Chotu goes out to play!

Parents' Participation in Children's Education (Supported under CSR initiatives of Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Ltd.)

Chotu’s friends refuse to play with him as his hair is not combed, clothes are dirty and he has not bathed. Chotu then has a bath, wears clean clothes, combs his hair and goes out to play. His friends join him for play which makes him very happy.

Cleanliness is one of the must have habits in all individuals and what better way than to use puppets like Chotu to influence children to get into this habit at an early age.

Parents and children residing in the slum areas and on the construction sites in Kondhwa.  were invited to puppet shows organized with the theme of “cleanliness”. Through these puppet shows, Door Step School aims to inculcate the habit of cleanliness and teach children the importance of hygiene in their day to day life.

The first show was at `Tilekar Vasti’ which emphasized on “dental hygiene”. The reasons for tooth decay, importance of keeping teeth, gums and mouth clean was explained. The need for brushing teeth twice a day was stressed upon. Almost 25 children and 20 parents enthusiastically attended the puppet show.

Another puppet show at construction sites `Shantivan’ and `Corona’ in Kondhwa had. 20 children and 50 parents. The topic here was `Personal Hygiene”.

(Translated from Marathi by: Deepali Kulkarni, volunteer DSS)

Marathon with a Cause

12th September , 2014, 7:00 am  saw over 100 employees from Geometric, Pune taking over the streets of Hingewadi !.
They were participating in a Marathon with a Cause organized by UDAAN, the CSR forum of Geometric, for creating awareness and raising funds for education of migrant children supported by Door Step School, Pune.

Door Step School thanks all geometric employees who participated and UDAAN volunteers who organised this event. !

UDAAN volunteers have been dedicating their time over weekends towards locating and enrolling migrant children living at construction sites in Wakad and Hingewadi areas through Door Step School's Every Child Counts-Citizens' Campaign!.

Contributing to a better India

Indians dream of a India, which is at par with the most developed nations of the world.

Many organisations are working towards a better India. There are numerous issues we need to work on and one of them is educating our people. As it’s only education, that can change the  outlook of an individual.

Door step school (DSS) is one such organisation working towards imparting education to underprivileged children.

As the name suggests, it’s a school just a few steps away from home. DSS has set up various such schools all over Pune for children  coming from underprivileged families.

Right from scouting of location, convincing parents and making them understand the importance of education, encouraging  students to attend school, by  enrolling children in a near by government school and guiding them with academics and soft skills is what DSS does.

With a dedicated staff of over 600 teachers, teaching nearly 5000 students, today DSS has moved a few steps forward in contributing to a better India.

Unfortunately, people for whom the RTE (Right To Education) act was passed are themselves not aware of this act.

DSS through it’s work is not only making them aware of RTE but also making them aware of their rights as children.

Apart from academics, children are taught the importance of sanitation, hygiene and verbal communication skills. Knowledge is imparted in a way that is child friendly with group discussions, plays, music and outdoor visits.

There are many people out there who want to come forward and help these children.

DSS wants such volunteers by providing  them a platform, which welcomes each one of them to be a part of the transformation, for educating every child and empowering them.

Preeti Mallapurkar

(volunteer DSS)