• VOLUNTEER
  • CAREERS
  • BLOG
DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
  • CAREERS
  • BLOG
Makkala Jagriti Makkala Jagriti
  • ABOUT US
    • VISION, MISSION, CORE VALUES
    • OUR STORY
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR PARTNERS
    • REPORTS
  • OUR WORK
    • ECCE PROGRAM
    • HDLC PROGRAM
    • YUVA JAGRITI
    • CAREGIVERS
  • JOIN THE MOVEMENT
    • DONATE
    • PARTNER
    • VOLUNTEER
    • WORK WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • STORIES OF CHANGE
DONATE
Makkala Jagriti
11Sep

Meet the heroes leading transformation

September 11, 2024 makkalajagriti News 1

This month, we are delighted to bring to you the story of Anithalakshmi, Srikanth Biradar, and Anandhi – all of them are from different regions, doing different things.

What is it that they have in common? How is it that they are part of one story? Read on to find out more.

Anithalakshmi: Leading the Way in Early Childhood Education

Anithalakshmi is an ICDS Supervisor overseeing 27 Anganwadis. Despite being loaded with umpteen tasks, she has started a journey of transformation. She has reorganized her monthly meetings with Anganwadi teachers to bring focus on preschool activities and made sure these gatherings are productive. She has created Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) and ensured their integration into daily lessons by Anganwadi teachers, which has made learning more engaging for children.

As an ICDS Anganwadi supervisor, Anithalakshmi has become a driving force behind improving early childhood education in the circle of Anganwadis she oversees. Through her initiative and dedication, she has truly transformed the centers into spaces of quality preschool learning. Working hand-in-hand with Makkala Jagriti, Anithalakshmi has embraced new methods and tools, refining classroom setups and empowering teachers with child-centered practices. Anithalakshmi’s vision and hard work have sparked change that will benefit generations to come.

Anithalakshmi conducting a session on “Domains of development” during one of her monthly meetings with the Anganwadi teachers in her circle.

Srikanth Biradar: Bringing Empathy and Care to CCIs

Srikanth Biradar, a Counsellor at the Observation Home in Vijayapura embodies the spirit of commitment and dedication to children. A passionate individual with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Srikanth draws energy from being part of children’s life-changing moments. He believes that these children, who come from difficult circumstances are an integral part of our society, and is proud to play a role in shaping their futures.

Through the Hosa Chiguru sessions (an online training program designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of the staff working in Child Care Institutions), Srikanth has gained valuable insights into child-centric practices. He notes that these sessions have helped him better understand the children, encouraging him to look at their needs and challenges in a deeply empathetic manner. With an evolved approach to working with children, he conducts fun activities and life skills sessions that not only engage the children but also contribute to their holistic growth.

Srikanth leads a session at the Observation Home, teaching the children essential tips and practices for maintaining good health.

Srikanth’s journey shows how a single individual, with the right support, can lead a shift in how institutions care for children. His ability to inspire other staff to embrace these new methods demonstrates his leadership and the profound impact he is making in his community.

Anandhi: Mobilizing Parents for Change in VV Giri Colony

Anandhi, a parent and an Anganwadi helper in VV Giri Colony – an underserved area in Bangalore, is a shining example of how local leadership can inspire collective action. As a mother herself, she understands the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education. She took it upon herself to mobilize parents and get them involved in their children’s education. Her persistent efforts to engage the community have led to increased parental participation, creating a stronger foundation for the children’s development.

In her role as an Anganwadi helper, Anandhi has worked closely with Makkala Jagriti and has actively followed-up with parents, make them attend meetings and help them foster child-centered growth in their homes. Anandhi has not only helped others, but has also grown personally through this process. Her engagement with Makkala Jagriti has allowed her to adopt a more empathetic approach in her work with children, becoming a role model for parents and a key figure in her community.

Anandhi (left) talking to a parent in the community.

Anithalakshmi, Srikanth, and Anandhi are proof that real change happens when individuals take the lead in transforming their communities. These individuals are true changemakers, using their leadership to create better futures for children. Makkala Jagriti is proud to be a partner in their journey, providing support and guidance as they rise to the challenge of making a difference.

