Outreach Program: Reaching the Unreached...

 Outreach Program: Reaching the Unreached,
A Philatrophy project on Creative Education for the financially unprivileged rural children,
A Humble project by Volunteers: Students and Faculty Member of Manipal University, Manipal

UdayavaniEnglish.com, Feb 26, 2016, 11:56 AM IST

 Manipal:  About 60 students from the School of Communication (SOC), Manipal University, converge under one roof every Sunday in a batch of 15 each for a cause —Reaching the Unreached.

It is a first of its kind initiative started by the Palette of Design (POD), the Art and Creativity Club of SOC.

The POD sprang into action after a long bout of stagnation. It has, in recent times, successfully managed to etch its contribution to the field of creative expressions inside and outside of the college premises.

‘Reaching the Unreached’ is an educational outreach program geared toward students and the community. Their first initiative started off at the Asha Nilaya Special School and then shifted to CSI Boys Boarding Home in Udupi, which consists of about 40 students aged between six to 14. Through the process of collaboration, the POD students under the guidance of faculty coordinator Dr. Unni Krishanan K and Student coordinator Clifford Chetan Ambler, third year BAJC, use unconventional methods—including dance, drawing, music, crafts and more— to teach the students with positive motivational dialogue, and encourage them to think outside the box about their values and identity.

 Smart Way Of Learning
“Education through fun is what our basic agenda is but in a very carefully channeled manner so that it doesn’t disturb the boarding home children's mainstream studies,” explains Dr. Unni Krishnan. One of the finest contributions are given in 2015 from the POD club is the Outreach Program—this being the first initiative, which they are trying to do for the society coming out of the campus. “It is an individually driven initiative,” says Dr. Unni Krishnan, adding, “Students are voluntarily coming up and asking what they can do for the project and for the kids.”

The outreach Program featuring about 60 students from the School of Communication, make an effort to come every Sunday in a batch of 15 students each. The interesting fact is that irrespective of the geographical boundary or the language or the kind of the difference in the lifestyle the students were absolutely fine to come and be part of the outreach.

“Outreach program has been a joyous break from our usual schedules at college. We come up with different activities to teach the kids here and we end up learning something new for ourselves,” says Nishmitha B, a first-year BAMC student, and a POD member.

After the first few sessions of the outreach Program, the faculty coordinator observed the change in students (both POD and boarding home kids) and how they have been showing an interest—it is then that they decided to have it on a continuous consistent pattern and try to have an experimental research on it, and see what exactly the children at the CSI Boys Boarding Home need and how best the students of communication can give.

There were challenges that they faced all the way—including urban-rural gap and time—however, breaking all of them, teaching education through liberal arts and liberal arts medium—music, drama, games, drawing, dance, visual arts— was their way of taking it forward to give it a liberal perspective.  For example, for the game sessions, traditional games, folk-oriented games, and team oriented games were considered rather than the usual games.

The children were divided into three different age-groups: Beginner, Primary and High School. Within these groups, the POD team, help the kids with diagrams, mathematics, and science and presentation skills. They also teach the children how to talk in public, help them brush up their English language skills, train them to deal with stage fear, etc. One of the major challenges was to break the gap between the children from the semi-rural area and the POD students, who are mostly from urban. But week after week, there was tremendous change observed and the gap was forgotten eventually, says Dr. Unni Krishnan. K

The crust of the entire Program is that the POD students have been successful in helping the children at the Boarding Home learn without knowing it is education.“The idea was to reach out to the unreached, and we were able to achieve this. With this experiment we are ready to go to government school as well,” concludes Dr. Unni Krishanan K.

