May 2023 Updates

Highlights

Childline 1098

EArtH partners with Child line-1098 in three districts. Total children saved by EArtH Child line-1098 in April 2023 is 24. Total children saved by EArtH Child line-1098 to-date is 3607 (without Siddipet) and 4385 (with Siddipet). Please note that EArtH’s childline partnership in Siddipet has ended in March 2023 so we will not be reporting any numbers for Siddipet from now. Please visit main childline page to learn more about this project.

Mobile Addiction Rally

The Mobile Addiction Rally is an awareness program aimed at educating parents and children about the drawbacks of excessive mobile phone usage. The rally was conducted in several villages, including Kasulabad, Jakkapur, Thimmapur, Nizamabad, and Velkatur, on various dates in May 2023.

During the rally in Jakkapur, important community members such as MPTC sir, SMC chairman, and the School Head Master, along with parents and children, attended the event. Children participated by chanting slogans against mobile addiction. Flexies highlighting the disadvantages of mobile phone usage were displayed, and children expressed their commitment to refrain from using mobile phones excessively.

In another program on May 9th, an awareness session with a projector was organized. Village sarpanch, MPTC, and SMC chairman showed their support. Videos depicting the problems associated with excessive mobile phone usage, such as brain issues, eye strain, and other health concerns, were shown to the children. As a result, some children even convinced their parents to restrict their mobile phone usage.

In Kasulabad village, the rally on May 3rd saw the attendance of Mandal Educational Officer Prabhudas sir, Sarpanch Balraj sir, Head Master Venkat Reddy sir, Director Raju sir, parents, and children. Similar activities were conducted, including slogans against mobile addiction and displaying flexies. Parents expressed their determination not to give mobile phones to their children, encouraging them to engage in outdoor activities instead.

On May 11th, a projector program was conducted, and videos were shown to highlight the problems caused by excessive mobile phone usage. The attendance of villagers, parents, and school authorities indicated their positive response and willingness to reduce mobile phone usage.

The rally in Thimmapur on May 10th involved the participation of ANM madam, Asha workers, Anganwadi teachers, parents, and children. Flexies were shown, and the program covered the entire village, creating awareness among the villagers.

In the Nizamabad village rally on May 6th, the Vice MPP, sarpanch, and villagers participated. The rally route covered the main areas of the village, and afterward, the attendees were informed about the issues faced by children due to excessive mobile phone usage. Important precautions to be taken for mobile-addicted children were also discussed.

Lastly, on May 23rd, a rally was conducted in Velkatur, where the sarpanch inaugurated the event. Parents and children took part in the rally, which covered various areas of the village. The sarpanch expressed satisfaction with the awareness rally, and the attendees were enlightened about the problems arising from excessive mobile phone usage.

Summer Camp

Dance Practice, Yoga, Martial Arts & Sports

Summer camps were held in Telangana and Maharastra schools. As part of the summer camp, we organized games, yoga, martial arts, sports and dance.

During the summer camp in Jakkapur, the PET (Physical Education Teacher) named Suresh conducted karate classes twice a week for the children. The karate classes helped the girls learn self-defense techniques and improve their fitness. The children enjoyed learning the karate steps and found it beneficial.

The PETs also organized yoga sessions, surya namaskar (sun salutations), and meditation for the children during the summer. These activities promoted health and fitness among the participants. After the yoga sessions, the children were taught the basics of various games such as Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, running, carrom, and chess. The children had a great time and were happy to be part of the summer camp.

Additionally, a dance master named Sravan taught the children the basics of dance. The children showed great progress in their dance skills after learning the fundamentals. The parents were pleased to see their children engaged in physical activities during the summer camp, which kept them away from excessive mobile phone usage. The dance master also assigned project work to the children, allowing them to explore different ideas.