Read more
20Aug

Strengthening the Ecosystem for Holistic Growth

August 20, 2024 makkalajagriti News 0

At Makkala Jagriti, we have learnt that true empowerment of children and youth happens by nurturing the ecosystem around them. Our recent efforts have focused on engaging educators, youth leaders, and entire communities to create environments where every child can thrive. We’re excited to share with you the progress we’ve made in the month of July.

Transforming Early Childhood Education Nationwide 
In partnership with the Wipro Foundation, we recently conducted a three-day workshop on Early Childhood Care and Education, bringing together 18 passionate educators from across India – Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh. This diverse group engaged in deep discussions on the fundamentals of ECCE, covering topics such as brain development, learning environments, and sustainable Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs). This is part of a 6-month capacity-building program where we will continue to engage with these educators and support them to make an impact in ECCE in their respective districts.

Here’s a glimpse of the training

 

The highlight of the workshop was a visit to our Anganwadi centers, where participants witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities within early childhood education. This visit not only reinforced the importance of connecting theory with practice but also sparked meaningful discussions on how to create more engaging, child-friendly spaces. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants eager to implement sustainable TLMs, enhance the visual appeal of their centers, and apply new strategies to support holistic child development.

Listen to Saeb’s experience here

Did you know that Government Observation Homes are facilities that house children in conflict with law while their case decisions are made? Many of them come from challenging situations and at Makkala Jagriti, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact in their lives. Hosa Chetana is a unique initiative where children from all observation Homes of Karnataka come together virtually and participate in different activities for their learning and growth. Recently, we hosted a special virtual talent show —a unprecedented opportunity for these children to express their creativity, discover their talents, and build the confidence they so deserve.

Watch a glimpse of it here

Leading Change in their Community
Empowering youth and children is key to driving meaningful change in communities. In Gopalapuram, we witnessed an inspiring transformation among the local youth. Initially eager to leave their community in search of better opportunities, these young leaders have now turned their focus inward, dedicating themselves to the betterment of their neighborhood.

Their commitment to civic engagement was powerfully demonstrated when they successfully facilitated the creation of 350 voter IDs for community members, ensuring that their voices are heard in the democratic process. This shift from seeking opportunities elsewhere to creating positive change at home is a testament to the impact of empowering youth. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that when young people are given the tools and support to lead, they can drive meaningful, long-lasting change in their communities.

Meanwhile, in Vallurvarpuram and VV Giri Colony, the seeds of social consciousness have begun to sprout among the children. In June and July, these young members took active ownership of creating eco-awareness in their neighborhoods. In Valluvarpuram, children led an initiative on how to cut plastic covers for easier recycling, promoting sustainable practices among their peers and families. In VV Giri Colony, children took to the streets with paintbrushes in hand, beautifying their community walls with messages on maintaining hygiene.

These efforts are a clear indication of how social consciousness is being nurtured in our communities, with children and youth taking the lead in promoting environmental stewardship and cleanliness. Their actions not only inspire their peers but also set a powerful example of how the younger generation can contribute to building healthier, more sustainable communities.

Read more
09Jul

Kicking off the new academic year in style – Read on!

July 9, 2024 makkalajagriti News 1

As summer winds down, we eagerly step into a new academic year with new hopes and aspirations. It is important to make the children and teachers feel special and we welcomed them in our centers with joy. Handmade medals, fun face masks, cheerful smiles, shining stars, and colorful handprints were just a few of the things that adorned our spaces, symbolizing the return of our children and the endless possibilities ahead. Meanwhile, our dedicated facilitators have been crafting engaging lessons, creating vibrant classrooms where children can express their true selves and unlock their full potential.

Children of Govt. Higher Primary Schools are enthusiastically ready to begin another year of learning and development.

International Day of Play

June 11th, 2024 marked the first-ever International Day of Play. It is a significant milestone highlighting the crucial role of play in children’s development. Play is not just a way for children to have fun; it is essential for their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. It fosters creativity, builds resilience, and enhances problem-solving skills. By engaging in play, children learn to navigate the world around them, develop interpersonal skills, and build strong foundations for future learning. 

