Manavsadhna

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Holistic Education

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MS believes that education should cultivate the true potential of a child and give them the required tools to thrive in the world, contribute to society in meaningful ways and lead a joyful and fulfilling inner life. Our holistic values-based education is an integrated approach to nurture the balanced development of each child’s head, heart and hands.

Supplementary Education

In all MS Community Centers, we run a daily supplementary education program divided into Bal Sanskar (1st-5th standard from 9-11:30 am) and Vidhyadham (6th-10th standard from 2-6 pm). The objective is to provide a range of quality learning opportunities and guidance to nurture the development of the whole-child while equipping them with the means to rise above the poverty cycle.

What Each Child Receives

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Flowering Tree Open School

We started our first formal school, the Flowering Tree Open School, at the Manav Gulzar Center in 2018. We converted the existing Bal Sanskar program into an Open School, enrolling students in KG-5th standards from the surrounding community. We are utilizing our learnings and insights from three decades of imparting education through informal schools to meet our aim—provide a free, premium-quality, meaningful, holistic education to low-income communities. We believe every student should have access to a values-based education integrated with a wide range of opportunities, learning and support so that they may flourish in all aspects of their lives. The response and the growth of the students and their families in such a short span has been positively overwhelming.

A Closer Look at MS Holistic Education

Bal Sanskar, Vidhyadham and Open School focus on building a strong foundation in academics integrated with the following range of initiatives to foster happy, healthy, confident and well-rounded children.

Prayer and Assembly

We start every day with an all-religion prayer, followed by meditation and an assembly period, in which we do a range of learning, exposure and values-based activities.

Annapurna (Daily Nutrition)

Through Annapurna, we provide daily a warm, wholesome meal to every child so they may receive the vitamins and nutrients needed to grow and blossom.

Prathma (Remedial Support)

Through Prathma (meaning “first step”), we assist students struggling to learn by working closely with them to build a strong foundation in basic reading, writing, math and social studies. The curriculum accommodates various learning styles and reinforces basic concepts through engagement.

Jugnoo (Value-Education)

Through Prathma (meaning “first step”), we assist students struggling to learn by working closely with them to build a strong foundation in basic reading, writing, math and social studies. The curriculum accommodates various learning styles and reinforces basic concepts through engagement.

Innovative Learning Initiatives

Shrujan: This program heartens child-led, creative learning and a love for reading by encouraging students to explore alternating themes through exploration and project-based activities.

Khoj: We have partnered with the Khoj Museum to help our 6th-9th grade students connect science, art and innovation through interactive displays, inquiry-based activities, exploration and fun.

Sanskrit: In partnership with Eklavya Sanskrit Academy, we are teaching our 1st graders Sanskrit, one of the world's most systematic languages. The classes help children improve reading speed, comprehension, and pronunciation. It also promotes brain development in the formative years, leading to improved critical thinking, memory retention, and decision-making.

Samanvay: Students get the opportunity to continuously develop and strengthen essential Gujarati language skills through the study of Social Science.

Art, Music & Dance

Through weekly Arts classes, our children connect with their spirit, express emotion and imagination in healthy ways, grow in creativity and improve their performance across other disciplines. In Bal Sanskar children participate in arts and crafts as well as dance classes; in Vidhyadham students select from arts and crafts, music or dance and commit to it for the year. Volunteers and artists also facilitate workshops throughout the year.

Computers & Technology

Children attend classes in our computer labs to become familiar with computers, learn typing and master basic programs. Through CurioTech, a collaboration with Cavitak, volunteers bring relevant knowledge, life-skills and technology into the classroom with a focus on how things work (a pan card or ATM machine), art and technology (graphic designing and animation) and entrepreneurship (different aspects of the business through local case studies).

Sports Program

Every student from 4th-9th standard engages in a weekly sports period, encouraging them to bring forth their best in teamwork, sportsmanship, grit, focus and commitment while also improving their health and well-being. For Bal Sanskar students, we focus more on games and physical play to develop motor skills, improve cognition and enable body awareness.

The Football Project

For students who want to advance in sports, we have a dedicated Football Project, which began in 2010 as a humble, informal practice organized by some football-loving volunteers. It has grown substantially,and the children have a deep commitment and a genuine passion for the game. Many of our kids have participated and won accolades in state and national level sports competitions.

