Conducting session on Eco Brick with the students of class XII in Tri – Jyoti School
Session on Eco Brick with the children of Bourgandi Nepal Children Home
Most of the localities in Kathmandu is seen littered with plastic and all other types of waste. This is due to the poor waste management system and lack of awareness. GFF Helps has been conducting sessions on plastic waste
management with the children of Shree Bal Kumari Basic school, Tri -Jyoti School and Bourgandi Nepal children home in order to generate awareness and intending that the children learn from these sessions and pass on the knowledge to their peers and parents. Children have been engaged in making Eco Bricks from the discarded plastic waste in order to turn into something useful later on.
With the help of such sessions, children have been able to understand how to focus on reducing waste, reuse bags in order to avoid single use plastics and not to burn plastic in the open roads which in turn results in damaging effect on human health. The children have been able to understand how plastic has affected us in everyday life. In order to stay healthy and live a long life, it is necessary to take care of our environment which in turn affects the whole ecosystem.
Joe FisherEco Brick- Environmental Project with Schools and Children’s Home
To improve the reading skills and vocabulary of the village kids, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka planned to build a Mobile Library. By reading story books with the village kids we plan to improve their interest in the language and improve their reading skills.
Every week we engage with them and share books and ideas. It helps to improve their awareness of the English Language.
In order to collect books for the Mobile Library, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka organized a book donation drive for the SANASA Campus staff and the undergraduates. The book donation drive was held for the first week of June. With the support of the SANASA staff and undergraduates, GFF could collect 150+ story books for the Mobile Library. Nowadays conducting at Buruluppa Sanasa Society, Kegalle, and Ekiriyagala Sanasa Society, Kegalle.
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ENGLISH FOR VILLAGE
Excessive dependence on the mother tongue, reluctance or shyness to talk and read in English, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of confidence are the major challenges students face in Sri Lanka. Sustained access to meaningful learning that has value is critical to long-term improvements in productivity. There seems to be a disparity between Colombo and the rest of Sri Lanka in terms of English proficiency, thus, there are fewer career opportunities for a student/young professionals who do not develop their English proficiency.
The Sri Lankan partner organization of the Sanasa campus and Center for Cooperative and Community Studies as branches of the SANASA movement have long-standing experience and roots in rural and vulnerable communities that would benefit from a free English learning facility amidst the economic crisis of the country. Among eight thousand primary societies, Ekiriyagala Sanasa Society was selected for the project. Ekiriyagala Sanasa Society was involved in the English For Village Project in 201.
In order to build the confidence and improve the interest in the language of children in Ekiriyalaga and nearby villages, English classes were started on the 17th of May. Because of the instability and civil unrest of the country the English classes were started virtually. A resource person is conducting the sessions for primary students of the village. In the initial sessions, we focus on practicing tongue twisters and enjoying rhymes. Primarily it is to improve their interest in language studies. Teachers play a significant role in motivating students the learn a second language.
The resource person is Mrs. Reshani Tamasha who is a postgraduate of the University of Peradeniya. She is an award-winning Toastmaster in the Kegalle Toastmasters’ club. She is based in Kegalle therefore, it is easy to contact and coordinate the face-to-face sessions.
Joe FisherGFF SRI LANKA CONNECT DOTS WITH STORIES AND BOOKS
FELICITATION OF OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF SOGG LEARNING CENTRES
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I am really happy that I got 83% in my board examination. Had it not been for the teacher’s guidance and dedication, I would not have scored well.’
Smriti Rai,
Bong.
‘It is important to hold such felicitation programs, because it will encourage not only the students but also parents. They will know the value of education and in this way, there will be zero drop-out rates. Thank you for recognizing the hard work of children and teachers.’
GFF Helps India has been working in tandem with the SOGG Open Learning and Information centres of Bong, Chibbo and Pudung since the past two years. The areas of collaboration have been in the field of education, health, sports, livelihood, providing awareness among many others. In the field of education, the SOGG Learning centres provide free tuition classes to students with the aim of reducing drop-out rates in the villages.
Every year, the students of class 10 and 12 appear for board examinations- The scores achieved in these exams are considered very important for getting into universities, professional courses or training programs and other occupations. The teachers of the respective centres guide the students in preparing for the examination for a minimum period of one year.
This year, the students who had appeared for the board examination from SOGG Learning centres of Bong, Chibbo and Pudung did excellently well. Most of the students are first generation learners. Despite the challenges of attending classes online; their hard work, teacher’s dedication and parent’s support have reaped good fruits. Thus, to acknowledge and honour the students for their outstanding academic performance, GFF Helps Representative in collaboration with the staff of SOGG centres felicitated the students in the presence of the parents as well as executive members of managing committee of their respective villages.
