After School Programme for Underserved Children

Dear Maitri friends,

Working with children is one of the most rewarding things we can do. They immediately return it with the most heart-melting smile. And its always a fact there is always so much more to learn from children than to teach.cIn the last quarter, we continued to hold After-school classes for children from low-income communities in two co-locations. The students we have are aged five to sixteen. Our teachers are able to give them individual attention, which they don’t normally get in school because of bigger size of the classes. Our overall goal is to enhance their understanding, better their academic performance and enrich their holistic development. The last quarter was full of activities and celebrations and children had exposure to a variety of other activities contributing to their holistic growth.

"Celebrations help us learn collectively"

This quarter children have celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, Dusshera, Teacher's Day and Children's Day. On Gandhi jayanti, Students participated in a cleanliness drive and promoted " Swach Bharat"/ Clean India campaign.

India celebrates the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on November 14, as Children's Day. This day serves as a reminder to each and every one of us, to renew our commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live by their Chacha Nehru's standards and example. Students of our AfterSchool programme observed the day by watching inspirational videos, and sharing their aspirations. Maitri is grateful to our teachers who come up with creative and fun ways of learning. For them, every activity is an opportunity to reach out to a child left behind. Children were involved in hand print art activities. The hand prints might be small, but their dreams are large. There could be no better tribute then drawing our beloved Chacha Nehru

"One book, One Pen, One Child can change the world"

You will be happy to know that now; the children of our AfterSchool Programme have a library with different set of books and board games. The students were always curious and were impatiently waiting for the inauguration. On the day of Children's Day and Teacher's Day each student narrated a story they have learnt from the newly inagurated library for the children.

 "Change your words, Change your life"

Children of our After School supportive programme celebrate Diwali with beautiful art & crafts, decorations which brings their creativity to grow. We change students’ beliefs about their abilities before they can change their words. Teachers at Maitrigram understand that it’s not enough to simply tell students to repeat the mantra. It doesn’t address their beliefs about themselves. When the student says "This is too hard", the teachers make it an effort to inculcate the belief that "they can do it" and they work along with the child.

 Such celebrations and activities are crucial for the overall development of a child.  Surprisingly, Children of Maitrigram have rather added new feathers to the spirit of these celebrations. You have helped us provide such a space to the children of Maitrigram. 

Thank you for all your support