Project Update -- SVYM 2/10/2008

Goal: Quality Education, focusing on values, literacy, numeracy and appropriate vocational training through joyful, experiential and child centered learning process for children in H.D.Kote Taluk, for the 6-15 age group, particularly girls. Viveka Tribal Center for Learning (VTCL)

Updates, April-December 2007 Highlights of April: Summer camp, including bhajans, gymnastics, music, drama, etc. 92.1% pass result on SSLC Board Exam. Of 38 students, 12 got first class, 16 second class. Highlights of May: Spoken English classes were started for 10 th standard students. Admissions process completed.

Highlights of June: School started Educational materials distributed Students participated in a mock election to understand the democratic process. Children from 5 th to 10 th standard selected a hobby class to take twice a week – music/dance. 10 th standard students organized a recreational program Agriculture and horticulture Training Programme for tribal youth started with 10 students. Highlights of July Intraschool sports meet Miss Joan (visiting from US) taught ESL, mainly to 8 th -10 th standards. Used teaching methodology called Total Physical Response. health check-up program was conducted for students. Vanamahostava – three days of nature-related activities. Forest Officer presented and students planted saplings. Sports Meet between VTCL and another school.

Highlights of August: “Samskrutha Sapthaha” – Samskrutha songs/skits/dance. Three-day “adventure camp” : museum visit, celebration of Independence Day. Parents Mela – Malathi discussed school activities, services, hostel, education. Independence Day: songs, poems, historical re-enacting, etc. Athletic meet held. Dr. Balu addressed the students with words of wisdom. Raksha Bandhan Highlights of September: Teacher’s Day celebrated by students Gowri-Ganesh celebration held. Mentor camp: students presented school activities to parents. district teachers of NGO and GO schools visited VTCL.

Highlights of October: midterm examinations Dasara holidays Personality camp conducted for 16 students in 10 th standard: discipline, brotherhood, health and hygiene. professional development for teachers – workshop in Bangalore. Highlights of November: Kannada Rajyothsava: enacted plays, wrote poems, etc. in Kannada. Competitions were held. Sports Meet for Tribals. “Speed Mathematics” competitive exam given to 24 students. Educational sightseeing organized for students in the different standards – including visits to zoo, historical sights, and temples. Dr. Balu presented creative teaching strategies to staff.

Highlights of December: students exhibited working models of fire extinguisher and human respiratory system at Science Exhibition in Bangalore. math and science kits presented in school. quiz, monoacting, music to mark World Aids Awareness Day. 18 th year anniversary for the school. Chief guest was Mr. Hamsalekha, famous music director and composer in Kannada film industry. Also in the six-month report: class schedule attendance by gender, and attendance in hostels. enrollment by standard/gender items given to each student school meal menu

Need to send the second installment of funds -- $ With changing dollar-to-rupee conversion, it’s $ (we sent Rs in first installment, and he was promised $3000*44 rupees given the old exchange rate, so assuming a “current” exchange rate of 38, we owe him 71970/30 or $ ) Malathi’s two visits to the US her current one: International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. she is visiting again in April/May, staying with Miss Joan who works as a teacher in a tribal school in NM. We would like to arrange for her to visit ASHA chapters and meet educational leaders near the local chapters (Boston, Silicon Valley, SD). Current Issues