As a follow up of the felicitation program and based on need assessment, GFF Helps representatives- Melissa & Nikita will thus be organizing a career guidance program/ career counseling session for the students in the forthcoming days.
The lack of knowledge related to first aid is identified in the staff and the undergraduates of the SANASA Campus. It is necessary to have the knowledge to act accordingly in an emergency and to have an understanding of how to act with limited resources. Available knowledge of staff and students to respond to an emergency is scarce. Due to the economic crisis of the country, there is a shortage of fuel and medical supplies. By providing the First Aid training to the staff and the undergraduates, we are planning to uplift their health and hygiene capability to navigate situations with limited supplies.
In order to address this issue, a Health and Safety training initiative was initiated by GFF Sri Lanka on June 07, 2022 at Uththamavi Hall, SANASA Campus. Fifty beneficiaries actively participated in the session. Ms. Shamalee and Ms. Nimani from Red Cross society, Kegalle conducted the introductory First Aid Training.
The strong positive feedback from the participants reflected the importance of the knowledge transferred to them.
ntroduction to First Aid included:
Basic life support (CPR)
Management of wounds, bleedings and shocks
Treatment of Hypoxia and burns
Fractures and sprains
Poison and snake bites
Medical emergency procedures
Casualty lifting and transportation were included in the training
Farmers-Training program
Currently, the farming community is experiencing an enormous number of challenges due to the economic crisis Sri Lanka is facing. Micro scale domestic agro industries (industry connected with agriculture) are facing issues especially with importing agro chemicals and finding a market. By providing them agriculture and agro economics subject matter expertise, we are planning to develop their capability. Through the knowledge they gain, beneficiaries will have capacity to improve the production and become more competitive in the market.
To improve the livelihoods of selected pepper farmers from Ekiriyagala SANASA cooperative society, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka implemented a farmers training program in Ekiriyagala village. The farmers in Ekiriyagala and nearby villages are the beneficiaries of the program. Sixteen pepper farmers participated in the session. Ms. Indika from the Export Agriculture Department, Kegalle conducted the session free of charge.
These products have the potential to be further improved to meet export quality standards through further assistance. As Sri Lankan spices have a high brand reputation in the international markets, these farmers could be able to export their products directly or indirectly through a broker.
Farmers training program farmers + Ekiriyagala Sanasa employees
Farmers Training Program
Book Donation Drive and Mobile Library
To improve the reading skills and vocabulary of the village kids, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka planned to build a Mobile Library. By reading story books with the village kids we plan to improve their interest in the language.
In order to collect books for the Mobile Library, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka organized a book donation drive for the SANASA Campus staff and the undergraduates. The book donation drive was held for the first week of June. With the support of the SANASA staff and undergraduates, GFF could collect 150+ story books for the Mobile Library.
This program was initiated in Ekiriyagala village as a part of the English for Village program on 08 June 2022. The kids in Ekiriyagala and nearby villages gathered at Ekiriyagala SANASA cooperative society to read story books. Even Though the first step started with Ekiriyagala village, we plan to expand the program to the other SANASA cooperative societies as well. As the local partner organization SANASA has long standing experience and roots in rural communities, through that, GFF HELPS Sri Lanka can reach to the vulnerable rural communities easily with support of SANASA movement.
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“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life”
English for Village
In order to build the confidence and improve the interest on the language of children in Ekiriyalaga and nearby villages English classes are continued. Focus of this project is to improve the English skills of the village kids by monitoring each kid personally.
Due to the limited facilities and crowded classrooms teachers at school can not focus on each kid separately. Therefore, a program conducted for free of charge is a precious opportunity for them.This program is conducted by an English tutor, Mrs. Tamasha at Ekiriyagala SANASA cooperative society for the kids in Ekiriyagala and nearby villages. The number of kids is increasing day by day and they are actively participating in the sessions.
Joe FisherSri Lanka empowering communities through trainings
OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR THE ATI VILLAGE IN MALAY, AKLAN
The level of sanitation and good hygiene practices among indigenous people is low. They survive through the old ways of living that may not be effective today. Red Cross Philippines in coordination with the Aklan Trekkers spearheaded a program about hygiene that will help the indigenous people of Aklan called Atis or Aetas. GFF HELPS PH Team was invited to join the program. We travelled for four hours from Kalibo town to reach the headquarters of Aklan Trekkers in Malay town. We met more volunteers from other groups and helped them prepare the groceries and hygiene kits. The Aetas of Malay, Aklan is thriving in its mountainous part, so we have to trek for almost three hours back and forth. These hardworking people helped us with our loads. They listened intently to the lecture of Red Cross Representatives and received hygiene kits after. They also ate the foods that the volunteers prepared for them. We are so happy to see the smiling faces of the Aetas. Their gratitude and warm welcome were enough for us. These programs made them feel that they are not forgotten.
