Testimonial by Mrs. Janki Sahu ( Shikshan Mitra at DSS)

My name is Janki Sahu I was Shikshan Mitra till last year. DSS gave me exposure and confidence to talk to children, parents, and school teachers. It helped me build the confidence and now I am working in one if the hospital as machine operator, because of DSS I could step out of community and got encouragement to do job.

Covid-19 Awareness Campaign by DSS at Phuge Vasti⁩

In Phuge Vasti, initially parents were not ready to listen to this information several times. They argued with the team that they were aware of the COVID precautions and care and need not be bothered with the same information. But DSS team members persuaded them in not only actively listening but also following the rules of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. After two months few of the parents asked the staff to start teaching activity for children by using audio resources in the vehicle like COVID -19 awareness activity. They also informed us that after listening to the announcements several times children automatically started to follow the rules.

Covid-19 Awareness drive by DSS Team

Audio resources are one of the useful resources to create public awareness. We decided to apply this in our COVID -19 awareness program in communities. We installed a mike and amplifier in the vehicle and use a computer to play video clips. Team members make sure that the entire community pays attention to the tape. The main objective is to encourage ‘COVID appropriate behavior’ among the people in the worst affected areas. 

We identified key communication pointers related to Covid appropriate behavior like hand hygiene, wearing of a mask, safe distancing, de-stigmatization of disease, dos, and don’ts regarding home isolation, helpline numbers for hospitalization, etc. 

We also informed them of the campaign started by Maharashtra government - My Family My Responsibility "माझे कुटुंब, माझी जबाबदारी”

The vehicle covered 24 communities in PCMC area reaching out to 86 parents and 164 children.

And PMC vehicle covered 34 communities area reaching out to 221 parents and 490 children.

We are using 3 Vehicles (PMC AREA 2 & PCMC AREA 1 Vehicles)

Testimonial by Col. Ashutosh Kulkarni

 I am Col Ashutosh Kulkarni, retired from the Indian Army in 2019 after 23 years of service. 

I came across Door Step School on the Internet and felt touched, primarily because of the Noble Cause that the Organisation is striving for.

When I was just about to start my journey as a volunteer with Door Step School, the Lockdown was imposed due to Covid -19 in Mar this year and it made me wait for nine months to commence with my little contribution with DSS. Since then I am now taking four different small batches of students of Class IV and X.

Having interacted with the staff of DSS and a few students, I do realize that although the wings of Education are spreading there still is scope for further stretching them a little longer and wider. The gravity or the importance of quality learning is yet to mature among the less privileged populace. However, I strongly feel that with our wholehearted and consistent efforts, the situation will keep improving. 

Thank you, DSS for giving me this opportunity.

The Zeal to learn

In the class at Sugar factory, Sonali Bhatane and Suvarna Bhatane of grade 7 attend the classes. Suvarna is attending since the last 3 years while Sonali has joined this year. They are neighbors. They study in class as well as at home.

However, this year, due to Covid19, without much teaching material but with the help of board games, floor games, language activities, also with the use of leaves, flowers, sticks, students were given training on mulakshar (marathi alphabet), words, and maths concepts.

Suvarna and Sonali are taking the effort to teach their siblings and other kids.

In most households there are buffaloes and oxen, hence for most kids, daily work includes making cowdung cakes.

Suvarna and Sonali came up with the idea of teaching letters by writing on cowdung cakes. They trained other kids on the alphabet and words and also took their reading exercise using cow dung cakes. They also took the puzzle game of joining letters to create words.

This shows that if a child has an urge for education, even in unfavorable conditions, he/she continue learning.