Makkala Jagriti also celebrated the International Day of Play with games, laughter, and camaraderie, showcasing the joy and enrichment that play brings to our children’s lives. Activities ranged from traditional games to creative arts and crafts, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to explore and enjoy. The energy and enthusiasm were contagious, as children and teachers alike participated in the festivities. Play is a significant part of holistic development and we are thrilled that a global recognition accorded to it.

June was also a month of several other celebrations including Environment Day and International Day of Yoga. Watch the other celebrations that took place in our learning centers here. 

Corporate Volunteers Joining Our Social Movement

The spirit of volunteering is at the heart of the social sector and we are extremely grateful to the support of corporate volunteers who are joining us in our movement by engaging in deeply meaningful activities with the children. In a remarkable display of commitment, Team Allegis collaborated with Makkala Jagriti at Government Higher Primary School, Devarachikanahalli and engaged with the children through activities centered around the theme “Our Family,” which included creating banners and drawings, as well as performing skits on topics such as alcohol addiction and the importance of education. These activities fostered meaningful conversations and created a positive, supportive environment. We are extremely happy to see the volunteers deeply invested and supporting us in providing holistic development opportunities to children.

A volunteer shares, “Being part of Allegis for a long time, CSR has always been close to my heart. Each visit to the school has been enriching, bringing back joy and creativity from the children, proving that CSR is about receiving as much as giving. Thank you for this opportunity.” 

Volunteers deeply involved in the banner activity with children

This month saw many more corporate volunteering engagements at Makkala Jagriti and we are thankful to our partners Allegis, Goldman Sachs, Paypal, HyVee, and others for dedicating their time and efforts to enrich our programs and inspire our children. Volunteering is not just an act of service; it is a powerful force that transforms lives, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among our children.

We’re energized to make this academic year an unforgettable experience for all our children and youth – to explore, learn, and grow together.

Read more
21May

Rap and Roll: An unforgettable workshop for Children!

May 21, 2024 makkalajagriti News 0

In a harmonious fusion of talent and joy, our V.V Giri community center recently played host to the popular Kannada Rap Artist Gubbi, creating an unforgettable experience for all involved. During the workshop, our youth Srikanth along with the children danced to another song by Gubbi, which moved the artist to tears. Meeting him in person was truly a dream come true for our children.

Witness the magic here

Accompanied by music producer John, Gubbi spent an hour singing and dancing with our kids, while they explored the roots of rap and the basics of beatboxing. John also shared insights, highlighting how digital composing has been accessible through mobile phones, emphasizing that a career in music is within reach for anyone with passion and dedication. The workshop wasn’t just about music, it was about dreams taking shape, one verse at a time.

Read more
21May

Dreams Take Flight! 

May 21, 2024 makkalajagriti News 1

“It was my dream to travel by flight but never imagined that I would be able to achieve it at this young age” – Asiya

Asiya and Anjum, two bright stars from our Avalahalli Community Youth Centre, are soaring high in confidence and pride. Selected to represent us at a prestigious national-level youth consultation workshop organized by Samvada, their path from Avalahalli to Delhi is nothing short of a testament to the power of dreams. Together with peers from across the nation, they were part of key discussions about the future of the youth of the country. Taking part in discussions on crucial topics ranging from Education to Socio-ecological justice. This opportunity is not just about traveling by flight, but also of broadening their horizons and realizing their aspirations, and becoming changemakers and role models for other girls in their community.

Our Yuva Jagriti program creates unprecedented opportunities for youth from urban poor communities to transform their lives. Write to us at headoffice@makkalajagriti.org to know more.

Listen to them here

Read more
16Apr

Summer is here, and so is our much-awaited Summer Camp!

April 16, 2024 makkalajagriti News 0

Our children’s excitement is palpable as they dive into the days brimming with exhilarating activities, collaborative teamwork, and thrilling new adventures. Makkala Jagriti is organizing summer camps across its programs – in schools, Child Care Institutions, and Community Centres, providing our children with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and, most importantly, have fun.