“Improving the well-being of indigenous people by teaching good hygiene practices.”
GFF HELPS PH Team with the volunteers and some members of the Aklan Trekkers and Red Cross Philippines. GFF HELPS PH Team with Aeta youths in the village.
Online Storytelling
“Gives students the power to express themselves through multi- literacy modes.”
“Oh no! There are two monsters already!” one of the kids gasped after reading the passage. They enthusiastically participated in the alternate reading of passages. They are also fascinated with the pictures. They learned that usual fights with siblings will always be resolve with empathy and good conversation. It is not the first time that they relate with the story. Our stories were carefully chosen to suit the age of the kids. We always make sure that it is relatable and fun. At the end of each session, we always have a recap of the story and reiterate the good values portrayed.
The kids relate to the story “How to Tame a Monster?” which talked about a usual fight between siblings and how it was resolved.
Reading Workshop & Mobile Library
Stifhany and LP together with Barrera siblings and their cousins holding their worksheets.
We started the first session of the Reading Workshop with Barrera siblings and their cousins. This small group of kids was gathered by Mrs. Karen De Juan, an association member. Two of these kids were her sons. All of them are preschoolers and need an ample amount of guidance and patience. During our next visit, we prepared printed worksheets from educational websites. The worksheets target the writing and artistic skills of the kids while learning about numbers and counting. Mrs. Karen and other mothers were grateful for the regular visit that we do for their kids. She said that it is a good break for the kids instead of playing outside the whole day.
“Enhancing the opportunity of access to library resources.”
“Engaging students in authentic reading experiences”
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Stifhany and LP together with Kalibo Bikers Rally doing the School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting on June 13, 2022 in Sigcay Elementary School, Sigcay, Banga, Aklan
School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting
The Brigada Eskwela (helping one another) is an activity led by the Department of Education (DepEd) where everyone in the school community works together to prepare schools for the opening of classes.
This led the GFF HELPS Philippines Team to initiate this Community Project: School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting Program in Sigcay Elementary School, prepared all the necessary documents and other materials and collaborated with the officers and members of the Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) to maximize the work and cleaning activity. The said activity will later benefit the pupils of Sigcay Elementary School since the leafy vegetables called Sweet Potato Vines are rich in iron and fiber and will later bear nutritious root crops. This will later harvested by the pupils for the opening of school year.
Our gratitude to Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) for joining the GFF HELPS Philippine Team’s Community Project in Sigcay Elementary School, Sigcay, Banga, Aklan, Philippines.
As known to all, the Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) is a group of youth, government employees, government officials, professional and private individuals headed by the group’s President, Hon. Kobe Abet Magsisi, and Vice President, Mr. Phil Melgarejo, followed by the rest of the officers and members, who bike around the Panay Island – where Aklan is located – for physical health awareness, bike-touring, volunteering in charities and doing ride-for-a-cause programs and community projects.
It is good and advantageous in our part to communicate, gather different organizations, and involving them in these kinds of works to improve camaraderie and networks between the GFF HELPS Team and different organizations in Aklan.
“Doing charity works to schools to help the future Filipino children.”
Lady Peace
GFF Helps Representative
“Helping the community through networks and connections to organizations”
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Joe FisherOutreach, connect, learn and grow – PHILIPPINES
ADDRESSING PARENT CHILD RELATIONSHIP & MENTAL HEALTH
BONG, CHIBBO & PUDUNG
KALIMPONG
The pandemic that lasted for more than 24 months has had dramatic changes in the lives of families- parents and children alike. GFF Helps representatives felt the need for a session that would help promote healthy socialization as well as support effective behavior of children and families. Ms. Dechen Y. Bhutia, a psychologist at Army Public School Kalimpong facilitated the session. The main aim of the session was:
to help parents understand their own roles and responsibilities
to maximize positive outcome for children and their families
to help parents understand their children’s individual needs and development
The target group for the session were parents of Bong, Chibbo and Pudung villages, that was held on the 13th of May, 19th of May and 20th of May respectively. The session was rewarding as many doubts were cleared and clarifications made.
“I really enjoyed guiding the students well and they have done well. We had a good exposure. Thank you for organizing the event.” Milan Bardewa, Coordinator and teacher, Team Chibbo.
