Newsletter: January-June 2024

 

Project Roshni

January to March- in collaboration with Bucket list, we have been supporting over 170 children aged 6-14. These children have been enrolled in local schools, and our primary goal has been to ensure their retention and advancement in their elementary skills. To ensure this, our community teachers and leaders have been diligently providing regular elementary classes, ensuring that each child receives the dedicated attention and support they need.

To evaluate the progress in elementary skills of our children, we conducted an endline assessment. The results have been encouraging and demonstrate the positive impact of our collective efforts:

• Hindi Proficiency: The average score in Hindi has increased from 40.% to 42%. This improvement highlights the progress our students are making in their native language, which is crucial for their overall literacy and communication skills.
• English Proficiency: The average score in English has seen a significant rise from 35% to 43%. This remarkable improvement is a testament to the effectiveness of our English language programs and the dedication of our teachers.
• Mathematics Proficiency: The average score in Mathematics has increased from 40% to 50%. This substantial growth reflects the hard work of our students and the quality of our math instruction.

April onwards, our team has gained the capacity to run Project Roshni independently, thanks to the insights and learning from our collaborations. We have selected four young leaders from the community who have been trained on the Right to Education including legal documents required to enroll children aged 5-14 years.

We are targeting the enrollment of 200 children this year and ensuring their retention through elementary skills support. So far, we have conducted a comprehensive survey and identified 191 out-of-school children, primarily due to the lack of legal documents and poor elementary skills hindering their academic progress.

• Enrollment: 63 children have been successfully enrolled in government schools.
• Birth Certificates: 4 birth certificates have been issued.
• Bank Accounts: 78 new bank accounts have been created.
• Aadhar Cards: 45 Aadhar cards have been issued.

Project Kadam 

After-School Remedial Classes have been instrumental in providing academic support to 100 children aged 6-19 years within our community. Our dedicated team of young teachers has focused on English, Maths, and Hindi, delivering targeted assistance that has significantly benefited the students’ academic progress.

The efforts have yielded exceptional results, with three students achieving remarkable success by earning gold medals for securing first positions in their respective classes. This achievement not only reflects the effectiveness of our remedial programs but also highlights the dedication and hard work of both our students and teachers. It underscores our commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and fostering confidence among young learners in our community through personalized academic support.

 

Project Buniyaad

January to June, Project Buniyaad conducted 28 impactful workshops aimed at enhancing mother and child nutrition. These workshops were

 specifically designed for pregnant women, women in their reproductive age, and mothers of children aged 0-5 years. The sessions focused on promoting good and healthy habits, ensuring participants understood the importance of a balanced diet and proper nutrition during different life stages.

A significant component of the workshops was the cooking classes, where participants learned to prepare a variety of nutritious recipes. These included Energy Choco Bars, Healthy Makhana Balls, Sesame or Jaggery Laddus, Bajre ke Laddus, Poha, Healthy Namkeen, Healthy Salad, Peanut Chaat, Bhelpuri, Moong Dal Chilla, Gajar ka Halwa, and Barfi made from Sooji and Coconut. These practical sessions aimed to equip women with the skills to make healthy, delicious meals at home.

The workshops also provided valuable nutritional advice tailored to specific needs, such as managing nutrition during fasting, particularly during Ramadan. Participants were guided on starting their fast with nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and choosing foods that are easy to digest. Special attention was given to diabetic individuals, advising them on how to manage their condition while fasting and recommending against prolonged fasting periods.

Further, the workshops highlighted the benefits of consuming fruits like melons and watermelons, emphasizing their hydration properties and nutritional value. Participants learned about the health benefits of oatmeal, bananas, and sago (sabudana), including practical sessions on preparing dishes like sabudana khichdi and mixed vegetable soup. Summer-specific recipes such as summer laddus were also demonstrated, ensuring participants could enjoy seasonal, healthy treats.

Overall, Project Buniyaad’s workshops have been instrumental in educating women on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating, empowering them to make informed dietary choices for themselves and their families. The hands-on approach of the cooking classes has been particularly effective in helping participants apply what they have learned in their daily lives.

Raah – Life Skills 

Our team at Raah – Life Skills recently organized two impactful workshops aimed at empowering young individuals through essential life skills. Firstly, we conducted a workshop focusing on safe and unsafe touch, crucial for raising awareness about personal boundaries and safety among adolescents. This workshop was designed to educate 40 participants on recognizing and responding to different types of physical interactions in a safe and informed manner.

Additionally, in collaboration with Manzil Mystic, we hosted a workshop centered around self-love, utilizing music as a powerful tool for personal growth and empowerment. This session aimed to foster a positive self-image and enhance emotional well-being among 29 participants. Through engaging activities and discussions, the workshop provided participants with practical strategies to cultivate self-esteem and resilience.

Both workshops reflect Raah’s commitment to equipping young individuals with essential life skills and promoting holistic development through innovative and culturally relevant approaches. These efforts not only empower adolescents to navigate challenges effectively but also foster a supportive environment for personal growth and well-being.

 

Ration Distribution 

FFEC recently conducted a compassionate initiative in the Trilokpuri community, focusing on distributing essential rations to those in need. The process began with purchasing raw rations, which were then assembled into kits with the help of youth volunteers at the KADAM center. These kits were subsequently distributed in two phases.

In the first phase, 25 families, with a primary focus on widows and senior citizens, received support. This was followed by a second phase where an additional 50 families benefited from the distributions. The distributions took place on March 16, 2024, and March 19, 2024, respectively, benefitting a total of 75 families from very low-income backgrounds in the community.

The items included in the distributed kits were essential commodities such as daal, sugar, oil, chana, soap, salt, spices, and rice. FFEC’s ongoing commitment to assisting those in genuine need underscores its role in providing crucial support to vulnerable groups like widows, financially struggling households, senior citizens in rented accommodations, and orphans. These efforts not only alleviate immediate hardships but also foster a sense of community solidarity and support.