After School Programme for Underserved Children

Dear Maitri Friend,

It has been an exciting quarter for our Afterschool Programme. We continue 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.Additionally we also have a stitching center where we enable young girls and women to enhance their skills and help generate income and livelihood opportunities.

Last quarter the students have been busy with exams and most of them have left for their vacations. 

During the last quarter, children were engaged with different activities:

 Learning and Exposure with Students of The British School  -The second phase: Last quarter was full of fun, activities, games and learning when students of The British School volunteered at Maitrigram-After-School Programme to provide supportive education. Every year our students wait with eagerness and excitement for this volunteer week. It brings a much needed exposure and helps in an all round development. Maitri is grateful to the British school for providing such a valuable engagement. The students were engaged in various activities and organized a talent show with the volunteers. Additionally , the learning continued through more activities and celbrations.

Celebrating Holi though Art : The Holi celebrations started with story telling and children explaining the significance of such celebrations. This year, they have learnt how to make sandwiches and use them for refreshments. Additionally, the children have done blow painting on paper and celebrated Holi with a difference.

Leraning together :

 One of our students, a 7^th class student is the first generation learner from her family. She dropped out of her schooling owing to financial circumstances. Her father is a electrician and it's a struggle to take care of a family of 8 people. Maitri spoke to her parents and have encouraged her to continue her schooling. Apart from learning as a challenge, the student also has a very low confidence and self esteem. Maitri is working with the student and her family. Among all the interventions, the best approach has been to work with smaller group of students where one can learn from each other. Group learning and faciliating building of friendships, helping each other grow and learn leassons, has proved to be very effective. 

Thank you for your kind support. We are in the process of bringing changes to this project. Your support is more crucial now.