An inter centre quiz competition was held in Chibbo for the students of Bong, Chibbo, Kameshi and Pudung in the month of March 2022. The aim of hosting the quiz competition was to evaluate the knowledge of the students- academic as well as beyond academics. Students from class 7, 8 and 9 took part in the competition- and their knowledge was tested from 4 fields namely- general knowledge, sports, history and geography.
Ms. Lisa and Mr. Anthony Thocker attended the event as Chief Guests
The participants had well prepared as they had been guided well by their respective centre teachers. The event was moderated by GFF Helps Representative Ms. Melissa Namchu and made the session interactive, so that the students are not intimidated but to further build their confidence. Questions about Kalimpong were also asked for the students know about their community and society. The first place was grabbed by Team Pudung, followed by Chibbo, while Bong and Kameshi were the second runner’s up. Ms. Lisa and Mr. Anthony Thocker attended the event as Chief Guests and were impressed by the knowledge that the students possessed. They also shared message to the students. This one day event was rewarding to the students as well as their mentors.
Prizes ready for distribution
“Our team thoroughly enjoyed the competition. Our teacher guided us well. Next time we will stand first!” Lyang Ong, Participant, Team Pudung.
English for Village Manager and Assistant Manager of the society
As the second phase of the English for Village
project we plan to conduct classes for school
children in Akiririyagala village. In 2019, the first
phase of the project, the classes were conducted by
undergraduates of SANASA campus. However, in the
first level of the second phase project, we are
planning to get support from a third person because
the face to face lectures are not started in the
SANASA campus yet. In the second level of the
project we plan to let undergraduates involved with
the project. It is beneficial for undergraduates as well
to improve their teaching and learning skills.
Classes can be held in the SANASA Cooperative
society building and they will help to find a resource
person to conduct the classes.
With Dr. W. Jayasundera, GFF Sri Lanka Representative Hasini Athauda visited Akiriyagala Sanasa Society and met the manager of the society to further discuss the project.
SBP Closing ceremony with GFF Helps advisor Mr. Tharaka Munidasa
GFF HELPS Sri Lanka in collaboration with Global Shapers Kandy Hub and SANASA Campus conducted a three month long career guidance and capacity development programme where weekly workshops were conducted for 18 undergraduates from SANASA Campus. These workshops covered 16 modules aimed to equip the participants with 21st century skills and employability skills which will greatly enhance their chance of landing better jobs after the completion of their academic programme.
MODULES
01: Discovering yourself
02: Mental Wellbeing
03: Confidence building and language proficiency
04: Career Guidance
05: CV Building
06: LinkedIn
07: Interviews/Networking/Etiquette
08: Email etiquette/Meetings/ presentations
09: Work life balance/stress management/planning
10: Digital Literacy
11: Digital skills
12: Financial Literacy
13: Responsible Citizenship
14: Responsible Global Citizenship
15: Leadership & Team building/treasure hunt
16: Healthy Living
SBP Closing ceremony
Beneficiary feedback
SBP Certificate of Achievement
SBP Certificate of Participation
This insightful programme marked an end on March 19, 2022 on virtual platform with an evaluation from Global Shapers Kandy Hub, Comments from GFF Sri Lanka and SANASA Campus and beneficiary feedbacks. For certificate distribution we have selected 6 achievers and 7 participants through their performances and attendance. The performances of all the beneficiaries will be further evaluated.
Paarticipants and GFF Helps India team in Kamshi, Kalimpong
On the 8th of March 2022, GFF Helps India organized International Women’s Day celebration in Bong, Kamshi, Pudung and Chibbo villages. The programs were held in collaboration with the SOGG L&I Centres in their premises. Women of the respective villages were felicitated by the staff of SOGG and GFF Helps. Cakes, sweets and snacks were provided to the participants.
GFF Helps India team took part in the Bong and Kamshi village’s celebration. Apart from the informative session on International Women’s Day, a fun session for the women was organized where they sang and danced. The women were dressed up in saree (traditional outfit) especially for the occasion. Women of these four villages are mostly homemakers and engage in farm based activities. Their lives revolve around their children and family. They rarely have time to go out for their houses for leisure. Therefore this program provided them time and space to celebrate and rejuvenate themselves.
The main aim of the program was to create a platform for women of the village to come together and celebrate womanhood and their contribution towards their society.
Women of Chibbo interacting with each other during the Women’s Day Celebration
Women in Bong enjoying their dance session
One of the women participants in Bong village said that “Thank you so much for organizing the program and making this day special for us”.
Joe FisherInternational Women’s Day Celebration with GFF Helps India
