Gyan Dhara – Light the Candle

“Gyan Dhara – Light the Candle” is a child development program implemented in Deen Dayal Puri village, Ghaziabad. Its primary focus is to reintegrate school dropouts and support underprivileged school-going children, especially girls, from neighbouring areas. With the generous financial and moral support of Light the Candle International Inc., the program was launched in September 2023 and is thriving. We are indebted to their support. The program is collaboratively implemented with the Sisters of Destitute at Jeevan Dhara Welfare Centre, Deen Dayal Puri.

Through the program, we support 50 needy children in pursuing their education and holistic development, encompassing educational growth, physical well-being, nutritional support, social development, mental well-being, moral values. The program has led to significant progress in their lives, empowering them to reach new heights. Key support activities include regular tuition classes aligned with school syllabus, provision of study materials, books, school bags, and stationery and nutritional food. Additionally, extra attention is provided to students who are not able to cope up with specific subjects. This comprehensive approach fosters a nurturing environment for the children’s overall growth.

The tireless efforts of our teachers and coordinator have paid off, with some students excelling to the top spot in their classes. Moreover, numerous students have demonstrated marked improvement in their academic performance, underscoring the success of our approach.

Beyond the regular school curriculum, we organize various activities to foster their personal growth and development. These activities complement their academic learning, helping them become well-rounded individuals. Some of them are:

• Indoor & Outdoor games that encourage participation, teamwork, and healthy competition contributing to the children’s overall well-being.
• Physical training sessions and yoga classes to enhance their physical development, mental clarity, focus and concentration.
• Gardening activities for hands-on learning experiences about various plant species and their importance, environmental conservation, deforestation’s impact on ecosystems and plant care and maintenance.
• Distribution of school bags, essential study materials and wash items to support their education and instill hygiene practices.
• Follow-up home visits for engaging both students and parents through personalized interactions and counselling sessions. This initiative fostered stronger relationships and provided valuable guidance to support the students’ growth and development.
• Parent – Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to update parents on their child’s performance, to gather feedback from parents and to foster collaboration between teachers and parents.
• Observance of Important Days to commemorate and educate the students of their importance.
• Health and hygiene awareness classes.
• Skill development trainings.
• Summer Camps to enhance the hidden talents of the children.
• Moral classes helping students to develop essential life values such as honesty, kindness, and respect.
• Medical camps.
• Educational tour.