This year, we are featuring unique activities to ignite their curiosity as they dabble in different themes such as nature, mysteries of underwater worlds, become superheroes, spark their creativity through pottery, wall-mural art, theatre, and also a one-of-a-kind rap workshop. The camps are sure to give the children not just experiences but a great sense of accomplishment, too.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening

Read more
16Apr

How 27 seconds of rap unlocked a decade-long dream

April 16, 2024 makkalajagriti News 0

As we step into April, we’re not just embracing the onset of summer but also marking the beginning of another year for Makkala Jagriti. Amidst the vibrant energy of our summer camps, we take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary year we’ve had. We are filled with gratitude for the remarkable impact your support has enabled at Makkala Jagriti.

2023-24 was indeed a remarkable year, highlighted by Makkala Jagriti’s 20th anniversary celebrations. We marked this incredible milestone through events like “MJ@20”, the “MJ Alumni Meet,” and the captivating “Makkala Raaga,” all centered around the theme of Celebrating infinite possibilities.

Among the many inspiring stories, Srikanth’s journey stands out, truly embodying the spirit of infinite possibilities.

Srikanth, a spirited lad hailing from Valluvarpuram, has had many struggles through his childhood. It was within the walls of MJ’s learning center that he discovered his love for dance. He immersed himself in the art, and his passion for dancing burgeoned to the point where it started taking the shape of a chosen profession. He dreamed big and kept looking for breaks.

And when he was given the opportunity to choreograph a dance part of the “Namma Makkala Jagriti” song, he grabbed it with both hands. This song was conceived and created as an anthem for the social movement. With a power-packed rap section created and sung by Gubbi with power enough to unlock decade-long dreams. Watch Srikanth stand at the pinnacle of his dreams and share his joy of being part of this milestone and how he’s launched himself on the grand stage. Goosebumps guaranteed!

Watch Srikanth’s Story

Looking ahead, our commitment to breaking barriers and unlocking every child’s potential remains steadfast. We owe our success to collaborative efforts like yours, propelling us forward.

Read more
15Mar

Proud Winner Of The HCLTech Grant Edition IX (2024)

March 15, 2024 makkalajagriti News 1

We are overjoyed to share with you a monumental achievement in our journey toward shaping a brighter future for our youngest learners. Makkala Jagriti has won the esteemed HCLTech Grant Edition IX under the Education category for 2024. This is a recognition of our relentless efforts in transforming Early Childhood Care and Education ecosystem, and we feel proud and grateful.

In India, Anganwadis play a crucial role in providing child development services, particularly for rural and underprivileged children. Anganwadis have a key responsibility to deliver quality early childhood education, which can have a profound impact on a children’s learning ability as well as outcomes in later years.

This grant will help us transform the early education ecosystem in one of Heggadadevana Kote (HD Kote), one of Karnataka’s most backward Taluks with a significant rural and tribal population. The project focuses on capacity building of Anganwadi teachers, Supervisors, parents, and the community at large towards ensuring that quality preschool education becomes a way of life. Aligned with NEP-2020 and SDG-4, this initiative has the potential to bring life-changing impacts to the children of this region.

Over the next four years, our project aims to impact over 12,500 children in 403 Anganwadis, enhancing their school readiness levels, ensuring that age-appropriate developmental milestones are met, increase Anganwadi enrollment and attendance rates, and advocate with the system to prioritize early childhood care and education at all levels.

“We are incredibly honored and grateful for getting this opportunity to serve one of the most marginalized populations, and it’s even more special because it’s for the early years and we all understand the importance of investing in foundational years” says our CEO, Sunayana Chatrapathy.

We extend our sincere gratitude HCLFoundation for this grant. We are also grateful for the selection process, which has been an extremely enriching experience for Makkala Jagriti. We deeply value the Foundation’s belief in our vision and commitment, as well as their trust in us to move forward in our mission to transform the Early Childhood Care and Education ecosystem.

We are deeply thankful to our dedicated team and all our partners whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in reaching this milestone. On this occasion, we also extend our heartfelt congratulations to our fellow winners, The Corbett Foundation and Sangath India, for their outstanding achievements in securing the HCLTech Grant for the Environment and Health categories, respectively. Their exemplary work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and compassion, inspiring us all to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Read more
01Nov

Adding more SPICE to our lives

November 1, 2022 makkalajagriti News 1

A powerful learning session amidst nature

Bangalore’s iconic Cubbon Park may be known world over, but there are many youth in the communities we work with, who have never been there or explored the place. MJ’s Yuva Jagriti team seized the opportunity and created an impactful first time experience by taking nearly 60 youth of the Gopalapuram community for an outbound experiential life skills session to Cubbon Park.

