Hyderabad

15 day Summer Camp at Kothaguda School (April 26^th to May 9^th )  

The Summer Camp was conducted for students of 8^th standard to make them more disciplined, to create interest in various arts and to try out different teaching approaches which would be useful for SAP from the next year. Every day the children came to the camp at 8:30 sharp and did yoga to improve their concentration. Yoga classes were conducted by Sri Ramakrishna, a yoga teacher from RamaKrishna Math. Then, we had fun activities like singing, dance, painting, arts etc which were taken up by Nirmaan volunteers - Susheela taught singing, Vandana taught dance, Prathima taught painting, followed by an educational hour. We tried out the following teaching approaches in the educational hour to see what works best for our students – ·         Science through Chemistry and Physics Experiments .Showing Videos on interesting areas in science like space shuttles ·         Math using Abacus and Vedic Mathematics  ·         Games to improve their memory power, teamwork, to help them understand themselves better using ordinary items like stick, ball, coins etc The Camp was very special for both the children and volunteers who attended the Camp since they did a lot of things they never imagined they would ever do in their lives. Be it something like painting the solar system on a classroom wall or learning yoga or just having the amount of fun we had. Also, the camp gave an opportunity to the volunteers to share their talents with the students.For the first time, children loved coming to school even in their summer holidays.

Student's response to Yoga classes:

I used to be very lazy. Now my mother is surprised that I am waking up early in the morning daily.  - Suresh, Class VIII student

Snaps

http://picasaweb.google.com/name.phani/SummerCampSundayPics?feat=email#

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=name.phani&target=ALBUM&id=5474772570240975537&authkey=Gv1sRgCKzpyYSegY-hEg&feat=email

Exposure Trip for Kothaguda and Lalapet school children (April 24th, 2010)

Most of our school children are limited to just school and home. To motivate and  give them an exposure, we took the students of Kothaguda and Lalapet schools on a trip to Mahindra Satyam Technology Center  and Birla Science Museum. Teachers from both the schools accompanied us on the trip. We are overwhelmingly happy with the response received from the children and teachers. 

The day-long trip included a visit of the infrastructure facilities of Mahindra Satyam, Mini Zoo, Convention Center and a stride along the campus. Mr.Narsinga Rao, the coordinator from Mahindra Satyam Foundation gave an inspiring message to the children. The children were very thrilled at watching the animated videos from Lion King and Happy feet in the Convention center.  

After having a good visit of the campus, we moved on to visit the Birla Science Museum, Archaeological Museum, and Dinosarium. The children were thrilled to apply their physics concepts at the Birla Science museum. They could practically demonstrate most of their theoretical concepts. At the Archaeology museum, all of us were amazed to see the artifacts as old as 1^st century B.C. The children were very excited to see the Dinosarium. They have been reading about Dinosaurs in books and watching them on television. When they saw the skeletal remains of a Dinosaur in the museum, it added to their excitement and euphoria.  

Our trip instilled great excitement in the children. The smiles and the joy on their faces clearly showed how much they liked it.Apart from the excitement, fun and joy in the trip, we could also achieve our primary motive of the trip. 

Testimony from a student

“We will also reach good positions in future like NIRMAAN volunteers and serve our next generations.”  

Testimony from a Teacher

“We should be very fortunate to work in corporates like this and we have seen something which we never know after visiting MSTC.”  

Kudos to all our volunteers for making the trip a huge success. 

Snaps 

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/VisitToSatyamComputersPriyanandhan#

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/ExposureTripPicsVasudha#

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/ExposureTripPicsSanthi#

Parents Meeting at Lalapet School

The Parent meeting at Lalapet school was conducted with a view to create an awareness among the parents and also to seek their complete cooperation in the development of the student. The positive response from the parents and their assurance to act on the suggestions has met our purpose of conducting the meet. The meeting started with a small Prayer by the students . School teachers from Lalapet school spoke about the importance of education. They pointed out that government schools have very high qualified teachers when compared to private schools stressing on the quality of education that can be brought out with the collective efforts of Nirmaan , teachers, parents and the students. Teachers praised Nirmaan and briefed the parents about the activities taken up at the school.

Effective speeches were given by our Volunteers – Sabitha, Nandhan, George, Mayur, Rajesh. We assured them that Nirmaan will be there with the students to help them out in their studies and also in choosing their career. We requested the parents to extend their support in their children’s chosen career All the parents responded very positively that they pay good attention towards their children’s studies . We also got their nod for a regular parents meet to measure their child’s progress.

Scholarship Award was given to two best performers. Parents felt very happy about the meet and shared their thoughts. We then had a one to one counseling session. Our volunteers spoke to each parent and guided them to monitor the children's education and interests daily. Parents thanked NIRMAAN's initiative in shaping the kids. Thanks to all the volunteers who steered this meet towards success.

Parents Meeting at Kothaguda School - 6th March 2010

Our first Parents Meet in Kothaguda School had been a good experience to all of us. We (incl. the school management) were very suspicious about how many parents would come for the meeting.  We were very happy to see 28 parents out of 60 attending the meeting thought it's a working day. The first of its kind, the meeting was a big success. We, along with the teachers, had conveyed the importance of education and child prosperity to the parents and how significant parents role is in a children's life. We also conveyed about not to feel bad about sending children to government schools and the facilities in terms of infrastructure, assistance, studies available to the students of government schools. We had helped the students to come up with a skit that showed and clarified many concerns a parent would be having to send their children for studies. An individual one-one interaction with each parent and their kid is done where we studied their interests, problems, concerns and guided them to engage with the children for at least 15 minutes daily and monitor their progress regularly. 

Every one from Parents, Teachers and students appreciated NIRMAAN-FLAGSTONE for the initiative and contributions made so far for the development of the School. We will be planning such events in future. 

