The partnership between Pratham Mysore, a community-based organisation promoting the cause of educating children in Mysore district, and Theorem, a leader in creative services, media operations and analytics, is doing wonders in the education of underprivileged children in about 75 villages of T. Narsipur taluk in Mysore district.
Under ‘Education for Empowerment', a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Theorem with Pratham, Theorem's young volunteers have trained Pratham's volunteers, who in turn visit the balwadis in the taluk and teach children on a daily basis.
Thirteen volunteers of Pratham's ‘Read India' campaign from the taluk, who have been working to improve the learning levels of children in the age group of 5 to 10 years (Classes I to V) in villages, have been successfully trained in computer education and spoken English.
Gratis
As part of the ‘Read India' campaign, the village volunteers work outside the village schools and engage children after school hours for two to three hours daily, helping them achieve basic competency in reading and mathematics.
Despite unemployment and poverty, the volunteers have engaged in this programme without monetary compensation.
This campaign is on in 75 villages.
Acknowledging Pratham's work, Theorem joined hands with the organisation in 2010 to provide employable skills to its volunteers, who are motivating and empowering the village children.
Certificates
The first batch of 13 volunteers trained under ‘Education for Employment' has passed out of training. They received their training completion certificates at a function held at Theorem campus here on Friday.
Theorem co-founder and Managing Director Chandrakanth B.N., who gave away the certificates to the volunteers, said: “Village schools are the future of India. Talent needs to be improved with employable skills. Education is the key to their [talented people in villages'] empowerment.”
Mr. Chandrakanth said the volunteers of Theorem had been spending their weekends with the underprivileged children, to aid their education. A centre has been set up in T. Narsipur to provide computer education to Pratham's volunteers. “I think the partnership will bridge the knowledge divide,” he opined.
Pratham Mysore Chief Coordinator Sheshadri explained the ‘Read India' campaign and the initiative with Theorem. A total of 71 volunteers, including college students, had enrolled as volunteers in T. Narsipur taluk, and were training children based on the teaching methodology developed by trustee T. Padmini, he said.
The volunteers of Theorem and Pratham shared their experiences on the occasion.