It was a surprise for many of the youth that an outing like this was combined with life skills. What followed was a deep learning experience on communication and interpersonal skills, gender biases, and problem-solving in the midst of nature. Their curiosity levels and energy helped them absorb much better than in a closed hall. There was a sense of freedom for them and great bonding as well.

makkalajagriti

“I had always associated problem-solving with mathematics. I had never expected to learn problem solving through games. I also understood how critical patience and time-management were in life” says Pooja, one of the youth participants.

All in all, it was joyful and experiential learning in the truest sense of the term and there will be more of them.

Packing a punch since over a year

Continuing on the thread of facilitating unprecedented opportunities, here’s something that should kick in even more excitement.

Makkala Jagriti is proud to have been associated with Bhairavi is a social initiative that is on a mission to empower underprivileged children with the tools and techniques to lead lives of confidence, dignity and health through the martial art of Taekwondo. With Bhairavi’s support, we have been facilitating Taekwondo training for children in government schools and Child Care institutions.

In August 2021, we kickstarted online Taekwondo sessions to children in Child Care institutions across the state – a truly unprecedented experience in every sense. The sessions were extremely useful to children in the pandemic times as it helped them release their stress levels while developing confidence and good health. Week after week went by and we had completed a year of the intervention, with many children and Child Care Institutions continuing to participate regularly and enthusiastically.

To celebrate this, Makkala Jagriti and Bhairavi with the support of the Directorate of Child Protection organized an online event where certificates of appreciation were awarded to more than 700 children across 30 institutions in 18 districts of Karnataka who have been consistently participating in the sessions. We are sure that the children will treasure this moment and it shall also be an inspiration for others.

We would like to thank the Bhairavi team including Neha, instructors Ved and Master Nagarjuna for dedicatedly conducting the sessions throughout the year.

makkalajagriti

An integrated SPICE for a truly integrated learning experience

After nearly a two-year gap, we are back to implementing Makkala Jagriti’s flagship SPICE model of intervention with children in government schools, communities and children in institutional care in a consistent and structured manner. And what’s more exciting is that we have revamped the content and approach towards its implementation.

In the new approach, we will have an integrated curriculum that facilitates Socio-emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Ethical development among children. We have newly added the dimension of Ethical development to SPICE as we truly believe that a strong foundation on ethics and values is what shall help us move towards a more equitable society.

makkalajagriti

Our team has been working hard on the new model from the last 6 months and more and we were able to conclude the first set of training to the facilitators recently. The pilot sessions have been very promising and insightful and we are excited about the future of the holistic learning ecosystem we are creating. We shall share the stories from the field as they pour in.

A big shout out to Dr. Indira Vijayasimha, Founder, Poorna Learning Centre and Professor (Retd.), Azim Premji University, who has been guiding us in the process. Here’s what she has to say about the new approach: “Holistic development of children can be effectively achieved through an integrated approach which combines different dimensions of education seamlessly. This can be done by following a theme based curriculum which helps in meaningful and joyful learning.”

Micro-improvements that make mega differences

The development sector overall and the education sector is a complex space with multiple issues, stakeholders, resource constraints and perspectives. It is obvious that interventions at multiple levels are needed to bring in big changes, but one can easily be overwhelmed by the complexity of it all.

This is where the power of Micro-improvements comes in. Micro-improvements are projects or undertakings with small goals that show immediate results. These in turn aid in establishing practices that can be repeated to create a journey of sustainable improvement.

In collaboration with Shikshalokam, a non-profit working on education leadership, Makkala Jagriti had an opportunity to showcase the micro-improvements that we have undertaken in the ECCE space with about 40 enthusiastic changemakers from nearly 15 NGOs.

