The Cause

Kids in the Government Schools learn better through Innovative and creative teaching methods. Coming from challenging backgrounds, they are often made to do household work and other domestic work wherein they have to miss the schools to assist their parents in domestic work so as to earn a living and hence to survive. A story is shared here to give you an insight into their lives.

Story of Mohini, Age 7, Class 3

Coming from a community in the Gotalavadi, Katargam Area, Mohini has a keen interest in her studies. Having asked that “what you do in the morning before coming to the Afternoon Government School of her community”, her answer left me stunned!

She replied (with a bright smile), "I help my mother by assisting her in cutting the threads of the sari as a part of finishing. I can manage to finish 3 saris, earlier I could manage only 1 but my skills are better now. I also like to sing baalgeet while I help her. I want to be a good teacher in future"

She is an avid learner and never misses on any learning opportunity, loves to read and write on the black board. Origami is what she loves the most.

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It literally translates as ori (folding) gami (paper). Research has shown that paper-folding, particularly in the elementary school years, is a unique and valuable addition to the curriculum. Origami is not only fun, but it is also a valuable method for developing vital skills.

Educational Benefits of Origami

• Behavioral Skills
• Cooperative Learning
• A Link to Math
• Cognitive Development
• Multi-cultural Awareness
• Community Building

Behavioral Skills

Origami is an example of "schematic learning through repeatable actions". To be successful, the student must watch closely and listen carefully to specific instructions and then carry them out with neatness and accuracy. Here is a case where a student's success is imposed by the activity rather than the teacher. Like group singing, hand games, and dancing, the pleasure comes in recreating the result and sharing it with others. For many students, it engenders a patience that leads pride in one's work, the ability to focus energy, and increased self-esteem.

Funds & Appeal

Alternative to the traditional teaching methods, as a Gandhi Fellow I intervene and learn more about their learning interest and levels very keenly. With a research of over 3 months aided by teachers, HM, Mentors involving over 500+ students from 3 different communities I have learned that through story-telling, the students learn better.

One such technique is
Storytelling + Origami = Storigami Mathematics.

This technique is very effective in helping kids learn better and new concepts manifold.

1. A pack of 20 origami sheets (1 Pack = Rs. 10)

2. 1 Origami (self-learning) craft booklet (1 Booklet = Rs. 10)

3. 1 sticky-tape and 1 craft-scissors (Collectively Rs. 10)

So far I am intervening in 3 Schools with strength of over 1600+ students from classes 1 till 8. My focus for the Storigami workshop would be on students from classes 3, 5 & 7 of the three schools and kids from the community, in the first phase, I wish to target 1000 students, accounting to a total of (1000 x 30 (Cost of 1 Kit) = 30000) ) And Rs. 2000 for extra kits and packaging. For I wish to distribute kits to the teachers from respective classes.

Together we can provide a better learning opportunity to the students who lack the extra creative means to learn and imagine their own world of Innovation.