We carry the light of literacy for our girls!
Team Members - Kalu Ram & Ishu Ram Garasiya
In the picturesque plateaus of Pindwara block in Sirohi district, over 50 Sakhiyon badi centres (SKB) have been functional since Nov 2017. Most of the SKB centres are setup in the hamlets, disconnected from a prominent town, which makes access to government schools a challenging feat for young children.
Kalu ram, is a native to the tribal ‘garasiya’ community from rajasthan, known for its prolific art and culture. He was fortunate enough to attend school and to accomplish a Bachelors degree in Arts.
‘I was lucky enough to have attended school and college. I’m the first person from my family to attend formal education. Today I feel proud that through Sakhiyon ki badi program, I can reach out to children, who do not easy access to schools. Children shall get an opportunity, they deserve it.’, mentions Kalu ram.
Ishu ram Garasiya, a 28 year old man of slender built leads 14 Sakhiyon ki Baadi centers as a ‘Cluster Head’, in the Dingna cluster of Pindwara block.
During an interaction with Ishu ram at Amli phala SKB, he says, ‘I have been aspiring to be a teacher and hence I did B.Ed., but the things that I learnt in the trainings conducted for dakshas (teachers) in our Sakhiyon ki baadi program, I had never known any of it. The approach that is taught is very different from the formal education that we get at school. Our method is very interesting and makes children a curious learner’.
Ishu ram visits 2 Sakhiyon ki badi centres on a routine work day, where he handholds the Daksha (teacher) to hone their skills, engages with the children, conducts tests, visits home and interacts with the community. He addresses community members through scheduled ‘community meetings’, where the Daksha, Parents, Sarpanch and community members discuss the progress of the girls at SKB. If any issues, they are discussed and resolved through participatory efforts. Himanshu ensures that the SKB centre operates trouble free and through conjoint efforts from the community members.
‘When compared with the children attending local govt. school, girls from our SKB have shown higher literacy progression in short span of 2 years. They are more confident and expressive. ’, adds Ishu ram.
Kalu ram and Ishu ram, have been part of our Sakhiyon ki badi program, right from its inception in Nov 2017. At first they visited various isolated communities and hamlets, to determine the probable locations for our centres. They held community meetings and engaged the villagers for participatory action to setup our centres. They have shown consistent determination and passion, all this while, along with a progressing himself as a good leader. They are true heroes of Sakhiyon ki Badi program!