We showcased a series of improvements that included creating conducive learning spaces in Anganwadis, recognition of Anganwadi Workers as Anganwadi Teachers, early education practices adopted by Anganwadi teachers, community involvement and so on.

makkalajagriti

Two things stood out from the group reflection that followed. One is the acknowledgment that getting Early Childhood Education right is one of the most important steps in addressing many larger problems of the education system in India. The second is the appreciation and acknowledgment that systemic changes can indeed be achieved through Micro-improvements. We are heartened as well as energized by these reflections to do more.

Read more
22Aug

Makkala Jagriti helping children dream and learn (Deccan Herald)

August 22, 2022 makkalajagriti News 0

Helping children dream and learn

makkalajagriti
Children engage with student volunteers at the Makkala Jagriti centres.
makkalajagriti
A graduation ceremony for children who visit the Makkala Jagriti centres.

The Sharada Sthree Samaja in Kumara Park, Bengaluru is bright and cheerful with the laughter of children. On a Saturday at 3 pm, about twenty kids have gathered here to do homework or play. Four student volunteers are involved in engaging the children and helping them out.

The children from economically deprived communities in Seshadripuram call the space a tuition centre. Facilitators here help children with their studies after school and also engage them in various activities.

Started in 2003, Makkala Jagriti (MJ), a non-governmental organisation, currently has five such community centres in Bengaluru, two of which focus on teens who are in Class 10.

For Mahesh, 16, the space has enabled learning and encouraged him to nurture his ambitions. After scoring 79% in SSLC, now he has taken up science in PUC.

Rakshya, now in II PUC (commerce), aspires to be a bank manager. She says the Valluvapuram centre helped her continue learning through Covid, by way of revisions through online classes. This helped her clear her SSLC with 81%.

For the community, this is a great change as girl children would often drop out after puberty and others discontinued their education due to lack of guidance.

These centres started out as spaces for learning but soon transformed into spaces where children discover themselves and envision their futures — a space for holistic learning.

The concept was then extended to government schools and Anganwadis five years ago. Now, the programme covers about 75 government schools, 67 Anganwadis and 27 government childcare institutions. Facilitators are assigned to each school and they ensure the holistic development of children and employ different learning models.

Premalatha, a teacher working in a government primary school in Malleshwaram, says, activity workbooks for Classes 1-7 helped with the comprehensive development of children through the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development model (SPICE model) developed by MJ’s internal programme team.

“This book turned out to be useful during Covid. Kids were able to learn something sitting at home,” says Prasanna D R, who was a Cluster Resource Person for the Vasanthapura schools.

Most government schools are short-staffed and teachers are not really able to concentrate on co-curricular activities. “That is where Makkala Jagriti helps,” he adds.

During Covid, the NGO formed virtual groups across Karnataka, coordinating programmes for Anganwadis. In 19 years, their work has spread to 13 districts.

Paying forward

Joy Srinivasan, the founder of Makkala Jagriti, saw the prejudices and discrimination in education for poor children when she was a child herself. She believes that the birthplace of children should not limit them.

After a difficult childhood, she overcame all odds, charting a successful career as a behavioural science professional and international trainer. To help other children overcome adversities, she started the NGO in Adugodi.

Mahesh Andani, now a training manager for a smartphone company, started coming to the Adugodi centre in 2010. “Coming from a vulnerable background and entering a competitive corporate space is not easy,” he says. A welcoming space, non-judgemental facilitators and experiential learning were factors that contributed to his growth.

The NGO today has 117 employees. Corporate volunteers and interns work with the NGO on a regular basis.

Sugandhi, a community coordinator, has been working with MJ for the past eight years. On a typical day, she visits the communities to talk to parents and identify issues that would affect children. If a child has a difficult home environment, she tries to counsel the parents.

Coordinators try to enrol children dropping out of private schools into government schools to stop them from discontinuing education. In the evening, when children visit the centre, they engage them in academic and co-curricular activities.

Vaishnavi, a Class 7 student, attends the centre daily. She aspires to become a police officer. Living in a joint family of 35 people in a small space, she says the centre helps her finish her homework and study in the evenings.

Kaajal, the daughter of a migrant from Bihar, dreams of becoming a dancer. “I’m waiting for dance classes to start,” she says happily.

Inspiring others

The NGO has also inspired the creation of another non-profit in the Netherlands. Called Kleine Heiden, the NGO was founded in 2017.

