About the Organization:
Ajit Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children from migrated communities in the rural areas of Solapur & Pune District and its nearby areas. These children come from families whose main occupations are making sculptures and small statues, road construction labor, domestic work, and unfortunately, begging. Many of these families travel to surrounding villages to sell their products, leaving their older children to look after the household and younger siblings, resulting in these children being kept away from the education system. Recognizing the dire need for educational development among these communities, Ajit Foundation has set up learning centers where these children can receive an education. The foundation's main goal is to impart education and facilitate the enrolment of these children in the formal education system. Over the past 15 years, Ajit Foundation has been able to provide education to over 8,000 children, helping to break the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of these communities.
Issue:
For years, numerous nomadic tribes in the rural areas of Solapur and Pune District and their nearby areas have struggled to make ends meet. Many of the children belonging to these families are forced to beg on the streets, collect garbage, and even fall victim to addiction and sexual harassment. But one man, Mr. Mahesh Nimbalkar, refused to sit idly and watch these children suffer. Together with his wife, Mrs. Vinaya Nimbalkar resigned from their teaching positions at a government school to start ‘Snehgram Democratic School’. Taking inspiration from respected social workers like Dr. Vikas Baba Amte and Mr. Kaustubh Amte, they established this unique school in the Korfale Tehsil-Barshi District-Solapur, Maharashtra, India in 2015.
This school offers a unique approach to education for the underprivileged, providing a self-directed learning environment for students who have slipped through the cracks of the traditional, test-driven education system. Along with traditional academic subjects, students learn valuable lessons about responsibility, problem-solving, social justice, and how to relate to others. At Snehgram Democratic School, emotional well-being is paramount, and students develop loving, caring relationships and a sense of community. This approach encourages students to follow their dreams, contribute positively to society, and become advocates for change. Thinking about building a democratic school of deprived children in the democratic country. Founded in 2015, The Democratic School in Korfale Tehsil- Barshi District- Solapur, Maharashtra (India) We provide a unique alternative to traditional models of education by offering children a self-directed approach to their learning. Students at our school, many whom have slipped through the cracks of today’s regimented test-driven school system, flourish in a nurturing environment that allows them the freedom to chart their own course of learning while fostering emotional growth and inter-personal skills. At The Snehgram Democratic School, students not only learn the traditional academic subjects, but also valuable lessons about responsibility, problem solving, social justice and most importantly, how to relate to each other. We have always placed great emphasis on student’s emotional well-being, fostering loving, caring relationships and developing a community of engaged learners. It is our focus on community building that encourages students to follow their dreams, contribute positively to society, and become voices for change. Ajit Foundation works for » Children of the nomads and those who beg on streets and traffic signals. » Children who are orphan and abandoned by their Parents. » Children of prisoners and criminals. » Sexually abused children. » Children of a single Parent. » Children who belong to untouchable communities.
Action:
At Snehgram, children are equipped with a solid foundation in basic and progressive curriculum education and are given opportunities to experience and participate in a democratic system at an early age. The school also offers valuable skill education and life experiences to prepare them for the future.
Their unique approach includes a system where the children themselves run the school, empowering them to take ownership of their education and foster a sense of responsibility and leadership. All of this is made possible through the generous support and contributions of the community.
Impact :
Children from diverse backgrounds admitted in Snehgram. The activities of Snehgram will help street children to have a rightful home by educating them, nurturing them, and maintaining social health without coming in contact with addiction and crime. Snehgram provides a nurturing home for children from diverse backgrounds, helping them stay away from addiction and crime while receiving the boon of basic and successive curriculum education. The school offers freedom, allowing students to spend time however they choose and discover themselves and their passions. Students are treated with respect and afforded the same rights as adults, with a book of law protecting their rights, including the right to speak their minds.
They are allowed to grow and be intellectually, emotionally, and physically healthy, while learning:
- Respect: At The Snehgram Democratic School, kids’ voices are heard and their opinions are taken seriously. They learn respect when they experience being respected.
- Responsibility: They learn responsibility by being in charge of their own behavior and education, making their own decisions, and owning up to their actions.
- Independence: Away from all the prying and protective eyes of parents and policymakers, students can create their own paths and become unique individuals. They are allowed to grapple with the problems of childhood — like boredom, mistakes, and conflicts with friends — without a protective adult rushing in to take over. They only receive help if they ask for it.
- Democratic Governance: Snehgram is democratically governed by a student council, providing exposure to the power of democracy and supporting students to become proactive and take initiative.
- Empowerment: Students are empowered to make their ideas a reality, with the same administrative power as staff, allowing them to become leaders and bring change to their communities and beyond. Free from the confines of a curriculum, they can procure whatever materials they need using the school’s budget, or request instructions either from on-site staff or outside professionals.
Snehgram is a remarkable project supported by community contributions that help children grow into healthy, independent, and empowered individuals.
Primary Cause :
Education
Project Location(s):
Barshi Dist- Solapur
