I need you to SUPPORT MY RUN at the Mumbai Marathon 2017. I am running the Dream Run (of 6 kilometers distance).

We live in a material world and here, going to school means cramming information at the speed of light.  Another exam after one exam, tuitions after school, homework after classroom notes are real struggles faced by children everywhere. In this rat race, children's social and emotional development usually gets overlooked. This can have an adverse effects on children from low-income communities, who face many problems due to many issues in their community and personal lives. Issues like community violence, or improper waste management, or lack of water in the community. Other instances, children face personal issues like living in a single-parent household, or living with an alcoholic parent, or facing the consequences of living in a house with a very low income. 

While many development programmes are focussed on socio-economic provisioning in schools and/ or curriculum development, Apni Shala takes a tangent in its approach.  Apni Shala has created amazing programmes for the social and emotional well-being of children from low-income groups.  Their programmes are beyond academics! I believe in their programmes because they focus primarily on developing life skills in children. Developing life skills in children during their primary years of learning can be greatly transforming. Such programmes are sure to positively impact the future of children who are beneficiaries at Apni Shala.

These skills imparted to the children enrolled in Apni Shala programmes are taking these back to their communities.  How? Children here have addressed a variety of issues like alcoholism, waste management, sexual harassment of women/ girls, women's education and water management under the guidance of programme facilitators from the organisation. Using experiential learning methods like art, drama and games, Apni Shala helps children nurture better interpersonal and emotional skills in themselves. Their programmes for children have them fix community problems as a way to rediscover their inner selves as decision-makers and active citizens!

I am going to be running for Apni Shala because I want to do my bit so their organization can grow and more children are able to reap the benefits of their programmes. Every little bit counts, you guys! Please contribute and spread the word!

I am not some kind of a fitness freak or lambi race ka ghoda and therefore my run will be short. Those of you who know me are probably aware that I am not exactly athletic. Erudite activities are more my thing!  After a tonne of apprehensions, I signed up for this run. I know that if we all do our little bits, things will change!  So chalo! We must do our little bits! Support my run and pool in a small portion of your incomes/ allowances. Let’s do it!

I earnestly hope some of you will contribute to Apni Shala through this campaign page!