"Ojas' Mission: Help Tribal Children access Education & Sports in Mandla, MP."

My name is Ojas Kesavan Rengan, and I am a ninth-grade student residing in Bangalore. I was introduced to a student assignment by my school that requires me to carry out an act of social welfare for a cause that I feel strongly about.

I am very thankful to my school for endeavoring to broaden our horizons through the various subjects they teach us. They have covered a range of topics including Sports, Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, ICT, Art, Democratic Politics, Geography, Welfare, and Service.

Drawing from my Economics lessons, I am aware of the issues related to poverty and food security in our country. It saddens me to know that there are many young children, my age or even younger, who do not have access to half as many things as we do in my school.

In my quest to find a cause that resonates with me, I am determined to make a positive impact and contribute to addressing these challenges.

After a lot of research, I found the Mrida Education and Welfare Society in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. 

Mrida works to transform the lives of tribal children living in the most impoverished zones of Madhya Pradesh, India. 

Mrida nurtures excellence in these tribal children via sports and education.

Their Initiatives: 

1. Riverside Natural School and Hostel: They don't just provide education; they create a nurturing environment where children can thrive, learn, and grow while steering clear of harmful habits. The school not only focuses on basic schooling but equips these children with the tools and opportunities to start earning as early as 21 years of age. This is crucial in households surviving on just one meal a day, where the absence of a steady income is a plea for economic and social assistance. In such circumstances, the idea of not allowing a young member, especially a boy, to earn money for most of his youth doesn't sit well with impoverished and vulnerable families. They are working to change that narrative and empower the next generation. 

 2. Narmada Valley Football Program: Transforming lives through football, Mrida has cultivated champions. Their girls' team, overcoming societal norms, is now the MP champion and our boys are making waves nationally. Through this program, they are not just teaching football; they are teaching life skills and resilience. 

 3. Coding (Narmada Valley Aavishkaar Labs): Mrida believes in equipping children for the future. Through their coding program, children who had never touched a computer are now coding in Python, competing at national hackathons, and proving their mettle. 

 4. Health Initiatives: In a region where anemia affects 70% of children, Mrida stands out as a beacon of health. None of their residential students suffer from anemia, showcasing the impact of our holistic approach to education. 

I have come to believe that supporting the welfare of rural and tribal children through sports and a residential school is one of the most effective ways to provide them with opportunities that may be lacking in their communities.

While initially, I delved into this cause for my project, I consider myself fortunate to have connected with Mrida and its members, who have been guiding me in every aspect. Each day, I find myself increasingly engaged in understanding and learning about these students and their communities.

My goal is to deepen my understanding further and spend time training with them in sports. Simultaneously, I aim to contribute to fundraising efforts for their football grounds and other infrastructure facility needs, ensuring that they can not only stay in school but also enjoy the benefits of sports. 

I look forward to your support in my journey to make a positive impact on the lives of these tribal children. 

Team Mrida will be happy to answer your queries which I might have missed addressing. For more details, please feel free to write to info@mrida.org

Thank you once again for helping me and these children build a better India,

Regards,

Ojas