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At OUTREACH
ONSITE Day Care Centers, trained teachers assisted by helpers,
instruct them in the basics of primary education like reading,
writing and communicative skills, taught in an informal and
interactive manner between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The recreational
aspect of the children's education includes narration of stories,
action songs, outdoor visits to nearby parks, temples and places of
educational interest.
Since its
inception, OUTREACH ONSITE has opened over 17 Day Care Centers, from
where over 5000 children have passed out in the last several years.
At present, there are nearly 1200 children in the centers.
On
completion of their stay at the Day Care Centers, the children are
sent to either residential schools or vocational training institutes
to learn various skills.
These skills include
tailoring, typing, domestic work, carpentry and for the older
children, training in mechanical skills, drivers, operators,
electricians, plumbers etc. Certificates are awarded to those who
have finished their courses and suitable placements are found for
them
Teaching the
children of migrant construction workers is very different from
teaching children brought up in towns. They have no concept of the
importance of education, nor are they comfortable with rules and
regulations governing a teaching center. To capture their interest,
the teachers at the OUTREACH ONSITE Day Care Centers have devised
several attractive, interactive and innovative teaching methods.
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Use of blocks
and toys for younger children.
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Provision of
sand trays in which the children are encour- aged to create
landscapes.
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Finger
puppets and pictures drawn on flannel to help in narrating
stories.
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Role-play, in
which the children act out stories.
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Language
games, drawing, painting and crafting.
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Regular
exposure trips to nearby parks, temples and other places of
interest.
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Flash cards
or a roller, which rolls up a story in a TV.
This informal
manner of teaching has proved to be very successful and is combined
with several elements of formal instruction. Numeracy, reading and
writing are also taught during the period spent by the children at
the centers
Most of the
migrant children are interested to go to school, but given the
situation they are not allowed to go to school, since the parents
consider urban areas, a hostile environment, and they feel children
are not safe when they venture outside a noticeable distance from
them (parents)
We at OUTREACH
ONSITE have been able to break the barrier and sensitise these
communities about the urban living facilities available etc.,
The parents get convenient with the exposure we give them, and
the commitment we show in bringing these children in par with the
urban child in terms of providing opportunities and facilities at
present we have about 150, children going to school from home and
15, children going to school hostels.
Health and Nutrition
The construction
workers children at the Day Care Centers are given a simple and
nutritious breakfast and lunch. Health workers and doctors visit the
centers regularly to ensure that the children are in good health,
often referring them to nearby hospitals. A premier hospital in the
city has offered to treat all referrals from the Day Care Centers,
free of charge. Immunization camps and awareness camps on health and
hygiene, AIDS and family planning are also conducted for the benefit
of the children and their parents.
Vocational training is an
integral part of OUTREACH ONSITE's efforts to ensure that the
children of construction workers step out into a world where they
can become economically self reliant and socially responsible
citizens.
Most of these
children are either disinclined to finish high school or lack the
capabilities to do so. There is also the question of age, where
older children are not permitted to enter regular schools if they
are above a certain age.
Most important
in the children's minds, is the desire to earn a living and support
themselves and their families as soon as they can. This is where
vocational training plays a very important role.
Throughout
Bangalore there are several vocational training institutions like
Pestolozzi, Don Bosco and Guurukul. Presently there are over fifty
children who have been placed by OUTREACH ONSITE in regular schools
or training institutions. OUTREACH ONSITE with the support of SKIP
and in collaboration with Pestalozzi village, provide these children
with food, accommodation and education. The institutions impart
skills like tailoring, typing, carpentry, as drivers, plumbers,
electricians and mechanical instruction for repair automobiles.
These skills are chosen by the children, according to their interest
and capabilities.
On completion of
their training they get a certificate and OUTREACH ONSITE makes
every effort to place them in suitable jobs. As part of their
vocational training, the students attend regular health awareness
camps that are especially useful for adolescents in areas pertaining
to marriage, reproductive health, family planning HIV/AIDS.
Personality development courses help increase their self confidence
and strenghen their self esteem.
Many of the
trained youth have successfully found employment, but we at OUTREACH
ONSITE visit the employers on a regular basis to enquire about the
employees and seeking employment for trainees who seek
jobs.
In an effort to
mobilise support for us to help the migrant construction community,
we approach builders and offer our services to the construction
workers and their children.
We also approach
the government departments to reach out to the migrant construction
workers children to include them in this welfare program.
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