Snaps  

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/ParentsMeetKothagudaSchool6thMar1002#

Spreading Smiles - Clothes distribution in Orphanage on Jan 26th 2010

At NIRMAAN, we decided to celebrate events in a memorable way and started a culture of celebrating our birthdays, special days  by spending time with the kids at Orphanages. We celebrated January 1^st, New Year by interacting, singing and dancing with the kids of Lalapet Orphanage. We made the kids cut the cake, distributed notebooks, pencils and some other gifts. We realized that spending time and giving them a sense of belongingness is of utmost importance. 

We went to the Orphanage on Jan’26. Our volunteers played & interacted with the kids. The kids entertained us by singing songs and giving good dance performances. Our volunteers distributed new clothes to the kids. The smiles on the faces of kids made us very happy and the joy was boundless. 

Republic Day Celebrations at Lalapet School - 2010

With patriotic fervor, Nirmaan celebrated the Republic Day at Lalapet School. The Flag hoisting by the school Principal followed by inspiring speeches/songs in Telugu, English and Hindi added to the spirit of the Republic Day.
Prior to the Republic Day, Lalapet SAP team conducted few competitions like Quiz, MIME, Elocution, Collage /Drawing for the children. Prizes were distributed to the winners on the Republic day. Prizes were also given to the students with best attendance in each class to reduce absenteeism and there by reduce drop-outs. Nirmaan Volunteers felt very happy to receive such a huge response from the children in terms of participation and the enthusiasm shown while conducting the competitions .These competitions have brought out the hidden talent in the children.

Snaps    

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/RepublicDayCelebrationsLalapetSchool

Republic Day Celebrations in Kothaguda School - 2010

There is something unique in our soil which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls. We are very happy to celebrate the 61st republic  day celebrations of our mother India with the students of Kothaguda school. The celebrations started with flag hoisting, followed by patriotic songs. Very nice to hear wonderful songs with patriotic fervor from even the young kids of 2nd class. The speeches delivered by the elders are quite apt to the ocassion. A student's nice speech on Tagore's message is very touching. 

Our team has conducted memory game and mime to the students. The children enthusiastically participated in these games and have showcased their innate talent. We have distributed prizes to the winners of these competitions and spot prizes to few students for their nice speeches and songs.

Thanks to every volunteer for their efforts (inspite of the short time) in celebrating the republic day remarkably. 

Snaps  

http://picasaweb.google.com/nirmaanhyd/RepublicDay2010KothagudaSchool#

Flagstone Annual Day Celebrations 

Our students of Kothaguda School have showcased their eye catching performance on the eve of Flagstone annual day on 13th Nov'09. We started with a video presentation showcasing the impact Flagstone has made to the School Adoption Program in Kothaguda School. This was followed by a dance performance which won applaud from the Flagstone employees. The students and the teachers were very excited to see the environment. The excitement reached heights when the students got a gift kit from Krishnan, COO, Flagstone. Srini, Sr.Manager, Flagstone whole heartedly shaking hands with every kid added much to their joy. Flagstone gave mementoes to NIRMAAN volunteers appreciating their efforts in uplifting the standards of the school. The students got a very good exposure of the corporate events and felt very happy for getting an opportunity to present their skills in such a big event.

Thanks to our Flagstone volunteers-Madhuri & Rizwan without whom we could not have such an opportunity. Our heartfelt thanks to the entire team involved in making this event successful.

Snaps   

Plates Distribution at Lalapet Govt. School

It was the scarcity of plates in Lalapet school that moved Nirmaan towards this event. It was heartrending to see students having their lunch in turns due to shortage of plates. Nirmaan Volunteers spoke to School management and identified the need for more plates in the school. Nirmaan immediately responded to the requirement by purchasing the needed plates and handed them over to the school management. Nirmaan Volunteers are very happy to see all the students having their food plates during their lunch time.

Snaps   

http://picasaweb.google.com/2myindia/Nirmaan_Lalapet_PlateDistribution#

Gandhi Jayanthi Celebrations  at Dalitha Mahila Ashram

For most of us Gandhi Jayanthi has become just another holiday with no special significance. But this year, Gandhi Jayanthi became the most memorable day of the lives of a few Nirmaan members who visited DMA to bond with the lovely grandmas and bubbly children. The spontaneous visit to DMA turned into an amazing and eye-opening experience which we will always cherish.

We conducted a beautiful ceremony involving both Hindu and Christian prayers in front of a photo of Gandhiji decorated with a garland and roses symbolized the ideals of Gandhiji. Mayur spoke about how Gandhiji spent most of his life in ashrams and compared the struggle of the grand ladies of DMA to Gandhiji's struggle. He promised them that Nirmaan would join them in their struggle. Then, Prasad explained the significance of Dandi March.

We interacted and bonded with the cute, bubbly children - Akhil, who is in nursery recited the English alphabet and can also count up to 50.Ajay could name famous figures whose pictures we showed him in a magazine.

To see people co-existing and helping each other while living in such abject poverty, to hear about their lives and their constant struggle for survival was a humbling experience. It has strengthened out motivation to do all we can to figure out a permanent solution to their problems.

Thanks to all the “Nirmaan Soldiers” who shared this experience.

Distribution of School Uniforms on Independence Day

On August 15th 2009, Nirmaan celebrated Independence Day with the students of Zilla Parishad High School, Kothaguda. Flagstone Reinsurance Pvt. ltd has been collaborating with Nirmaan for the past one year inits efforts to convert Kothaguda School into a Model school. After the flag hoisting, Flagstone presented the students from 6th to 10th classes with 630 school uniforms worth 2 lakh rupees. Mr. Krishnan Venkatachari, COO, Flagstone was the chief guest for the event.