Visit by Mrs. Javdekar to Our Project Foundation Class at Javdekar Builders Construction Site

 Here is an account of our meetup with Mrs.Javdekar from Javdekar Builders, when she visited their construction site where we take classes. Classes are conducted under Project Foundation at 3 sites of Javdekar Builders. The teacher on the site has created a WhatsApp group for each class, where updates about activities taken in the class are posted. Members of the group include the safety officer on the site, developer, site in charge, DSS teachers, and wife of the builder Mrs. Aditi Javdekar. The daily activities taken in the class are sent to the group. Seeing this, Mrs. Javdekar was all praise for the classes and got curious about the same. So she visited the class, and waited for not just some time but rather spent two hours there. She took information about the classes and appreciated our effort. She also gave us feedback on the same. Such interactions are always motivational for our team and our students. We thank Mrs. Javdekar and their team for taking interest in our classes and sparing time for us.

Exhibition on January 25 on Account of Republic Day

 On the occasion of Republic Day on January 26, 2022, we had organized exhibitions on different subjects in all our classes on January 25. For this, our students gave presentations and the exhibits included our projects, student activities, creative exercises, science experiments, and various activities of Balwadi. All students on the site and their parents visited this exhibition, teachers observed all the exhibits, appreciated them, and asked questions to the students about their projects. Some visitors did not know how we teach the students, about which they got to know, at this exhibition. Our students really enjoyed this initiative, and their parents and our team were happy and proud to see the kids' skills and enthusiasm.

Volunteer Testimonial- Shalaka Vaidya

Working with DSS was a great experience for me. It was for the first time I realized how well technology can help you to get connected with different parts of the world. I always loved working with children. The most fascinating thing I experienced during those story sessions is the curiosity in their eyes and how they establish the connection with the things they experience. This is really valuable to me. All the volunteers working on sites are selfless and so humble and they are doing extremely well. Seriously, I salute all the hard work each and every team member is doing there. I am always happy to tell stories on different topics, different age groups and have discussions over them. 

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. 

Gauri Deshmukh - Testimonial

 I am Gauri. I am 18 years old and a student of CA Intermediate. I have joined the NGO Doorstep School (DSS) for the last half month. The weeks I have spent volunteering with DSS have proven to be an invaluable experience for me. I spent the majority of my time teaching students of first and second grade and sometimes helping mam in other activities like checking other assignments or homework. It’s my first experience but not the last one. Because the kids I met were unquestionably the most eager students that I have ever met. It’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to be able to teach students who are enthusiastic about learning. I am thankful to DSS for this wonderful experience. I promise that whenever I will be able to volunteer, I will definitely turn to DSS.

Now I want to tell you something more about my friends. Not only are

they great to teach but also unbelievably enjoyable to be around, with

beautiful smiles plastered to their faces. They were always grabbing

on to me for assignments and homework. Despite their unfortunate

circumstances, they are the happiest children I’ve ever met. One

aspect I loved about this school, is the teacher who conducts classes

near Z bridge who is giving her 110 % to her work of teaching. I want

to mention her name Usha Pille mam. She is the best. For a teacher it

a challenge to deal with the students, and create interest in them for

studies, and sometimes because of this challenge they may develop a

negative attitude towards them. But the way mam handles these

students is great. Mam is like a mother to the students and they are

also attached to her. Inspired by her approach, I followed her

footsteps and got attached to them. And now they are not only my

students but also my good friends. Mam taught me that, when

students feel respected and supported by us they gain self-confidence

and then they strive to apply new concepts. And according to me, it is

also true that if students can relate learning to their daily lives, it is

more meaningful and long-lasting. Now I want to tell you about the center of this school where l work. This center is near Z bridge and we work from Monday to Saturday while Sunday is a holiday. One more thing I want to add is that here, students are also provided with study and learning materials, charts, and other stationery. This attracts students and creates interest in

learning. It makes the class experience more exciting and better. The

other thing mam uses is different teaching techniques as per the kids’

modes of learning and that helps develop their interest in learning and

boost their confidence too. I just applied the same thing to these

students and that helped me to create a beautiful bond with them.

Mam taught me that every student has a different ability and power

which is why as a teacher we have to first figure that out and then

apply different types of techniques as per the students and develop

their qualities. And one more thing I would like to mention is that I

understand one thing. If you give them respect and love, you will also

get the same sentiment from them.

From students, I learned that each one learns differently and has a

different capacity to process and apply knowledge. This volunteering

has been a fun and easy way to explore my interest and passion. The

second thing that I’ve experienced is that there is no obstacle when

you have a genuine desire to achieve something.

I want to share so many things with you but words may not be enough.

So whenever you have time or want an enriching experience with the

students and the DSS team, you must visit the school.

Thank you so much for everything!!

At last to want to apologize for mistakes in writing if any, as it is the

first time I am sharing my experience about such a professional place

and I don’t know about the format and stuff. Once again sorry for any

shortcomings in my behavior or words. It’s my first time and I am

scared. But I am learning and I am sure, the experience working with

DSS will be helpful to me in many ways throughout my life.

- Gauri Deshmukh

Volunteer

Republic Day Celebration at Anuraj Sugar Factory, Yavat

 Republic Day 2022 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at our various centers, with different activities being conducted for the children. Here is a short account of the 26th January event at Yavat. At our classes at Anuraj Sugar Factory, Yavat, a reading program was conducted for our students on the occasion of Republic Day. This was conducted under the Networking and Nurturing Program for the children of those working on the sugarcane fields. It was great to see the kids' progress with reading skills and their confidence in reading on stage. Kudos to our students who take interest in learning and the volunteers and teachers who groom them.

Our Student Prabhu Chaldwadi Excelled at Boxing

Sports are a huge part of education. Prabhu Chalwadi who stays at Ambedakar Vasti, Dattawadi, Pune, is studying at our Dattawadi CLC in grade 5.

In the district level boxing tournaments held on 14th and 15th December 2021, Prabhu Chalwadi had taken part. He defeated Ishan Mahadik in boxing, and won the gold medal. Now, Prabhu is playing for the Cadet Group.

We are proud of this achievement of Prabhu Chalwadi and wish him all the best for his future tournaments.

Balika Din and Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary Celebration

 January 3 marks the birth anniversary of the Indian educationalist and social reformer, Savitribai Phule. This day is also celebrated as Balika Din On the occasion of this important day, some activities were conducted at different centers of DSS. At Bhimshakti, Nagar, girls came dressed as Savitribai. At Fulenagar, girls came dressed up in sarees and gave information about Savitribai Phule. At Dhanori class, a program was organized in which girls enacted the words of Savitribai. The purpose of all these activities was to introduce our students to the inspiring life and work of Savitribai Phule.