Success Stories: Arpana Gives Wings! (pt 2)
The Arpana Centre in Molar Bund, New Delhi, provides tuition support to 1500 underprivileged children of slum resettlement colonies, Gautampuri I and II.
Assistance not only for academic progress, but for developing well-rounded personalities in cultural programs, life skills, a library and vocational training in computers, nursery teachers training, beauty culture and craft and tailoring.
Dedicated volunteers, caring teachers and compassionate counsellors also assist in family matters, career anxieties and financial difficulties.
Deepak
Deepak’s elder sister, Mansi, studies in Arpana’s tuition program and told him about the computer course with a certificate from NIIT-CCIB. Deepak enrolled in the computer course and was so impressed with the computer instructor that he never wanted the class to end!
The teacher prepared them well and Deepak scored 92%, the highest of the batch, on the examination held by the external examiner from the NIIT Foundation.
Deepak was able to obtain a job as a Data Entry Operator with Utility Firm Private Limited at Mohan Estate at a monthly salary of Rs.9,000.
Deepak says, “I thank Arpana Trust for its guidance and support.”
Neetu
Neetu had completed a BA Hindi [Hons] from Jesus and Mary College and wanted to do B.Ed from the Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU). However, she required either one-year experience in teaching or a degree in a Nursery Teacher Training Course.
She took the one-year NTT course at Arpana and was taught how to deal with little children, guide them and relate to them. She was told love and motivation are the main tools for teaching.
Neetu told us, “My first day practical class was with Monika madam’s students. She made me observe her class, how the children were taught, how the children put up questions. She used poetries, stories and songs which made the topics interesting. Children were informed about new things daily.”
Then she was told there was a vacancy at Arpana. She applied for it and obtained the job with a salary of Rs. 10,900!
Neetu says, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Arpana for making my dream of becoming a teacher come true.”
Shahrukh
Shahrukh has been at Arpana Centre from Nursery School through Class 12. When he was in Class 7, his grades dropped drastically and it was discovered that he had a hearing problem. His teachers encouraged him to study and he did better. Later, Mrs. Sushma Agarwal got him a hearing aid.
Due to family difficulties, he had to do tailoring work at home and did not have time to study. Arpana exempted his tuition fees which, though nominal, were enough to enable him to study at home instead of working.
After Class 12, Arpana referred him to an NGO, Joining Hands, which sponsor scholarships. He was selected to take a professional course on Multimedia. He was also provided with a second hand computer for personal use. Arpana also referred him to Lepra India Trust for speech therapy free of cost, which enhanced his self-confidence.
Shahrukh told us, “Agarwal madam always used to say ‘Be a good and successful human being’, but I never thought that Arpana Trust would act as a family and support me so much to fulfill my dreams.”
Savita
Savita had been in Arpana’s tuition program a few years ago, but had to leave when her parents returned to their village.
Recently, she returned to Delhi and has completed a computer course accredited by NIIT Foundation at Arpana Trust.
Her teacher motivated her to look for a job and arranged an interview with the NIIT Foundation. She was selected by WS Smith with a monthly package of Rs.11,500.
Savita says, “Today I am earning, my parents are happy for me and they thank Arpana Trust for my success. After being economically independent, I feel I am successful and thank my teacher for support and encouragement.”
