From the Ground: A Glimpse into Pratham’’s Transformative Impact
During my recent visit to India, I embarked on a journey spanning Lucknow and Delhi, immersing myself in the heart of Pratham’s programs. As a long-time supporter, my family and I have visited Pratham programs before – but this trip was special. This was my first visit since becoming the Chair of the Pratham USA board earlier this year. While my previous trips were from the perspective of a supporter and donor, this four-day journey had the additional dimension of gaining a deeper understanding of the operations, structure, people and culture of our organization on the ground in India. I got a first-hand look into the lives touched by Pratham’s initiatives, but also had the opportunity to spend time with dozens of Pratham leaders, team members and volunteers. My journey began in Lucknow, where my first stop was to attend an ongoing Hamara Gaon volunteer training with Saurabh Sharma. It was fascinating to see about 100 Community Instructors and Mentors (CIMs) being trained to teach children. In a way this group constitutes the heart of our childhood education programs – the ones in the front line in thousands of communities. There were men and women, some younger, a few middle aged. The common thread was that they wanted to be a productive part of their community’s progress. Lucknow also has one of our large multi-skilling and vocational training centers. It is impressive, three storeys high with classrooms, work sheds, living space for students and several guest rooms which serve as a training ground for the hospitality team. I stayed at the center in one of these rooms. The journey of these young people is inspiring. They come from various walks of life with different levels of education and experiences. Most of them have never lived or traveled outside of their villages. Embedded in the skills training is life training. Every morning there is assembly. Everybody lines up with a podium in the front. Young men and women who were once diffident, with voices barely audible above a whisper, are now confidently addressing their peers during morning assemblies, their voices carrying the conviction of those who are discovering their inner strength. I visited the classroom and hands-on training garages with Annette Francis and Ajit Solanki (leaders in our Skilling programs) and others. There were no chairs in the hospitality training classroom – standing for eight hours or so is part of the job, so that’s how it’s set up. They learn about various types of cutlery, wines and beverages. The auto and two-wheeler training garages are full of tools, descriptions and various unassembled engine parts. The students come here with the hope of getting a job (we do have 85% placement rates) but leave as transformed people with a changed life trajectory. Their faces reflected pride, a spark ignited by the hope of a brighter future. Clearly, the impact of these programs extends beyond the workshop walls. Trainees, once struggling to find employment, were securing jobs, earning incomes that enabled them to support their families. This comprehensive support system yielded remarkable results. A modest investment of just $300 generates a three-to-four-times return within the first year itself, a testament to the program’s cost-effectiveness and impact. Next morning was a brisk start – we headed to a Second Chance program outside of Lucknow, near Sitapur. We walked into a small room. It was no larger than 25 feet by 25 feet, but was bright with the smiles of about 20 young women ranging between 15 and 17 years of age. About half of the girls were wearing a hijab. There was Shivani, Puja and Saleema, and others. They were enrolled in this one-year program, which starts with foundational skills and then helps the girls prepare for the 10th grade certificate exam. We went around the room and the girls explained why they were doing this. They were all excited about learning and about a different future. Some wanted to be doctors, others policewomen and yet others teachers. For one reason or another they had all had to drop out of school, mostly between the 6th and 8th grades. They kept using the words “second chance”, as if to say that they knew life was giving them another look and that they were determined to use this opportunity. By the end of our time there, which involved us treating them with some samosas and mithai, they were all happy and comfortable and sharing their work. They shared some of their classwork – meticulous writing in Hindi and English. My mind could not help but travel to the years gone by when my young daughters would share their school work with me. They are both in college now, charting the course of their lives – and I hope every one of the girls in that classroom can do the same. My next stop was East Delhi with Samyukta Subramanian (leader in our early childhood program), where I visited an Anganwadi, a government-run early childhood education center. The room was abuzz with activities for young minds. The Anganwadi’s role extends beyond education, providing holistic support to children and families, encompassing healthcare, nutrition and women’s empowerment initiatives. I met three remarkable women, Indu, Prameela and Anita, who were once housewives with limited opportunities. Today, they are Pratham employees who were trained as volunteer mothers. They now educate other mothers, who then advocate for early years learning. Anita runs a team of 300 women. Prameela and Indu now run about eight to ten Anganwadis each. They went from a salary of 500 INR / $6 per month to 10,000 INR / $120 per month. Witnessing the mothers’ group in action was another highlight. Women from the community gathered, sharing experiences, learning from each other and advocating for their children’s well-being. This supportive network fostered a sense of togetherness, enabling them to make informed decisions about their children’s future. In the US we go to Pratham events and galas and hear slogans like “changing lives, transforming communities” –