By Nimmy Merlien Philip                                                                           

Tags: #Manipal #POD #SOC #Communication #ReachingtheUnreached

http://www.udayavani.com/english/news/exclusives/135004/reaching-unreached-beyond-usual-interactions

POD (Palette of Design-Art and Creative Club of School of Communication, Manipal University):

 Palette of Design or POD ‘The Official art and Creative club of SOC since 2009’ is an ISO Certified Photography Club with the tagline “creativity and beyond”.  It offers a platform for artists pertaining to every field including painting, photography, digital art, folk art cultural art forms, and many more. It is a commendable initiative providing a much needed encouragement to budding artists without restricting art to any conventional definition. POD has participated in many independent and collaborated events, many of which have been compiled into their portfolio video which are all available online.

Art draws from inspiration, and one is inspired through experiences. This year POD initiated an Outreach program “Reaching the unreached” a humble creative philanthropy project under which the members reached out to rural and financially challenged children under the care of various NGOs. Stretching beyond boundaries the members have in a span of few short weeks build a strong connect with these children through creative engagement, film screening, readings, folk games and most importantly aiding them in their academics. It was a chain of Teaching and Learning, the symbiotic relationship, and the reward- the smile on their face that inspired us to go beyond. To be able to touch lives and spread joy no matter how small is an ineffable experience and is to be treasured for years on end.

Each year POD holds responsibility for designing and painting the quadrangle in the college campus based on the year’s fest theme. The theme for the 2016 article 19 was Blame it on the Pop giving an opportunity to express our perceptions on popular culture. The team of designers and artists of POD produced an amalgamation of astonishing artwork with detailed painting and spiraling creativity. The making of the quadrangle has been documented and has gone viral on the web.

--------Expert Assessments and Reviews--------

Assessment and Critical Appreciation by Dr. M.S. Murthy:

“Compared to other institutions that I have been experienced with, here at POD@SOC (Palette of Design - School of Communication, Manipal University), technology is blending with creativity. The atmosphere, guidance by expert faculty, inspiration, energy, and teamwork is all perfect. If focused more, the team has all potential to be one of the best of the country. I appreciate the discipline and seriousness of students towards the subject and their attitude is very optimistic. The deep interest of the members must be nurtured which can be implemented in any dimensions of their career. The Peacock: the Installation artwork made of recycling material is a fine example of their creativity and the message for the Nation. The philanthropy project that they are doing to society is a very commendable effort and a good model of service. I appreciate and encourage the team for all their effort and wish them the best. Dream High.”

 Dec 2015.Dr. M.S. Murthy. - Senior Artist and Activist, Chairman, Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy, Govt. of Karnataka.

Appreciation by Warden of CSI Boys Boarding Home:

“The Outreach program has helped the students of our CSI Boys home in academics& co-curricular activities as well. The children are learning new innovative things every week. The focus on creative art & culture is definitely required for young minds to be inspired. Nurturing of special skills is something that the kids don’t receive in their schools.  The Palette of Design Team (School of Communication, Manipal University) has done an outstanding job over the past few months. The outreach program is indeed a very inspiring initiative. The most touching experience is that the CSI students wait anxiously to be with the POD team every weekend to be with them, in spite of the challenge that most POD members aren’t well versed in the local regional language, an ideal example of teamwork”

About CSI Boarding Home Udupi: The Church of South India (CSI) is the union of churches of varying traditions. Since September 1947, the Not for Profit organization has been contributing to society in large. CSI Boarding school Udupi is one of the many such initiatives. The objective of CSI Boys Boarding Home, since 1864, is to provide support to the financially challenged rural community children for their education and development. Currently, the Home has 44 school students.

Dec 2015.Mrs. Claribel Nanny Ambler - Warden In- charge.  C.S.I Boys Boarding Home, K.S.D, Udupi – Karnataka, India.

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POD Annual Report 2014-2016 Launched on 29th April 2016 at KMC, Manipal University

 

Published article on an Art Installation 'Peacock' made of recycle material

Congratulations to all the students who volunteered as a team for this successful project, Special thanks and wishes to each one of you. It wouldn't have been possible without all your support and  compassionate contribution.