“Akanksha has taken me forward, because now I am in 11th Std. I know how to speak in English, how to work together to help each other and to always think positive.”
Madhuri Shelar, 16

We can and we will make our Center better than the best!

 

Team:
Teachers: Dimple Didi and Caroline Didi
Education Co-ordinator: Priya Didi
Social Worker: Shweta Didi
Volunteers: Amrita Didi, Chandrika Didi, Fiona Didi, Jamini Didi, Kinnari Didi, Manjari Didi, Rakesh Bhaiya, Uma Didi, Sameer Bhaiya and Madhuri Didi
Helper: Sindhu Didi
Sponsor: Aditya Birla Group
Our Goals for our children are:
  1. For each person to use their OWN strengths to their full capacity
  2. For each person to take responsibility for themselves, their education and their future
  3. To always work as a team to overcome obstacles.
Here are some of the many things we are learning:

  1. Empowerment
  2. Time management
  3. Grammar
  4. Spoken and written English
  5. Literature Circles
  6. Folk Tales
  7. Debates
  8. Communication skills
  9. Math

Our Favorite Thinking Question
In reference to Independence Day, What does Independence mean to you?
“I want freedom for girls and boys of 14 years to vote to choose their Ministers. Girls should have the freedom to get married whenever they want and freedom to worship any God. Independence to go outside wherever I want and independence from my housework.” Priyanka, 16


We, the children, say:

“In Akanksha, I am learning respect and other values. We study formal school English and math on Monday and Thursday. Also, we are learning general knowledge, how to speak English and about careers.” Sunita Khane, 17

“I am learning a lot from Akanksha, which I could not have learned from my school or from my family. I am learning how to behave in society, how to give respect to people and how to value our Didi’s and Bhaiya’s.” Sumeet Gade, 18






Programs and Special Events:
Art, Computer, Drama, Mentor, Art Design Class, and Social Leadership Program
  1. We hosted an Open Day where visitors were able to come see how we learn. They could watch how the song Fame was presented to the class, through a song comprehension. The children wrote sentences about why they would or would not want to be famous themselves!
    ‘Once Upon a Time in Shantipur’, was a musical put on by the students of Akanksha. We had 10 children from our center that were actively participating in the musical. All our children went with enthusiasm and clapped along to encourage the people on stage.
  2. Our children went on a heritage walk through downtown Mumbai.
  3. We saw the movie “Black” and linked the story back to a debate going on in the media regarding discrimination against disabled people in the city of Mumbai.
  4. A special meditation instructor visited the center to discuss the practice of Vipassana Meditation.
    After reading the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we made chocolate.
  5. We visited, an elderly persons home. We spent time sharing conversation and found it fun to use our skills in the kitchen to help prepare rotis.
  6. Our children had a career fair where they researched each career, and prepared a formal presentation with a group on a career of their choice. Lots of visitors from Akanksha and local NGO’s came in and saw plays, posters, costumes and other exhibits on 16 career paths.









Babita Ashok Singh, 16

 

Babita Ashok Singh, 16, goes to Sophia College. Her subjects at college include English, History, Sociology, and Psychology. She has been with Akanksha for 3 years and has been a part of various Akanksha programs including Computer, Mentor and SLP. She has also been a volunteer for younger children during her summer vacation.

Babita comes from Mariamma Nagar. At home she lives with her parents and 3 other siblings. Her older siblings are married but her younger sister also goes to Akanksha. Her father owns a shop and sells food items like “chai” (tea) there.

Fiona Didi says that Babita is extremely hardworking and a very conscientious student. Her knowledge on the subject matter and overall foundation is strong. Her self-esteem is very strong. She is very confident and gets along with all her peers. She always asks questions and is never shy to address any problems because she realizes that help is beneficial and always available. She is definitely well prepared to go out there on her own and is willing to take on any project. “For the Career Fair, she wanted to be involved with the sciences, but I put her in Fashion Technology since nobody was in that group. She took it and did a wonderful job”.

She has got herself a Scholarship to attend Sophia College. She says she wants to be a Social worker when she grows up. Babita says, “I always tell children to join Akanksha, and I help them. I am always helpful.”
Priyanka Kamble


Priyanka Kamble: On the surface one would think she is very assured and calm but underneath that is a young and shy girl who is not very comfortable talking in the presence of many people. But all this has changed thanks to Akanksha and her own efforts to Be The Change!
Priyanka Kamble is 14 years old and has been a part of Akanksha for the last 6 years and that has taught her a lot of things but the foremost has been an increase in her levels of confidence. She lives with her grandparents, parents and 2 younger siblings. Her father is in the police force and her mother is unemployed. A huge concern for Priyanka was her future since her mother is uneducated and her father cannot speak in English. This made her very nervous as she did not know who would provide guidance.
A teacher’s delight, Priyanka brings depth to the class and participates with enthusiasm. She has blossomed considerably since her initial days. Active participation in class gave her a chance to be a part of the Akanksha musical, two years in a row! From having a small role in last years Once upon a Time in Shantipur, to this years challenging role as narrator in Kabir and the Rangeen Kurta, it’s been a long and arduous road. She has managed to achieve all this through hard work and sincerity.
Inspite of all her achievements she has not lost touch with her reality. She wants to be a teacher and give students love and support the way her didis and bhaiyas and Akanksha have given.