Aaranyak: A Rural Alternative Learning Space

The engagements with children in12  Aashramshalas  have been fulfilling and a great learning experience for the Shaishav team for the past four months.

Adolescent empowerment and development sessions was given primary importance with children and were facilitated weekly.

Gender and Adolescent Empowerment sessions:  

“Everyone, draw a picture of a human”. This is how we began our gender sessions. Quite surprisingly children of 5^th class had an equal proportion of pictures of both genders, but children of 8,9 and 10 grade drew mostly a male picture. There were also exceptions where boys drew pictures of both genders. We later expanded this conversation to make them realize how in society, resources, professions, power positions are in masculine terms and unknowingly its conditioned in everyone’s minds. Children in their own gender groups later wrote about “What is to be a girl/boy?” Children also wrote about imagining what is to be the other gender in “If I was a boy/girl?” A total of 33 sessions on gender sensitization were held with 1215 children (620 girls and 595 boys).  

For making the discussions and responses smooth and comfortable, the sessions of Physical, Mental and Emotional Changes during Puberty were taken separately between girls and boys. With help of posters and pictures the children felt at ease in comprehending these topics. The children were aware of the physical changes, but we also emphasized mental and emotional changes, which were new to them. We have created a safe and conducive environment for them to ask their queries personally or in writings anytime which has encouraged more questions from children.  

Menstruation session: For both and girls menstruation session was held with the help of flipcharts and posters. The session informed children of the process of menstruation, why it happens and how to take care of one selves during the time. Interestingly the boys were interested about the topic discounting the initial inhibitions. They were totally unaware of how menstruation happens and they were also told on ways they can support their mother, sisters , female friends. There was quite a lot of doubts concerning irregular periods, pregnancy from children which we happily addressed without judgement. The results from pre and post test encouragingly showed that there is a change in perception of considering menstrual blood as bad blood.

Baby born: This is a simple interactive exercise where both boys and girls understand the stark implications of gender discrimination in their society. Children were also made acquaintance with the concept of what is healthy friendships and what is not. Through a engaging signal game, and by writing an advertisement for a good friend , children got a better understanding of this relationship. This was followed by a session on  love and romantic relationships. There was a greater demand for the same from the Aashramshala administration itself. This session dealt in deep by differentiating between attraction and love , what elements constitutes a healthy romantic relationships and what makes it toxic. Setting boundaries, self - harm , stalking , love at first sight was discussed with the help of popular movies and songs. Children were informed that media usually portrays unhealthy relationships and glorify the same, which is unsafe in real lives. A total of 39 sessions on each of these topics were held in 12 Aashramshalas.

Pre and Post test analysis: We began with a Pretest before the puberty sessions and concluded the session with a Post test. The test results were encouraging and thought provoking. 75 per cent of the children after session are aware of the puberty age showing a 43 % increase in post-test. Interestingly before the sessions 38 percent children thought that Day dreaming is bad, post sessions shows that 70 percent children understand that Day dreaming is part of their age and is normal and needs to be accompanied with hard work. A commendable 61.83 % increase was registered for children understanding that having pimples are normal part of their change and not to be worried. 53 % children have said that they will talk with their parents to clear their doubts and queries regarding puberty and feelings.  We do appreciate that children realizing that parents will have answers to their queries, but we will also in the coming days make them understand the importance of sharing queries with a trusted adult who can lead them with appropriate answers in a non-judgemental and safe manner. Children have already demanded for more explanations on these topics. So, we will take topics like wet dreams, trusted adult and related in more detail in coming days. 

Safety sessions: Body mapping, Appropriate -Inappropriate touch, Good person & Bad person, Six Alerts, Saying NO, Setting boundaries, Safe decision Making through Safety Dance Floor and How to ask for Help was the major session we carried out with children of grades 5-8. This is an intense three - hour sessions for both boys and girls. Body mapping enables children to know the anatomical names of the sexual organs of both the genders. In a world where sexual organs are increasingly referred as swear words or for bullying or to inflict shame it is essential for children to know the names and shed shame about the same. Children also realized that to seek help or medical support of the concerned area, it is important to know the right names of the sexual organ. Currently we have fully completed these sessions in three Aashramshalas and partially in three Aashramshalas.A compilation of skits, practices, and decision making on matters contextual to them made these sessions really engaging

In a society where telling NO is looked as bad and disrespectful we encourage children to set their own boundaries , say NO and always seek help till they get it. 

Gandhi Mela: On October, Non-violent week was celebrated. Three major games, Khatron ke Khiladi, Grab what you can, and Tom and Jerry were played with children. These games were physically enduring and demanded logical thinking and strategic planning. Through these games children were introduced to Gandhiji, his leadership in taking all the people in Non-Cooperation movement, Civil- Disobedience Movement and how as a leader he accommodated diverse people and lead a national movement. Characteristics of a good leader was exemplified through these games. Tom and Jerry is a run and catch game, but through the game we deliberated on how using violence can only result in more violence and not lead to a sustainable solution, emphasizing the need of non-violence and meaningful dialogues that can result in peaceful society. 

Life skills and Leadership games. Milling and Collective story making was fun, intriguing and encouraged children’s creative and imagination skills.  Children enjoyed leadership games like Human Bridge and Kan Khajuro which demanded strong teamwork and positively triggered their problem - solving and prompt decision making skills. 

Science Mela to Counter Superstitions: A workshop using simple scientific principles like air pressure and surface tension was held to debunk local superstitions. Demonstrations that mimic "magic tricks" performed by fake gurus helped children understand the science behind them and always to keep an enquiring and questioning attitude and not to believe in miracles or magical powers

Fun with Language: Children of grades1-4 always demanded our attention. So we facilitated games, stories , Balgeets and fun with language activities and learning by playing Activity kit in 9 Aashramshalas.

AAMLI TIMLI:

The children in Samarpada Aashramshala (grades 9-10) were intensely engaged in Mathematics and Science activities. The focus was to improve their basic understanding and make their concepts clear and concrete. The science topics ranged from acids , bases , everyday forms of matter and related topics in accordance to their syllabus. We focussed more to strengthen their basic understanding in these topics and eventually get into deeper theory.

The children in grades 4 and 5 are intensively engaged in reading, comprehension, numeracy through fun games, activity -based worksheets at Kundiamba Aashramshala. The daily engagements have dramatically shown an improvement in their interest in learning and their skills in these functional topics. Mathematics and science sessions were facilitated with children in 6-8. Here we adopted more hands on activities and experiments with surrounding objects. Mathematics sessions were also based in improving their understanding and skills in basic operations.

WAY FORWARD

The children have become increasingly sensitive and are able to recognise their feelings. They also show more empathy towards one another. The relations between children also show improvement in a healthier way. Through family group, children receive emotional support, and it has loosened the gender and other barriers enhancing their intimacy and bond. 

We saw a commendable improvement among children of age group 13-15 in identifying and expressing their emotions and their engagement in mental health activities which requires patience and focus.  

Gender and Adolescent Development sessions are continuing with children. The feedback has been very welcoming from children and teachers.