Exploring India’s Culture and Education: A recap of the Pratham Youth Summer Program
Written by Priyanka Sarthi We are excited to share the incredible journey of the Pratham Youth Summer Program 2023 – a 12-day immersive experience that brought a group of young people together to explore the essence of education, culture, and community service in India. Hosted at the esteemed Pratham Arora Centre for Education near Aurangabad, this unique program combined learning, leadership, and cross-cultural exchange, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of Pratham’s renowned educational initiatives and a newfound appreciation for Indian culture. An Exceptional Opportunity for Immersive Learning The Pratham Youth Summer Program, initiated by Pratham USA in 2018, was designed to offer the children of Pratham Supporters a chance to witness the impact of their support firsthand. The program resumed in 2023, offering teaching and skills development, along with fresh perspectives on contemporary Indian social issues. Participants engaged in diverse activities encompassing vocational training, community involvement, and classroom interactions with Pratham beneficiaries of all ages. Moreover, the program featured field trips to nearby historical sites and local communities. Enriching Experiences: Highlights from the Program Over the course of the 12 days, participants delved into a variety of enriching experiences, each contributing to their personal and professional growth. Participants embarked on a journey to tutor vocational training students in basic English and digital literacy. The program’s culmination showcased the progress these students made through engaging role-play performances in English. Students got the chance to embrace village life, visiting hybrid learning villages which allowed participants to learn and engage in various creative activities with local children including music, dance, and art activities. A visit to the Science Center was a highlight where participants collaborated with local students to create educational models. This allowed the participants to see the organic farming practices that directly benefited the community. Participants observed classes and teaching methods at a government school. This experience provided insights into how different education systems work. It also showcased the impact of Pratham’s government partnerships, how this is empowering teachers and benefiting the children in government schools. The program also allowed the youth to dive into local culture and history through visits to the Daulatabad Fort and Ellora Caves. Participants also observed local handloom artisans and gained insights into traditional craftsmanship. Through a lecture and conversations with Rukmini Banerji, CEO of Pratham, the participants gained insights into the state of education in India and Pratham’s transformational work. The lecture shed light on the pressing issue of illiteracy and educational disparities among the youth population, with over half of the country’s young people struggling to read at their educational level. Rukmini’s passion for transforming this narrative through Pratham’s initiatives was evident as she shared her vision for a more equitable educational landscape. Engaging with Rukmini Banerjee also highlighted the significance of Pratham’s mission to empower underprivileged individuals through vocational training and literacy programs. Her deep commitment to improving the lives of young learners left an indelible mark, inspiring participants to contribute to the cause of education and social change in meaningful ways. If you or someone you know would like to know more about the Pratham Youth Summer Program, please send us an email at [email protected].
Subash Pereira: An inspiring champion of leadership and learning
Subash Pereira, a dedicated and longstanding supporter of Pratham, goes above and beyond the role of a typical donor. His journey with Pratham began in 2008 when he felt inspired to step up and volunteer for the organization. When asked about his motivations to volunteer, he shared, “A lot of people would like to help, but either do not have the information or don’t know an organization they can trust. I wanted to take Pratham’s message to more people.” As his commitment to Pratham grew, so did his involvement. In 2009, Subash joined the board of our Boston Chapter. He was later appointed as Pratham Boston’s Vice President and, in a testament to his dedication and leadership, became Co-President of the chapter in 2022. Subash’s passion for supporting Pratham manifests in various ways. When asked about his message to those considering supporting Pratham, he emphasized, “If you believe that India’s path to progress is through education, then Pratham is an