Poveda's Second Centre

Poveda Foundation's Vetalnagar Centre

The prospects of being able to reach out to and impact the lives of more children is joyous and seeing that dream become a reality- a thrill! The Poveda Foundation started its second centre on 23rd November 2009 to serve children residing in Vetalnagar, Chinchwadnagar, Vijaynagar and Dalvinagar. The kids study at the PCMC schools at Chapekar Chowk.

This afternoon batch is an all girls centre and has an energy level of its own. It runs in a Balwadi that has been offered for our use by the community.

Rashmi didi is our centre teacher and Swati didi who teaches Math and Science at the Morwadi centre offers similar instruction here.

Children's Day and Sports Class

Children living in low income communities sadly do not have the opportunity to be children as they have several responsibilities at home- cooking, cleaning, accompanying their parents to work, taking care of their younger siblings etc. Children’s day was a good opportunity for the children of our centre to put aside all of these for a morning of fun and enjoyment.


The morning started with Aniket, one of our students, reading to the class a poem in Marathi on the joys and travails of childhood. The children then learnt marble painting and also made pen stands using old newspapers.

This festive occasion was also used to commence sports class with the kids. Subhash bhaiyya began the first session with the children by sharing with them the plan for the year. Later, the kids learnt 4 yog-aasans which helped them both relax and focus.

Visit to the Garden (Science field trip)- 27th October

The kids visited the Morwadi PCMC Garden on the 27th of October. ‘Reproduction in living things’ is a topic of study in Science and the visit helped the kids see various aspects of reproduction in plants in real. From seeing the androecium and gynoecium to natural vegetative reproduction to roots reproduction and the same from leaves, the kids learnt a lot.

How can you help? Donate, Help find space, Teach, Volunteer

Donate in kind


1. Pencils
2. Wooden Geometric Set (for teachers)
3. Crayons
4. Notebooks- long
5. Chalk boxes
6. Chart papers
7. Colour papers- crepe/ glaze/ marble
8. Scissors
9. Paint boxes (water colour/ fevicryl)
10. Fevicol/ gum

Help us


Find space for our centres: A centre runs for 2 ½ hours every day either in the morning or in the afternoon and we need the space for about 30 minutes prior and 45 minutes post centre. The space should be about 600-800 square feet in area and should be within 5-10 minutes walking distance from a slum community


Work with us as
1. A Centre Teacher:

You need to be fluent in English and be willing to give about 4 hours every day to the project which includes picking up children from the community and dropping them back, teaching English, conducting sessions on health, sexuality, careers, current affairs and supporting the subject teacher in instruction of Math and Science. You will be responsible for creating opportunities- learning and exposure to ensure that each child has a clear understanding of her/ his career and a plan to reach the same.


2. A Subject Teacher:

You need to be fluent in Marathi and have some experience teaching Math and Science to children in the 7th and 8th standards. A teacher’s degree/ diploma is not a prerequisite. Your teaching should not be dependent on the black board but should employ creative teaching methods and aids that accelerate learning amongst the kids. As a subject teacher, you will have to ensure that the children are able to make up adequately for the lack of academic skills and are at pace with the expected learning objectives.

You will also assist the centre teacher with the attendance and at the parent meetings and building the community rapport.


Volunteer with us:

As a volunteer, you commit to giving 3 hours of your time, once a week and either help the teacher with the implementation of the class plan or help teach parts of the curriculum. You should be fluent in English and/ or Marathi.


Donate in money:
You can make donations in cash at our office or donations in cheque can be drawn in favour of 'Poveda Foundation'. We have an account with the Punjab National Bank, Pimpri, Pune.
We are registered under the Societies Registration Act as: MAHA1202/2009/PUNE

For more details, contact: 98226 22397
mail: povedafoundation@gmail.com or talentacquisition.pf@gmail.com

Parents' Meeting- October 2009

Our second parent meeting, held on 10th October focussed on personal hygiene and healthy food and eating habits. At the very outset, the children proudly shared with their parents what they had learnt through the month, in English. Dimple didi and Pooja then illustrated the importance of a balanced diet, the components within any meal/ food (proteins, carbohydrates etc) and presented examples of easy to make healthy recipes.


