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ISHA VIDHYA NEWSLETTER
Educating Rural India February 2013
Wide range of activities took place in Isha Vidhya Schools including celebrations, exhibitions, sports day and more. A glimpse of activities is presented below. To read reports from schools, please click here
Pongal Celebrations
Pool Lunch (Kuttansoru)
Republic Day Celebrations
Sports Day at Tuticorin School
Science Exhibition at Nagercoil School
Project GreenHands Activity at Vanavasi School
Students offers flowers to teachers at IVMS Tuticorin
Little hands that
reached out
Sports Day at
Coimbatore School
Click to view report from Schools
From the Editor
Schools are a temple of learning. School teachers and school administration take on a huge responsibility when they choose a career in education. They leave a deep influence in the mindscape of their students with the way they conduct the class, their enthusiasm, their knowledge. Besides upgrading knowledge about their subject and new methods of teaching, teachers need to get trained in many other aspects of handling young minds.

At Isha Vidhya, we are regularly training teachers in handling classroom situations, dealing with students with learning difficulties, making innovative lesson plans, activities which enhance understanding and more. Specialized agencies are also at times recruited to train teachers in these important aspects of teaching. End result of such trainings are visible in the progress that Isha Vidhya students are showing despite their family background.
Feature: Mumbai Marathon
It was a relatively cool winter morning in Mumbai on 20th Jan. When majority of the city was fast asleep in their blankets, over 150 Isha Vidhya supporters were leaving their homes to assemble at 5 am at the starting point of the Half / Full Marathon. They had been working for months, practicing for marathon and raising funds, stretching themselves to break physical and mental limitations.

Year 2013 was the 5th year of participation in the Mumbai Marathon for Isha Vidhya. Many of the supporters started approaching corporate and individual donors for support of Isha Vidhya. With their concerted efforts, over 300 corporate employees from 13 corporate teams and 150 individuals ran and raised funds for Isha Vidhya. Our sincere thanks to ICICI Lombard, India Infoline, HP, MyIris, HPCL, BPCL, Manhindra Brothers, All Cargo Logistics, Himedia, Lanxess, Unidesign and Nirvana Ventures for sponsoring the Corporate teams and thereby contributing to Isha Vidhya’s marathon fund-raising effort in a very significant way.

This year saw the youngest fund raiser in Isha Jain, who has raised over Rs. 0.6 million by reaching out to her relatives, friends and family. 20th Jan, the race day, also happened to be her 16th birthday. Showing commitment beyond her age, she requested her friends to donate to Isha Vidhya instead of buying her a birthday gift.

The marathon day was a combination of celebrations and competition. Some participants walked the distance while some bettered their race timings. Many supporters cheered the runners on the way. As it happens always, it was effortless for some and miraculous for some others!

Fund raising efforts of the volunteers has continued even after the event, with several donors coming forward to support the cause. So far, almost Rs. 10 million has been raised, with the final count still not over. These will go to construct new classrooms and provide scholarships to several hundreds of children as well as sponsorship of the Govt. School Adoption Program. The Isha Mumbai Marathon team of volunteers who planned, coordinated and implemented the entire Marathon effort is planning a get together of the Marathon runners and fund raisers in March 2013 to share, inspire and continue this journey.
Get Involved
Chronicling Student Profiles: If you are based in Coimbatore or visiting and can spare a couple of days, you can help us chronicle students' profiles and the impact of Isha Vidhya schools on their lives.

No special skill set is required other than being a good listener, adept at getting personal information compassionately and collating information gathered from different sources. Knowledge of Tamil language is essential to connect with the child and the family. A mobile phone with camera will help as well to take pictures. Please write in with your interest at asmita.sinha@ishavidhya.org.

To find out about other volunteering opportunities, please register* as a Friend of Isha Vidhya.

*The registration process will take less than a minute.
Donations and Investments
We urgently require following material for schools.

Used / New Digital Camera 14
Shade Nets and Poles 7 sets, each set costing Rs. 21,000
Tricycle to transport food 3 tricycles, each costing Rs. 12,000
Solar panels 6 sets, cost / set is Rs. 277,000
Learning Kit for Tamil Language 14 kits are required where each set costs Rs. 3,625
Click here for details

For inquiries or more information about donations, please email at donations@ishavidhya.org. To donate online please visit: http://www.ishavidhya.org/donate-now/financial-donation.html.

Information about other requirements and donation opportunities is available here
Picture Gallery
Fun in Library
Chief Education Officer's visit
Sports Day invitation
Teachers Training
@Isha Vidhya 2013 14, C.A. Theyvar Layout, Kannaperan Mills Road, Udayampalayam,
Coimbatore – 641 028, TN, India

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