effective and efficient organization to achieve that goal. Having seen the organization working on the ground and the dedicated staff and volunteers, you can be sure that your contribution will have the highest impact it can achieve.” This summer, Subash spearheaded the Seeing is Believing: Pratham Youth Summer Program once again. Our Youth Summer Program is an opportunity for young people aged 16-19 to experience Pratham’s learning programs firsthand in Aurangabad, India. Here he recaps his personal history with Pratham and shares more about his time in India. What is one of your personal Pratham highlights? I met Madhav Chavan, Pratham Co-Founder and President, for the first time in 2008. Hearing him articulate the findings of the ASER survey made me realize how dire the learning need is in India. This was reinforced by a visit to a Pratham project in Bombay and seeing the enthusiasm of the children to learn even in less than ideal circumstances. What motivated you to support Pratham? I realized I was very lucky to have access to quality education as a child and the fact that more than half of India’s children do not have that opportunity. I hope my support to Pratham will help India achieve an informed and educated citizenry. The Pratham Youth Summer Program was an initiative we began running in 2018. Can you tell us more about the program? The Program started as a way of introducing the children of donors to the cause their parents support. Most of the youth were either born in the USA or lived most of their lives in the USA. They did not have much exposure to India, especially rural India and the challenges there. After the first two years it was interrupted by COVID, but we still had enquiries about the program. Hence we decided to relaunch it this year. The program introduces our youth to the challenges faced by children and youth in India and I hope some of them will become Pratham Ambassadors and future supporters. Our strongest supporters are donors who have visited a project in India and seen the effective work of Pratham. I hope with this two week immersion, the campers will be effective messengers. What were some of the standout highlights from this year’s program? The highlight of the program would be the resilience shown by the campers to go ahead and achieve their goals, in spite of the hurdles they faced. All of them were working in an environment very alien to what they were used to. We had a few cases of stomach bug; there was a conjunctivitis outbreak in one village, which meant the loss of two days of preparation. But the campers persevered and overcame this, the monsoon and the language barrier to put up their skits, dance, musical program and art exhibition. It was gratifying to see teens and younger kids from totally different backgrounds connect with each other and bond. What impact do you believe the program had on the participants? The campers came back with a firsthand knowledge of the education needs in India and a better appreciation of their own circumstances, as they were exposed to the trying environment in which the children and youth of India have to overcome in order to get an education. Many of them expressed an interest in continuing their involvement with Pratham, especially by talking about their experiences with their chapters and teaching the vocational trainees by Zoom on an ongoing basis What lessons did you personally learn from overseeing the Pratham Youth Summer Program? Leading this program reintroduced me to the need in India for education and skilling. Also the setback to education because of the COVID pandemic. If we don’t want India’s demographic dividend to turn into a demographic disaster, we need to double our efforts to make Indian children and youth ready for gainful employment. Why is the Pratham Youth Summer Program so important? Very few of Pratham supporters get the level of exposure to the programs as these youth did in the two weeks. They had hands-on experience in both the primary education and the youth skilling programs. I hope the various chapters in the USA will be able to leverage this experience by having them speak at the galas or salons and convey to our supporters the excellent work Pratham does for India and the need to increase those efforts. Thank you, Subash! If you or someone you know would like to know more about the Pratham Youth Summer Program, please send us an email at [email protected].
CAMaL Ka Camp: Turning learning into an amazing adventure
Language and math skills are the magic keys that transform a child’s world to one of learning and possibility!
SoBa Dosti’s Festival of Colors supports Pratham USA
Last weekend, SoBa Dosti hosted a fantastic Festival of Colors event at the South Barrington Conservancy near Chicago, Illinois. It was a day filled with fun activities including a one-mile walk, Holi color celebrations, and a lively gathering featuring local vendors, food and drink stations and dancing! The highlight of the event was the tossing of the Holi color powder, but this event was about more than just celebration—it was also an opportunity to make a difference. All the proceeds from the day were generously donated to Pratham USA. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team at SoBa Dosti and Susan Patel from the Pratham Chicago Chapter for making this incredible day possible. Check out the full album of photos from this fun day of celebrations here!