Paulien Weikamp, from the city of Utrecht, says in an email, “In 2015, Joy Srinivasan invited us to visit one of the government schools where Makkala Jagriti was working. We fell in love instantly with this organisation.”

Every year Paulien and her colleague Karin Steffens visit the centres in Bengaluru. They organise virtual meet-ups between kids from their NGO and Makkala Jagriti twice a year. The children exchange ideas and peek into each others’ worlds. Dutch children have also helped raise funds for the organisation.

Saritha, who lives in a tiny one-room house in the area with a family of four attests to the benefits of the tuition centre. “We could not study, that is why we are like this. I don’t want my kids to be like me.”

Read more
    12
Makkala Jagrithi logo

Sign up for our newsletter by entering your email id

HOME

OUR WORK

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

PRIVACY POLICY

ABOUT US

CONTACT US

STORIES OF CHANGE

DONATE

BLOG

NEWS & EVENTS

CAREERS

© Copyright 2020 Makkala Jagriti

Developed by SriKa Marketing for Nonprofits

anganwadi school near me

How the education of one girl can impact generations ahead

Both of Mercy’s parents worked in the unorganised sector, who could not afford her school fees. She joined Makkala Jagriti Learning Centre at the age of 11, and always found the facilitators to be warm, welcoming and encouraging. Makkala Jagriti also supported her to pursue her education.

“We had a lot of freedom to explore our interests and talents. They taught us life skills and values. It was a new world for me.”

– Mercy

Through the Yuva Jagriti career guidance programme, Mercy received the right kind of insight and encouragement that led her to pursue a degree in Commerce, that too through a merit seat. Being the first girl in her family to study that far, she set an example in her community and made choices that allowed her to move beyond the circumstances that she was born into. Mercy now works in a reputed bank and is among our celebrated many who not only made a difference in their own lives but continue to do so in that of others.

anganwadi centres

Turning a Misguided Youth into a Community Leader

Prabhu was a teenager when the old, dilapidated building in which his family lived collapsed, leaving them without a home. While they were still grappling with the situation, Prabhu lost his father, the sole earning member of the family. Unable to process his difficult circumstances, he found strength in hanging around with his friends, who often indulged in gang wars and all forms of abusive behaviour.

Prabhu was a shy yet playful boy when he joined the Yuva Jagriti centre at the age of 15. He expressed, “I feel I am at crossroads, not sure which road to take”. Following our support and guidance, he decided to pursue an internship at Makkala Jagriti. He was entrusted to work with children from Shelter Homes. Today, Prabhu is a sought-after Creative Facilitator and Coordinator at Makkala Jagriti, managing three Community Centres. A silent yet sound performer, he brings in diverse and highly creative ways to engage children and help them learn and grow.

best ngo in bangalore

From a 10th Std. dropout to a World Taekwondo Champion

Murali lived in Bengaluru with his brother, while his parents lived in a village in Tamil Nadu. After his 10th grade, he lost the interest and inclination to study further. When he joined Yuva Jagriti, he started learning Taekwondo at our centre, which helped him become calmer and more focused. He also showed immense capacity to work with children, especially in the areas of sports and creativity, and this landed him an opportunity to work with Makkala Jagriti. Alongside his work, he pursued Taekwondo and competed at the District, State and National levels. He won a number of Gold Medals.

Today, Murali is an accomplished Taekwondo instructor, teaching at many schools in Bengaluru. He brought great accolades to the Nation when he won two bronze medals at the World Taekwondo Championship in Korea in September 2017.

best ngo in bangalore

Breaking the language barrier for migrant children

Barnalli, a seventh grade student at Government Primary School, Somasundrapalya, is a child of migrant parents from Assam. Unable to speak the local language, Kannada, she found it difficult to adjust to school and struggled to mingle with other children.

“When you are new to a place and don’t know anyone, it is hard to fit in. She didn’t have any friends in school.”

– Barnalli’s mother

Makkala Jagriti’s language development program came to her rescue.

