English Speaking Course - a window to a new world

Darren Alvares & Alisha Menezes from New Zealand – conducted a 18 module English speaking Course which commenced on the 26^th March, 2014 and concluded on the 12^th April, 2014. The syllabus was developed as per the volunteers – Darren Alvares and Alisha Menezes based on the topics prepared by English Edge. The presentations have been prepared by the volunteers which are interactive sessions with the students and work assignments. On the last day a test was conducted to assess the student’s comprehension and ability to converse. Certificates were distributed to all who actively participated in the course and completed the curriculum with a minimum of 50 % attendance. 

Type of Students	Timings	Students	Total hours per day	Class in a week	Duration of the course
Xth to XII Std Students	10.30 to 11.30am	24	1 hour	6	18 Sessions
IV Std Students	11.30 to 12.30pm	24	1 hour	6	18 Sessions
Women	3.00pm to 4.00pm	28	1 hour	6	18 Sessions
Men	4.00m to 5.00pm	16	1 hour	6	18 Sessions

Getting the spoken English Edge...with Alisha (Volunteer)

 Getting the spoken English Edge...with Alisha 

(a Volunteer from New Zealand)

A volunteer from New Zealand named Alisha Menezes commenced a 20 session 'Basic English Speaking Course for three groups of participants on the 26th March, 2014 at Swajan Jagruti Kendra.  





1. Students from the Xth and XII Stds, 
2. Women 
3. Men 









The Course has been developed by her based on an outline shared by English-Edge. 

More information will follow on the participation of the students as the days progress.

Government Departments access Swajan Jagruti Kendra Resources

CDPO referring to Library Books

One of the goals of the Swajan Jagruti Kendra (SJK) is the put the resources at the service of the community and all affiliate Government Departments to utilize the available facilities. The CDPO of Mhasala Taluka visited SJK along with 21 Anganwadi workers from a beat (area). 

Anganwadi Workers access Library Books

CDPO & Anganwadi workers explore ECD Section

Prasad the Cluster Head of Mhasala for Swades along with his team have been currently exploring possible partnership with PRIDE India with a focus on their early childhood center capacity building options along with BATU for certification and the CDPO for official government permission to organize 24 sessions over the next six months for at least 20 Anganwadi workers of one beat under the READ India's government approved program from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 

Computer Masti - A great plan for the Students this Summer!

Riyali has been working hard to brush up her acquired Computer Skills to equip herself for getting the various levels of Computer Classes started. Swades Staff - Prasad, Amol and Cletus met up with Riyali and Deepti from the Education Vertical to plan for integrating Computer Masti programme Level 1 into the basic Computer Classes. 

The various target groups for whom this programme was planned was for Primary School Children, Xth Std Students, XII Std Students, Women and Men. Deepti would be training Riyali over the next 8 days on the Computer Masti programme and consequently Riyali would roll out the programme simultaneously for Primary School Children and the Xstd batches. 

Similarly for the women the basic component would be weaved into the six months course that would earn the participants a certification as per the NMEW programme of the Government. 

Celebrations - Holi

Holi is an important festival to Hindus. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna(February/March), (Phalgun Purnima). The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring.

In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. Holi festivities mark the beginning of new year to many Hindus, as well as a justification to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and accumulated emotional impurities from past.

It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of Holika. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit, known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Little Holi. People gather near fires, dance and sing. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated. Children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (Gulal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while elders tend to smear dry coloured powder (Abir) on each other's face.

Visitors to homes are first teased with colours, then served with Holi delicacies, desserts and drinks.After playing with colours, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, visit friends and family. 

Cashew Processing - A Sustainable Enterprise

Today the Library Management Committee (15 members) met together with Swades Team  - Rajesh Jain,Nicola, Prasad, Amol and Interns to discuss the plan for developing the READ India supported Sustainable Enterprise on 'Cashew Processing'. Mr. Ramdas Khamgaokar on behalf of the LMC signed the MOU with Mr. Sunil Nimre the owner of the Cashew Processing Unit. 

A complete business plan was discussed in detail as presented by Mr. Dudhsagar (Intern) and Mr. Rajesh Jain, Director of Livelihood. 








LMC members actively participating in the discussion on the sustainability of the plan. 







The owner of the Cashew Processing Unit - Mr. Sunil Nimre.







Shri Samartha Cashew Industries









The various steps and machinery involved in Cashew Processing

Cashew Seed Variety 
- Vengurla 7


 

In discussion with Cashew growing farmers.  

Women's Day Celebrations at Swajan Jagruti Kendra

The International Women's Day Celebration at Swa-Jan Jagruti Kendra, Khamgaon was celebrated along with LMC members on the 8th March, 2014. 

There were 23 women from various SHGs present who came in from the various hamlets of Songhar, Khamgaon Boudhwadi and Khamgaon Village itself. 

The sewing class women and the staff of the Center too joined in the celebrations. 

The main points of discussion were: 

1. Importance of International Women's Day. 

2. Gender Equality

3. Women Empowerment

4. Importance of the Girl Child.