No 49 binder

Opening doors to a brighter future

By Bhavans Rajaji Vidyashram, Chennai.

Our Guiding Motto

“ Give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time.”

- Chinese Proverb

While deciding on a project for DFC, we decided to do something which would make a lasting positive change in their lives!

The slums behind our school was always a matter of concern for us. As a part of “Adopt a Neighbourhood” project, we have been helping them in small ways:

Organizing medical camp with free check up and medicine.

Teaching women to make paper bags from newspaper to supplement their income, etc.

The first step would be to conduct a sample survey to find out the numbers, age group, educational level, etc of the target group.

We realised there were lots of young school dropouts idling around. We decided to do something to keep them productively occupied.

We earmarked 3 slum areas and approached the local leaders there who could assist and guide us.

We involved our entire class of over 100 students in the survey – divided ourselves into groups of 4 and conducted the survey.

Survey

Large number of school dropouts/ unemployed/ unskilled youth between the ages of 18-25.

Several middle aged unskilled people looking for jobs.

Willingness to work but total ignorance of courses, vocational training facilities, who to approach for guidance, etc.

Survey Results

We decided to hold an Education/Employment Fair where people could meet NGOs/agencies and learn about the different courses available and enroll for courses/jobs.

We compiled a list of NGOs that specialise in giving free, short term vocational training and briefed them of our project.

About 8 NGOs confirmed their participation. We also located security agencies and retail outlets that

would require unskilled workforce. Since it was unsafe to visit slums on our own we sought the assistance of ‘Bhumi’, an NGO that works with the slum dwellers.

Once the day and date of the fair were decided, banners and pamphlets were printed in Tamil giving details of the fair, courses offered, time, venue, etc.

Pamphlets and Banners

For wider publicity we hired auto rickshaws with loudspeakers and went around the slums announcing about the fair and distributing pamphlets. Banners were put up in crowded areas in the slums. The entire expense of Rs.6000/- was met partly by the school and partly shared by the students.

The courses offered ranged from tailoring, nursing, baking, auto mechanics, driving, basic computers and data entry, beauticians, etc. One university even offered to take students and put them through 3 years training in computer software and give them back office jobs!

Employment/Education Fair

Some of the NGOs/agencies that participated in the fair were: •Winners Bakery •The Construction Industry Development Council •Rotary Club Of Madras •Dr. Reddy’s Foundation •ZOHO Corp •Suyam Trust •Spencer's Daily Outlet And many more

We had planned to have stalls around the school grounds but due to sudden rains, we had to shift the venue to an unused multi purpose hall. Our entire class stayed back in school till late in the evening sweeping, scrubbing and cleaning floors, arranging tables, etc.

Employment Fair

Next morning the stalls were set up and groups of volunteers took on duties like registration guiding participants, helping with form, etc. There was a steady flow of enthusiastic people of all ages. The NGOs came prepared with pamphlets, brochures, powerpoint presentations, etc to brief people.

At the fair

•When the fair wound up and we analysed our response – we realised that our efforts were not in vain. •We had managed to make a change in the lives of quite a few people directly and indirectly….. •About 8 to 10 unemployed people had been recruited by retail outlets/security agencies. •Around 15 to 20 school dropouts had enrolled in various skill training programmes. •Many more went home with lists/brochures/addresses of various courses available for future use.

Our Success

Our Aim

To do our bit to help un/underemployed people find gainful employment.

Expose school dropouts to vocational courses and avenues available to them.

Connect select NGOs and slum dwellers, so that they can assist and guide youngsters who need help.

THE FACT THAT WE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE ALL THIS IS INDEED REWARDING.

Our Learning

While we have several career counselling facilities, children of our age group in the slums idle away their time due to lack of such guidance.

If we the privileged can guide them it can change their entire lives.

Nikhil Raja Sharanya Ramesh

Priyanka Ravi Pratibha R K

Keerrthaana H

Teacher co-ordinator: Mrs. Radha Venugopal Technical assistance: Mrs. K. Lavanya Thulasi