Womensteam is a non-profit organization operating for the past six years in Himachal Pradesh, India. The objectives of the organization are to strengthen the position of women in society and to make them self-confident and independent.
Womensteam works with the children of Khaniyara village near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. We are currently supporting the education of thirty-one children, primarily girls. The purpose of this support is to provide quality education for these students: as most of them come from marginalised marginalized communities and the quality of education in the government schools that they attend is very low. Our ultimate aim is to allow these children to develop the skills and knowledge that will allow them to be responsible members of their community. Womensteam believes that education is vitally important for every child, whether be it a boy or a girl, and we deplore the fact that our society still discriminates against the girls childs in her their academic lifelives. Educated women are more likely to participate in decision-making, and to make worthwhile contributions to the economy, in their family lives and therby impacting in society at large. Educated women also have a greater chance of escaping poverty, leading healthier and more productive lives, and raising the standard of living of their family and country. We consider education a shining beacon of light that can lead children out of the darkness and into a better future. We called this education program ‘Anmol Siksha’, meaning ‘priceless education’.
English is a worldwide language, a crucial part of any education programme and a stepping-stone to further learning, sharing of information and getting a foothold in the job market. If we wish to strengthen the position of girls and women, improving their English language skills is a vital tool. Womensteam utilises varies tuition methods: computer-based teaching programs, internet access, compulsory English in tutorial class, staging plays in English, recitation of English-language poetry and GK questions in English. Most of the children are government school students and their English skills are very substandardpoor, so we are currently tutoring them at a very basic level.
Computer skills are as important in today’s world as the acquisition learning to read, write and speakof the English language. Computing is now an integral part of our day to day lives, enabling us to connect with the entire world, mentally, physically, emotionally and educationally. Womensteam is teaching computer skills to all the children, including responsible and productive internet use.
Our tutorial class operates under a democratic system. The children are divided into eight teams, each team having responsibility for a different aspect of the students’ education and day-to-day welfare. The eight areas of interest are Discipline, English, Computer studies, Snacks, Cleaning, Co-curricular Activities, Notice Board and Health. This system was established in order that the children may develop a sense of responsibility towards their own education and that of their peers, and to learn the importance of discipline. The teams rotate every month so that all students will learn how to manage every aspect of their education and welfare.
Saturday has been designated as Knowledge Day, on which the children are divided into four groups to participate in various enjoyable, educational and stimulating activities. We also stage competitions in various subjects, including painting, calligraphy, declamation, dance, song and rangoli. The children also learn about various general knowledge topics, including the solar system, map reading, globe study general knowledge, narrative and poetry recitals, and create and perform plays on different social, environmental and educational issues
Womensteam provides nutritious food (Bournvita, milk and various snacks) to the children, who tend to be malnourished, especially the girls, who may be fed less and poorer quality food at home than their brothers are.
We organise organize various different kinds of co-curricular activities, all designed to impart learning in a fun and engaging ways. These activities include competitions of various kinds, storytelling, playwriting and performance, dancing, singing and calligraphy.
We frequently accompany the children on excursions, exposure visits and picnics. The purpose of these activities is to learn through enjoyment: as we firmly believe that one cannot learn everything there is to know from booksalone., so Thus we hopeby using via these various methods to impart additional knowledge, we while enabling teach the children to have some fun that there are also fun ways of learning along the way that are not restricted to classrooms
Womensteam organised a three day excursion (28th to 30th April 2017) in Kullu, Manali, Manikaran and Mandi. Thirty children participated.
The objectives of the excursion were to learn about culture, history and the environment, and to foster strong bonds of friendship amongst the children. They were able to experience a new environment and the pleasure of travelling in a group, which, after the stress of their recent examinations, was great fun for them. Regardless of how much students learn during this trip, their enjoyment of the day will stay with them for a long time, and all the participants returned to the classroom with a renewed focus on their school work. It was a valuable break from their daily routine.
On the first day of the trip, we went to Manikaran. There the children saw hot water springs for the first time. They also visited some old temples and a Gurudwara.
On the second day, the children went hiking in Solang Nala, a place of great natural beauty, and also visited Hidimba Devi and Ghatotkach temple. These temples date from the time of the Mahabharata. In the evening, they went to Kullu spring fair, where they enjoyed folk dance and music.
On the third day the children went to the historical Gurudwara of Mandi. On the way they saw a big tunnel and Pandoh dam, and learned about road-making and construction. Seeing such a big tunnel was another first for the group.
It was such a great fun for them. They went first time in this area. The children didn’t want to come back to home.
All the children reported having a wonderful, educational experience in an area they had not visited before that was rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Many of them expressed no desire to return home! As Anjali and Himanshu said, ”Why we are going back to home so early? We are enjoying it here a lot”. And according to Aastha and Sawan, “we don’t know why our parents are calling us so many times. They don’t know how much we are enjoying ourselves here?”
But the children’s parents were also very happy. Sanjan, Anjali and Manish father said, “My children had a great opportunity. I am a poor man and could never provide such kind of opportunity to my kids. It was really a very big gift for my children. I am very grateful and thankful to Womensteam who provided such an opportunity to our children.” – Naresh (Geetanjali and Akhilesh’s father)
All in all, this was a great educational experience, as well as a great deal of fun. We would like to express our gratitude to Aztec Technologies, who enabled us to provide this opportunity to the children.
We screen movies every Sunday and holiday daydays that are declared Holidays. Mostly We screen we showmost of the movies in English, in order to improve the students’ comprehension skills. After the screening, a healthy discussion is held amongst the students about issues raised in the movie, and knowledge gained from the viewing is evaluated.
Womensteam would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Aztec Technologies, who are enabling us to provide enhanced education to up to about 32 children in need. Womensteam suffers from a lack of funding, and it is only due to the generosity of Aztec Technologies that we are able to operate and provide alternate learning methods and skillsets to the children at our school at all. Aztec Technologies has to date provided Womensteam with internet-enabled computers, a printer, study tables, mats, rags, cubby holes, a library cabin, calculators, miscellaneous stationary, teachers’ salaries, staff, food and Bournvita milk for the children and a monthly admin expenditure, and has pledged help in the future as well. We are inordinately grateful to Aztec Technologies for recognising the value of our work and providing this vital support.
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