7 children were acknowledged at attendance superstars as they maintained 100% attendance since the start of the centre. The meeting ended with announcements and instructions.

Science Exhibition

The children participated in a science exhibition on the 8th of October. Clustered in 3 groups, the kids learnt about the solar system, transmission of light through a kaleidoscope, a light box and several other projects, transmission of heat, about the principles behind an escalator and the life cycle. Eagerness and curiousity was the rule of the morning and effective use of the projects ensured maximum comprehension.

Thanks to the Infant Jesus School at Wakad for willingly lending their projects to us.

Meet Ronnie Bhaiyya- our first Volunteer!

'Recently Reeves Rodrigues started an NGO in Morwadi and has named it the Poveda Foundation after St. Pedro Poveda, founder of the Teresian Association.

I was invited to the inauguration on the 19th of September and was inspired by the work they do for children from slum communities and decided to volunteer.

On the first day, I appreciated the way the teacher took the attendance of the children. Each child’s name was written on ice cream sticks and they had to pick up their names and also a sight word with it. To make the learning interesting and revise what the children learn, Dimple didi organizes games.

Working with Poveda Foundation has been a wonderful experience for me, where I can witness the smiles of the children as they enjoy studying in a playful manner. '

-Ronnie Mendonca
(Ronnie Bhaiyya lives in Pradhikaran, is a diploma holder and is presently pursuing his 12th through the NIOS)

Inauguration (4)

Inauguration (3)

Inauguration (2)

Inauguration (1)- 15th September

Current Vacancies

Our current vacancies:
Centre Teachers
Math and Science Teachers (in Marathi Medium)
Volunteers at Learning Centres
Curriculum developers

Email: povedafoundation@gmail.com or talentacquisition.pf@gmail.com
Telephone: 098226 22397

Poveda Foundation

Context
· 9 out of every 10 children who enroll in school do not go to college.
· 65% of those who appear for the SSC, pass.
· The education directive recommends that kids do not fail from class 1 to class 7.
· Irrespective of their socio economic status children have very little understanding of academic and professional choices after the SSC.
· Irrespective of their socio economic status children need accompaniment in their formative years- adolescence to the late teens.
· Over 40% of our population is below the age of 18 years.

Program
· After school support centres in underutilized spaces for 2½ hours a day, Monday to Friday
· Direct support offered in English, Math and Science
· Indirect support offered through study skills in other subjects
· Modules on Sexuality, Decision Making, Careers and Goal Setting
· Extra-curricular programs in Art, Sports and Computer.
· Parent participation and community capacity building projects

Outcomes
· Each enrolled child makes a 15% increase in her/ his academic performance, the minimal acceptable being 50%
· Every child leaves the program driven by a career goal and lucid understanding of steps to achieve the same.
· Every child leaves the program with the attitude and skills to live an empowered personal life.

Core team at each centre
· 1 centre teacher/ leader for every 30 kids
· 1 centre assistant (from the community)
· 1 Math and Science Teacher
· Volunteers

Fees
· A nominal fee per month is collected from the parents

Eligibility of kids
· Enrolment in class 7 in school, irrespective of age
· Permanent residency in a community
· Low income family
· Option for girls

Culture of the Foundation
· Focus on the beneficiary, that is why we are here
· Hard work, no short cuts and no place for excuses
· Introspection
· Respect
· Open and direct communication
· High aspirations and excellent quality
· Minimal waste and expenditure. Maximum use of available resources
· Accountability
· Sense of urgency


Email: povedafoundation@gmail.com
Telephone: 098226 22397
http://povedafoundation.blogspot.com/

-Reeves Rodrigues

Pictures

Pictures