Fund after school classes to bridge learning gaps

Impact

A group of girls from Madras Seva Sadan Higher Secondary School in Chennai showcased their fashion quotient at the fashion show event in the Bhumi Ignite Fest - an annual inter-home talent fest for less fortunate children. By using products of everyday use like newspapers, colored paper, and charts, this bunch of girls made items that they exhibited on the ramp. Nisha, a standard 9 student made a crown using a Chinese hand-held fan while Nikita made one using rolled colored paper. Girls like Nisha and Nikita, who participated in the fest were extremely shy and reserved only until volunteers from Bhumi intervened, motivated them about their skills and brought them to the forefront.

About The Program

Ignite' is an after-school program run by Bhumi for 2800 underprivileged children. This program provides an opportunity for children from low-income families to be up-to-speed with the education standards of their age. These classes are held by volunteers on weekends with modern, interactive tools. Their progress is tracked through parameters like improvement in their scores from Baseline Assessment Tests. These children go to state-run schools during the week where their learning is debatable. The curriculum is put together to meet regional needs and undergoes periodic revision. Learning itself is activity-based to engage children on weekends. In addition to primary academic subjects, the supplementary education programme is designed to competently supplement academia, while building life skills. Children who are a part of Ignite also get opportunities to participate in Nakshatra, a talent development programme by Bhumi to exhibit and develop their talents in arts and sports.

About The NGO

Three like-minded friends in the year 2006 related closely to the need for quality education and believed a solution that creates educationally empowered youth capable of active participation and development of the community they belong to will make them self-reliant, and self-sustainable. Thus, Bhumi – India’‘s largest independent youth volunteering organisation was established in the year 2006 with a vision to help build a more influential, equal and socially conscious society and a mission to drive social change by fostering an environment where young adults & children learn, lead and thrive. Bhumi as a platform enables over 20,000 volunteers in over 12 cities across India for causes like education, environment, animals and community welfare. With an aim to render quality education, Bhumi provides comprehensive educational support for over 25,000 underprivileged children across India to help them break the cycle of poverty. Bhumi bridges the gaps in formal education and opportunities by providing language and STEAM education, life-skills support and scholarships for higher education:- through volunteers at orphanages during weekends- at low-income (private and government) schools with development support for teachers- education at after-school community centres in urban slums Most of our volunteers are students or working professionals under the age of 30 and go through mandatory orientation and in return gain immensely through our Leadership programme. Through this platform, the volunteers progress to more leadership roles and responsibility where they switch to education sector from the experiences gained from Bhumi. While holistic education is imparted to the children, Bhumi’‘s young volunteers are also transformed into socially conscious leaders in the education sector.