Festival Celebrations

We organize and celebrate various festivals and events throughout the year so children may revel in local culture, build community bonds, learn about different belief systems, gather cultural wisdom and experience the joy of celebration.We also organize events such as an annual Sports Tournament and Learning Fairs (Science, Literature and Math Fairs) to encourage confidence and learning through experience, performances and presentations.

Bal Bachat Mandal (Children’s Savings Program)

Most children receive a daily allowance of a couple of rupees from their parents but use the money on junk food. Bal Bachat teaches children how to save money and make smart choices. Students save money by depositing it at the center and can “withdraw” it when they need to buy something important, such as school materials.

Adolescent Education

Through Adolescent Education, we provide support, encouragement, and accurate information to help youth navigate the world during this significant period of transition. We provide them with information about their health and bodies; promote positive attitudes and help them develop skills to respond to real-life situations successfully.

Scouts & Guides

We started the Scouts Program in 2010 to provide adolescent boys with the platform to develop leadership, confidence, positive habits, a spirit of service and life skills. In 2017 the program was extended to girls through Guides. Annual activities include camping trips and outdoor activities, training and skill development in areas such as disaster management, community work, exercise, ambulatory and firefighting support.

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Teacher Development

Many of our teachers belong to the communities where we work. They possess an amazing spirit full of passion, commitment and empathy. We invest in developing them as strong educators and facilitators through continuous trainings, workshops, classroom observations and exposure visits throughout the year in addition to heartening their personal growth through orientations, service retreats and more.

Wings-Education Financial Support

The Wings Scholarship Program looks to go the extra mile in MS’s efforts to provide elevated and personalized educational financial support for deserving underprivileged children who demonstrate aptitude and initiative so that they may reach their highest potential. Each student is provided with financial and administrative support in their educational journey along with mentorship and progress tracking. As part of this initiative, we also help cover the expenses for 10th standard tuition to help students prepare and pass the state board exams.

Earn N Learn

The program serves vulnerable children by supporting their education (learning) while providing the platform of arts and crafts to help them earn for a few hours a day in a healthy and loving environment (earning). Earn N Learners make beautiful handmade paper products for which they receive incentives; they attend daily tuition classes, participate in extracurricular activities and are also given a nutritious meal. The mentors infuse values and life skills through every aspect of the program. Thousands of children, including several of MS’s project coordinators, have learned and grown holistically through this program.
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Saturday Special

Our longest running program, the intention behind Saturday Special is to give children the chance to enjoy their childhood through fun-based exposure activities such as plays, games, movies, storytelling, followed by delicious but nutritious snack. We always welcome volunteers and donors to participate and support this activity, which represents the essence of MS.

MS World Tours

Against all odds, MS has taken more than 65 children across the world on 5 international performing arts tours. These tours are dedicated to spreading Mahatma Gandhi’s message of love and non-violence. Each tour was preceded by a deeply transformational process guided by MS volunteers and mentors for 1 to 2 years to foster the spiritual, emotional and creative growth of the participating children. During the tours they perform at various venues as well as engage with families, communities, non-profit organizations, spiritual groups, schools and more. Each tour is only possible through the generosity of our extensive and loving family and partners around the world who support with donations, coordination, hosting, and so much more. Upon return the ripples surface as a change in habits and perspective alongside a more defined and purposeful life trajectory. Over time the children grow into positive role models and community leaders.

MS World Tours

Against all odds, MS has taken more than 65 children across the world on 5 international performing arts tours. These tours are dedicated to spreading Mahatma Gandhi’s message of love and non-violence. Each tour was preceded by a deeply transformational process guided by MS volunteers and mentors for 1 to 2 years to foster the spiritual, emotional and creative growth of the participating children. During the tours they perform at various venues as well as engage with families, communities, non-profit organizations, spiritual groups, schools and more. Each tour is only possible through the generosity of our extensive and loving family and partners around the world who support with donations, coordination, hosting, and so much more. Upon return the ripples surface as a change in habits and perspective alongside a more defined and purposeful life trajectory. Over time the children grow into positive role models and community leaders.