Our previous conception of the NGO Naandi foundation based in Hyderabad (with whom we would be interning) was that it is a charity which helps impoverished young girls achieve their right to an education. However, the sheer magnitude and the scale of the social enterprise was evident from the CEO Manoj Kumars’s ambition to take over the responsibility of government education within five years. Our main focus throughout the 15 day internship was on Project Nanhi Kali – for the girl child.
On visiting one of the girls who was unable to attend school as a result of an accident, the enthusiasm and determination to get back to school was vividly apparent through her obvious discontent and frustration at having to stay at home, which is a testament to the enthusiasm of the coordinators whose passion for the job is clearly infectious. We were thoroughly impressed, on the whole, by the level of mathematics upheld in most classrooms. However, there was a disparity between those adept at the English language who have a natural tenacity and those in whom this is absent. One other potential problem may be a flaw in some teaching methods followed by school teachers. We found that some children were reciting their work without an understanding of its true meaning. The Nanhi Kali coordinarors work to change this rote learning. This problem could be diminishing now that the children are beginning to learn English from a much younger age and therefore appear to be developing a stronger sense of the language. The huge cultural diversity of this country came through in a variety of performances which we were treated to. The fact that the children demonstrated such confidence and desire to impress in their performances was extremely encouraging.
The vibrant and jovial atmosphere of the S.C Hostel Bholakpur we visited was illustrated through an incredible dance which they were preparing for the children’s film festival. The head teacher, Madam Radha Rani, is doing a remarkable job in maintaining both a sense of order and high spirits. Our most engaging visits were to individual homes of the Nanhi Kali where we were able to interact with the families and children on a more personal level. One girl, who suffered from both a leg injury and polio, walked an hour to school; such was her enjoyment of studying. On meeting the parents it was clear that the Nanhi Kali coordinators have been successful in shifting the mindset towards the significance of their children’s studies, which was conveyed through their determination to provide enough income so that their children can focus solely on school.
The Nanhi Kali Coordinator’s responsibilities range from overlooking tutorials to supervising the welfare of over 400 children and their families per week, but they sensibly focus on the families which require the most attention. We were also impressed by the Naanhi Kali teachers who make it all the more worthwhile for the pupils to stay on after school through their expert tuition. From all accounts of the students, it appeared to be making a marked improvement on their grades and consolidating the flaws in the school teaching. In addition, the Midday Meal program has helped the health and wellbeing of the children which in turn helps their ability to learn more efficiently. The skill of independent learning was also rightly promoted as group leaders held their own mini tutorials, which provided both the chance for them to consolidate their own learning as well as improve that of their peers.
This is a truly remarkable programme which quite rightly focuses on the source of social problems which is ultimately education. The most interesting side of the program for us was that the NGO Naandi foundation is less of a charity in the original sense of the word but run more in the proffessionaly fashion of a business which ultimately leads to a far greater and sustainable impact on their market which in this case is the social problems associated with poverty and illietracy in India.
Written by: Hamish Badenoch, Edward Morrison and Henry Lebus.
Interned at Project Nanhi Kali, Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad.
November 1st-15th, 2009.