Both PETs, Suresh and Prashanth, dedicated themselves to practicing games with the children on a daily basis. The main focus was to encourage the children to play games on the ground rather than using mobile phones for gaming. The Mobile Addiction Rally and the awareness videos shown through a projector motivated many children to join the summer camp. Even students from private schools were attracted to the games organized by the PETs. Suresh explained the rules of games such as Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, and running, and practiced them with the children, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Postcards Preparation

During the summer camp, a special initiative was taken to promote sustainability through the preparation of postcards. Each child was provided with four postcards and instructed to draw pictures on the backside. The purpose of these postcards was to encourage the children to send them to their parents, relatives, village officials, or anyone else they wished to communicate with.

The children were also encouraged to inquire about how their grandparents or older generations communicated with their relatives during their childhood. They were prompted to ask about the use of postcards as a means of sharing information and staying in touch. This activity aimed to foster an appreciation for traditional forms of communication and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices.

By engaging in this postcard collection initiative, the summer camp participants were able to learn about the historical significance of postcards and explore alternative methods of communication beyond modern technologies.

Sustainability

Plastic Collection

As part of our sustainability efforts during the summer, we devised a plan to divert children’s attention away from mobile phones. We engaged them in various project activities, one of which involved collecting plastic waste. The children were encouraged to gather plastic items such as single-use bottles, plastic bags, and snack wrappers from their homes and surroundings.

To motivate their participation, we announced recognition for those who collected plastic diligently. First and second prizes were awarded to the children who demonstrated outstanding efforts in plastic collection. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of reducing plastic waste and instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment in the young participants.

Preparation of Carry Bags with Newspapers in Jakkapur

During the summer, we organized a program focused on creating awareness about plastic usage. The children were encouraged to minimize their plastic consumption at home and in their neighborhoods. We prompted them to have conversations with their grandparents about how plastic was not commonly used during their childhood, and instead, they relied on eco-friendly options such as jute or cloth bags.

As part of the program, the children actively participated in preparing carry bags using newspapers. They learned to make these bags and were encouraged to use them in their own homes. By engaging in this activity, the children gained practical knowledge on alternative and sustainable solutions to reduce plastic waste and contribute to a greener environment.

Accomplishments in Entrance Exams

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that children from our adopted villages have secured seats in prestigious educational institutions. In the Gurukula Entrance Exam, 20 children from Arepally school participated, and all 20 of them successfully obtained seats in Gurukula schools. Additionally, two children from Nizamabad also secured seats in Gurukula schools.

In the Model School Entrance Exam, three of our schools achieved remarkable success. Our dedicated volunteers and teachers worked tirelessly with the students, conducting daily practice sessions focusing on the Bit questions. As a result, several children achieved impressive ranks in the entrance exam. From Arepally, we had students securing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th, and 14th ranks at the Mandal level. Likewise, students from Nizamabad secured the 1st, 9th, 29th, 46th, and 88th ranks at the Mandal level. Our children from Kasulabad also performed admirably, securing the 19th, 49th, 66th, 74th, and 100th ranks.

The distribution of model school seats across the villages is as follows: Kasulabad- 5 seats, Nizamabad- 5 seats, and Arepally- 15 seats. We take great pride in the achievements of our children and commend their hard work, dedication, and the support of our volunteers and teachers in helping them attain these remarkable accomplishments.

Ahilyabai Holkar Jayanthi Celebration

The birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, a prominent figure in the Maratha Empire, was celebrated on 31st May. The celebration involved the participation of teachers, villagers, and students who gathered to commemorate the occasion. The teachers delivered a speech about Ahilyabai Holkar, highlighting her significance.

Ahilyabai Holkar, born on May 31, 1725, and passed away on August 13, 1795, was a hereditary noble queen of the Maratha Empire during early-modern India. She played a crucial role in establishing Maheshwar, located in Madhya Pradesh, as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.

Known for her strong leadership, Ahilyabai Holkar defended the Malwa state against invaders and personally led her armies into battle, with Tukoji Rao Holkar serving as her military commander. Additionally, she made significant contributions as a pioneer and builder of Hindu temples, constructing numerous temples and Dharmashalas (resting places for pilgrims) throughout India. Her dedication to temple construction left a lasting impact on the religious landscape of the country.