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ESAF Balajyothi

Overview

ESAF has focused on the integrated development of poor and marginalized children since its inception. We have initiated several diverse projects to aid their upliftment.

ESAF Balajyothi is a social initiative, which focuses on developing children of marginalized communities through time tested integrated programmes. The project envisions a child-friendly society, where children are empowered to advocate for their rights and contribute to nation building. It aims at a holistic transformation of children by instilling in them knowledge and skills that could create a better community. The project provides children with a team of facilitators who not only enable them to excel in academics but also equip them with essential life skills and trains them to learn about their rights. Children have the opportunity to meet at study centres where they can learn and clarify doubts with the help of their facilitator and the learning aids provided through the project.

Balajyothi clubs are formed to facilitate poor children in getting access to standard club facilities and the project activities mainly concentrates on two aspects: Clubs and Study Centres.

The project serves nearly 2,460 children in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Project Objectives

To create happy, healthy and academically bright children, socially responsible youth, and informed parents in every neighbourhood.

To develop academic, non-academic, creative and life skills in children.

To rejuvenate community-based Arts and Sports Clubs.

Empower children and related stakeholders to advocate for basic child rights.

To provide professional training in arts and sports for financially disadvantaged children.

To equip and prepare children to be active members in the development and progress of society.

Activities

Academic Activities

  • Academic coaching takes place in study centres where locally appointed facilitators guide the students. Academic support was provided to 960 children through 45 study centres.

Non-Academic Activities

  • 137 children were trained in craft making.
  • 36 children were trained in drawing.
  • 800 children were taught saving habits through piggy banks
  • 18 children were supported in initiating entrepreneurial activities
  • One community-based sports club, Sahrudaya Club, at Aasarikkad comprising of 50 members was rejuvenated
  • Children were trained in sports at Don Bosco Centre and Ayakkad School -80 (Football), 36 (Basketball), 8 (Badminton)
  • Children from clubs and study centres were trained on different themes as part of observing special days like Environment Day, Vayojana Dhinam, Financial Literacy, Gender Equality, Social Justice, Children’s Day etc
  • 180 children were trained in public speaking
  • 124 children were trained in communicative English
  • Career guidance was given to 103 children
  • 297 children got training in craft making
  • 120 children participated in sports competitions
  • 610 children got financial literacy awareness
  • 563 children developed saving habits through piggy banks
  • Children planted 500 saplings on World Environment Day
  • 292 children participated in magazine making competition
  • Children from clubs and study centres were trained on different themes as part of observance of a few special days like Environment Day, World Yoga Day, Children’s Day etc
  • 10 facilitators got trained in Communicative English

Impacts

  • All the children who appeared for the 10th exam passed with distinction.
  • Jeevan Biju of Perumbavoor Balajyothi study centre won 2nd Prize in the drawing competition organized by Block Resource Centre, Kuvappady.
  • Devapriya Prakash of Mananthavady Balajyothi club won first prize in the online Folk song competition organized by Calicut Sangeetha Sadas.
  • Yadhu Prakash (Wayanad BJC) got 1st prize in World Environment Day Photo competition with Caption, jointly organised by Mananthavady Block Panchayath, Wayanad Neithu Gramam and BRC Mananthavady. Sub Collector Sreelakshmi IAS gave away the prize.
  • 550 Students started regular savings through piggy banks.

The club, a catalyst for transformation

The story of Jinesh V.J.

Jinesh V.J. is studying in 7th standard in KVR HS, Shoranur and he is a club member of the Ottappalam study centre. Initially, he was not active in academics and weekend club activities. Being an introvert, he did not even have the confidence to stand up and read his homework.

After six months of continuous tuition, there was a positive change in his behaviour. As he began to actively participate in weekend activities, his confidence level improved. Now, Jinesh is one of the most active members of the club.

He leads and helps other children in creative activities. He also takes initiative to find the important days and reminds the teacher to organize activities. His parents acknowledged the change in his behaviour. “Now he spends quality time with his peers and his communication has improved.” said his happy mother. “The Kargil day observance was an initiative of Jinesh”, said Sandhya, the facilitator. Jinesh’s parents were really happy with the transformation he has undergone.

Autism cannot stop him from enjoying life

The story of Mon Muhon Singh Patiri

Mon Muhon Singh Patiri is a 13-year-old boy from Gohpur, a rural village in Assam. As Muhon suffered from autism he was not able to attend a regular school like other children of his age. The village lacked facilities for children like Muhon to improve their skills. His parents were not well educated and they had neither the means nor the facilities to provide special education according to his needs.

Recently an ESAF Balajyothi club opened in Gohpur and the facilitator, Ashinto Doley, noticed the enthusiasm of Muhon who used to come and watch the club activities as an outsider. Soon Ashinto sought his parents’ permission to make him a member of the Balajyothi club.

It was a difficult task for Ashinto to train him. Ashinto conducted a detailed study about him by interacting with his parents. He then involved Muhon in different activities within his natural limitations. There was a significant improvement in Muhon’s performance after a few weeks of training in the club. Now he is the first person to reach the club every week.

Indefatigable enthusiasm of Adhina Noor

The story of Adhina Noor

Adhina Noor was one of the active members of the Balajyothi club in Nagpur. She used to attend all the classes and competitions conducted in the club. The skills of the talented Adhina were well-nurtured through the club. Unfortunately, she had to leave the club last year as her family relocated to a different place. By the time she left, the club became an indispensable part of her life. Even after leaving she used to be in touch with the facilitators to get updates about the club activities. The subsequent lockdown had a negative impact on the children as clubs were not permitted to function. The impact was much worse on students from economically backward families. Their social life was badly marred and they were again confined to isolation.

The Balajyothi team came up with a plan to engage the children by organising a Magazine competition. They distributed materials to the houses of children with necessary guidelines to prepare the theme-based magazines. Adhina was more than happy to participate in the competition. All the children, including Adhina, came up with outstanding creative works. The facilitators distributed prizes to the children and specially invited Adhina to the office and appreciated her for actively participating in club activities even after she left the club. Adhina’s story inspired the facilitators to give more attention to the Balajyothi programme. It demonstrated the positive role clubs could play in the lives of the children

A visual walkthrough of the project