same. 

This month, 8 students of Bandra centre, who are interested in music, dance and singing, are enrolled for classes with Center for Clean Cities, an NGO close to our Kherwadi Center, which has given us a 50% concession on fees and so the parents bear the expense of the same. Initially, the number of students who registered was 17, of which only 8 finally enrolled. Our attempt would be to explain to the parents the long term benefits of these classes and encourage them to enroll their children who are interested in different hobbies.

25 students of Worli centre, who are interested and good in drawing, have started training under Urvi, a volunteer who is a professional in drawing and an interior designer.

Study skill workshops are being conducted at all centers from std. VII to std. XI to improve the students’ academic results.

FROM SOCIAL WORKERS TO B.ED. TRAINED TEACHERS

There was a time when Sunbeam conducted Non Formal Education Classes for a bunch of street children and our social workers doubled up as teachers to teach them the three R’s or basic reading and writing skills.

Then came the time of ‘Bridge Course’ when children, who were totally illiterate, were trained up to a certain level and then admitted in BMC schools in respective classes as per their age and aptitude.

Sunbeam then started study classes to support these children to cope up with their school studies. We also started enrolling needy students who were already into formal schools but did not have any other support to keep up with their studies. Today, we are proud to say that we run study / support classes where we have professionally trained D. Ed. / B. Ed. Teachers to teach these students as per their regular school syllabus. 

CHALLENGES AT STAFF RETENTION

We also have to face a sizeable staff turnover, especially among the teachers. Some of them are unable to fit into the NGO structure and are disillusioned by our centers (a few of which are in the heart of the slums from where our beneficiaries come), while others leave for better prospects due our limited salary scales that is in line with NGO pay scales.

Despite this limitation, it is heartening to note that our children’s education remains unaffected at all our centers as we always have a backup of substitute teachers who are equally qualified to take care of the situation till we manage to appoint new teachers.

We are also fortunate many a times whenever our old staff, who had earlier left due to personal reasons, return to Sunbeam as and when vacancies arise. Too much time is not required on induction of these staff members as they are already familiar with our culture and other practices.

RESOURCE GENERATION

Cash / Cheque Donations

Email – sunbeamtrust@hotmail.com