“Although I was in a higher grade, the HDLC facilitator taught me Kannada right from the basics. The different activities and sessions helped me grasp the language easily and quickly. Over time, Kannada moved from being just a new language to my favorite subject. Learning Kannada helped me enjoy school a lot more. I became a class leader and also started representing the school in inter-school competitions!”

– Barnalli

best ngo in bangalore

Equipping parents to become positive influencers

Manoj, a 12-year-old boy, hails from a family of garment workers who had migrated from Andhra Pradesh. On moving to Bengaluru in 2018, he joined the Government Primary School in Ulsoor. The drastic change in his environment and culture left him feeling withdrawn and fearful. He refused to speak or participate in any school activity. Over time, he confided in our HDLC facilitator about feeling neglected by his parents in such difficult circumstances.

Manoj’s mother was invited to participate in Makkala Jagriti’s parents’ workshop. The two-day residential workshop allowed her to reflect on her own mindset, biases and relationship with her son. At the end of it, she made a conscious decision to work on rebuilding and restoring her relationship with Manoj. At school, our facilitator noticed that this had a direct impact on his performance. He became more participative and improved in his academics. Manoj later shared with the facilitator that his relationship had become more harmonious and positive with his mother.

anganwadi school

Nammoora Anganwadi

We have seen great transformation take place when parents and community members are involved in shaping learning spaces for children and understand the importance of preschool education. The Anganwadi at Katamnallur, Bengaluru, transformed from a dull space to a vibrant and colourful learning centre, where children love to visit every day and parents and community members gather to participate in various activities.

“When we started our intervention, we saw that the environment at the Anganwadi was not safe or conducive for children. Although the community could contribute to the Anganwadi’s development, there was a major gap between the community, local leaders and Anganwadi teachers.”

– Gouri, Coordinator

Through community celebrations and fun events, we involved community members in the Anganwadi activities. As their participation grew, their understanding about the significance of early learning and development also increased and they readily contributed to the centre’s development.

“Community involvement in Anganwadi is so important. Inspired by Makkala Jagriti’s work, we saw the community, parents and Bala Vikas Samithi members come together and show greater ownership towards the Anganwadi.”

– Subramanya Swamy, Doddabanahalli Gram Panchayat Member

best ngo in bangalore

A Library with Toys!

In an effort to ensure that every household in the Anganwadi community had access to child-friendly learning materials, we started a novel initiative called ‘Toy Library’, which allowed parents to borrow toys and learning resources for their children.

“The Toy Library has been very useful for children. Whatever we teach at Anganwadi, they can continue learning at home independently. Parents also feel more equipped to engage their children at home. No wonder, within just two months of its launch, over 100 toys were borrowed from our Anganwadi.”

– Bhavya, Anganwadi teacher

The Toy Library concept was welcomed by the community and the time spent on learning at home increased!

“My child always preplans what he’d like to take home from the Toy Library. He has also become very responsible in maintaining the toys because he knows he must return them! In the past 3 months, we have borrowed 20 times already.”

– Shwetha, Parent, Vijayanagara Anganwadi, Doddaballapur

best ngo in bangalore

Empowered Teachers Create Better Learners

To ensure children get quality pre-school learning opportunities in the Anganwadi, we empower the teachers and helpers through enhancing their knowledge, skills and attitude towards early learning and development.

“Through Anganwadi trainings, I have changed in a positive way and gained confidence about myself – especially in terms of catering to all domains of early learning. I have even started making learning materials by myself to teach children”.

– Nirmala, Anganwadi teacher, Rojipura

We train teachers and helpers on experiential learning methods that can be practiced at their centres. We also organise Mothers’ Meetings and regular mentoring visits to provide on-the-job support and guidance to teachers. Anganwadi helpers are empowered to become co-teachers and have an important role in the children’s learning process, thereby not confining them to just cooking and cleaning.

“I was used to just cooking and cleaning in the Anganwadi and did not do much else. However, after I attended the ECCE trainings, I realized I had a lot of potential and could engage and teach the children just like a teacher. Now, when the teacher is absent, I engage children in preschool learning activities.”

– Rukmini, Helper, Jyothinagar Anganwadi

From giving little time to learning, to prioritizing pre-school learning and spending more quality time with children, Anganwadi teachers and helpers have come a long way.