Changing Lives with Pratham: A conversation with Darel D’Souza
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Darel D’Souza, a passionate and long-time supporter of Pratham USA, to delve into his incredible journey of involvement and the deep personal impact Pratham has had on his life. For nearly two decades, Darel has remained steadfast in his dedication to Pratham, playing an integral part in their mission to provide quality education to children and young people in India. From his early days as a volunteer at the University of Houston’s Pratham chapter to his current role as the Head of Pratham Houston Gala Volunteers, Darel has witnessed firsthand the life-changing outcomes brought about by Pratham’s work. In this candid interview, he shares his personal experiences, special moments, and hopes for the future, offering insight into the transformative power of supporting Pratham. How did you first get involved with Pratham USA? At the University of Houston! I was volunteering at the International Students orientation fair where I was helping new students to get acquainted with the University. Pratham@UH had recently started that semester and had an information booth at the fair. Deepti Vyas had introduced me to Pratham and invited me to their first meeting. The campus group was comprised of three members at the time but it grew to be one of the most popular and impactful organizations on campus over the years. I had the opportunity and honor to also attend Pratham@UH’s 10 year anniversary to witness all the accomplishments. How long have you been a Pratham supporter? I have been supporting Pratham since 2004. My team of volunteers have delivered and taken part in an array of supporter events over the years including: Art2Educate, Story writing workshops, Pratham Blackboard, Badminton Competitions, Bake Sales and annual Pratham Young Professional Karaoke Fundraisers. For the past ten years, four to six Pratham supported Mysore schools have been sponsored financially – we also exchange handmade Diwali cards and do video chats. Last June, I also started the English Story Reading program where volunteers in the United States connect with students in the Mysore schools via Zoom and read virtually. This has helped the students to not only improve their reading but also gain confidence in speaking English. Can you share a personal Pratham highlight? My first visit to a Pratham Balwadi in Mumbai. I was met by a Pratham coordinator who escorted me through the Dharavi slum to a small shack belonging to an ‘istri walla’ (someone who irons clothes). Every morning he opened up his home/work for the kids in Dharavi to be schooled by Pratham teachers. At 8:00 a.m. sharp, excited pre-school kids rushed in and sat on the floor eager to learn. Some didn’t even have a shirt on their back but their eyes lit up every time a question was asked. Every time I volunteer for Pratham, I am reminded of this highlight and how my efforts will continue to give those kids a chance of a brighter future. What is your message to those considering supporting Pratham? Access to quality education is a powerful human right that I believe every child should have access to. By supporting Pratham, you make a direct impact! Every time I meet or hear about a Pratham student or success story, I know that I have played some role in making that happen. Through Pratham, I have been blessed to meet like-minded and selfless volunteers – these are people I am proud to call my family. I hope through your support you get to experience that as well. It is profound. Can you describe Pratham in three words? Effective, Impactful, Community What do you still hope to achieve through supporting Pratham? To one day meet the goal of ‘Every Child in School and Learning well’.
Pratham USA National Board announces new chairperson
After 6 years of serving as the chair of Pratham USA, I informed the board late last year that I would like to step down and we should transition to a new chair. I am delighted to announce that the board unanimously and enthusiastically elected Dhiren Shethia as the new Chair, effective April 1, 2023. Dhiren has been a longtime supporter of Pratham and currently serves on the Pratham National Board. He is a past president of the Pratham Houston chapter. His full bio can be seen here. Dhiren shares the vision of a bright future for Pratham and under his seasoned guidance, we will continue to build on the strong foundation to realize that vision. I would like to take this opportunity to express my utmost gratitude to all members of the board and that of Pratham’s leadership team for all their help over these years. It has been my utmost privilege to work with these distinguished group of individuals to serve the children of India and help realize Rukmini and Madhav’s vision. I want to thank the chapters and the staff for their exceptional dedication to Pratham’s mission: every member contributes to make Pratham a force for social good. As we move onward and upward, please join me in welcoming Dhiren to this new position. Here are some quotes from members of the leadership team at Pratham, reflecting on the transition. The Chair-Elect also shared his thoughts as he moves into this new role. “On behalf of the entire Pratham team in India, I would like to convey my gratitude to Deepak Raj for his unstinting support. Deepak has led our teams from the front. For the next innings, we welcome Dhiren Shethia as the leader of Pratham USA. He has already proven himself to be a strong pillar of Pratham USA’s effort with large donors and corporations. We look forward to working closely with him to take Pratham’s journey to the next level.” – Rukmini Banerji, Chief Executive Officer, Pratham Education Foundation “I want to thank Deepak for his visionary leadership. I feel very privileged to take on this role at such an exciting time for Pratham. We are clearly on a growth trajectory. I am determined to see our mission continue to have a transformative impact in India and beyond. I look forward to continuing to work with fellow Board members and the world class team on-the-ground and in Pratham USA.” – Dhiren Shethia, Chair-Elect, Board of Directors, Pratham USA “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deepak for his leadership. Under his guidance, Pratham has grown both in terms of size and scope, has professionalized its approaches and developed innovations for impact. Dhiren’s expertise and commitment have been apparent over the years. He demonstrated exemplary leadership for Pratham as we navigated the early days of the pandemic. I look forward to furthering our mission under Dhiren’s visionary leadership.” – Manisha Bharti, Chief Executive Officer of Pratham USA and Global Executive
