Bhumi : Report 2006 – 2009

Introduction:

Bhumi is a youth volunteer non-profit organisation registered under the Tamil Nadu State
Socities act.

Bhumi was started on August 15, 2006 by a small group of young people with a strong
passion to change the society as it is today and build a better India for tomorrow.

Students from colleges and young working professionals were trained and allotted
preferred orphanages/community centres to teach under-privileged children for two hours
every week.

Vision:

To help build a more influential, equal and socially conscious society

Mission:

To bridge the gap in society through quality education

To provide a platform for socially minded youth
Moulding the youth into tomorrow's leaders
To fight global warming through citizen level initiatives
To turn youth into Climate Messengers

Year wise beneficiaries:

Programme Beneficiaries – Children

2006 – 2007 292
2007 – 2008 270
2008 – 2009 759
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Introduction: Make a Difference (MAD) provides quality English and soft skills to
underprivileged children with the aim of bridging the gap between them and those who
get better education. Through this programme, we build communication ability and
improve confidence of our children. The uniqueness of MAD lies in the interactive, fun
ways adopted by our volunteer teachers. Aids like flashcards, lively audios, animated
visuals, role plays, puzzles and games are part of our classroom teaching.

Details of Beneficiaries:

2006 – 2007:

SNo Name of Type Location No. of No. of Class

Centre volunteers children

1 Bala Mandir Orphanage T.Nagar, 3 60 6th – 8th

Chennai
2 Pudupettai Slum Pudupettai, 3 40 6th – 10th
Community Chennai
Total number of beneficiaries: 100 children
Bhumi Volunteer – Children Ratio – 1:20

2007 – 2008:

Name of Type Location No. of No. of Class

SNo Centre volunteers children

1 Anbu Orphanage Kottivakam, 3 35 5th – 9th

Karangal Chennai
Total number of beneficiaries: 35 children
Bhumi Volunteer – Children Ratio – 1:10
 2008 – 2009:

SNo Name of Type Location No. of No. of Class

Centre volunteers children

1 Anbu Orphanage Kottivakam, 8 35 5th – 9th

Karangal Chennai
2 Avvai Orphanage Adyar, 6 28 9th – 10th
Home Chennai
3 Government Orphanage Purasawakkam, 14 39 5th – 9th
Girls’ Home cum School Chennai
4 SAC Orphanage R.A.Puram, 20 58 6th – 9th
Dr.PVRao cum School Chennai
5 Welfare Community Pallavaram, 10 48 4th – 9th
Education Centre Chennai
Trust
6 Government School Pallikaranai, 25 240 7th
High School Chennai CTS
Outreach
Total number of direct beneficiaries: 208 children
Total number of beneficiaries: 448 children
Bhumi Volunteer – Children Ratio – 1:10

Structure:
Feedback: To ensure smooth communication and effective sharing of new learning
methods within and across centres, volunteers post feedback on our online forum on the
Social networking website, Orkut. Through discussions volunteers were able find
answers to tricky situations/problems they were facing at their teaching centres.

MAD encourages active participation during classes

Training: A two-day intensive training sessions by The Teachers’ Foundation,

Bangalore equipped all volunteers with teaching methodologies that can be implemented
across any level of aptitude. This was followed by two syllabus training workshops at
two monthly intervals.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

Bhumi’s Mentors trained Cognizant Technological Solutions’ CSR initiative Outreach’s

volunteers. Syllabus and testing matrix were provided by Bhumi. The programme
indirectly benefitted a further 240 children in 2008-09.

Achievements:

During the initial phase of MAD, our volunteers faced the challenge of making the
children understand the need to learn the language. The interactive and enjoyable
elements incorporated, spurred excitement and the children became more receptive to
MAD classes. Volunteer teachers consider this the biggest achievement and reward to the
efforts and time invested in moulding the future of these children.
 Learning English through activities

Awards:

The Make a Difference programme is the winner of the Staples Youth Social
Entrepreneur Award 2008 (Link).

Plan for 2009-2012:

To expand the programme to at least seven centres to benefit at least 750 children.
 KANINI

Introduction: Kanini (meaning computer in Tamil), started in 2007, is Bhumi initiative to

provide children a platform to learn the nuances of this tool. The programme's goal is to ignite
young minds to the endless possibilities of the computer and make the children functionally e-
literate. With a structured syllabus that covers both software and hardware, Kanini helps children
to build their career path effectively.

Details of Beneficiaries:

2007 – 2008:

SNo Name of Type Location No. of No. of Class

Centre volunteers children

1 Anbu Orphanage Kottivakam, 3 35 5th – 9th

Karangal Chennai
2 SOS Village Orphanage Tambaram, 3 35 8th – 10th
Chennai
3 HOPE Orphanage Sembakkam, 2 20 6th – 10th
Foundation Chennai
Total number of beneficiaries: 90 children
Bhumi Volunteer – Children Ratio – 1:10
 2008 – 2009:

S. No Name of Centre Type Package No. of No. of Class

Completed volunteers children
1 Anbu Karangal, Orphanage Package 2 3 4 11th– 12th
Kottivakam, (HTML
Chennai Alone)
2 SAC Dr.PVRao, Orphanage Package 1 10 17 10th
R.A.Puram, cum School
Chennai
3 NEST, Community Package 1 6 25 5th – 12th
Thirumullaivayil, Centre
Chennai
4 Bala Mandir, Orphanage Package 1 6 29 9th, 11th
Chennai cum School and 12th

5 CORD, Community Package 1 5 25 6th – 12th

Tamiraipakkam, Centre
Thiruvallur
6 Welfare Community Package 1 6 50 5th – 12th
Education Trust, Centre
Pallavaram,
Chennai
7 Diya, Mylapore, Community Technical 10 5th – 9th
Chennai Centre support
8 Uthavum Community Technical - 90 6th – 10th
Nanbargal, Centre support
Alanthur,
Thiruvallur
Total number of direct beneficiaries: 150 children
Total number of beneficiaries: 250 children
Children – Computer Ratio: - 5:1
Volunteer – Children Ratio: - 1:10
 Bhumi aims to computerize orphanages at the ratio of 1:6

Structure:
Teams & Responsibilities:

1. Tech Team
Maintaining hardware and software
Managing computers donated by well-wishers

2. Content Team
Drafting and updating packages
Analyzing feedback and suggestions
Creating pre-programme and post programme assessment questionnaires/tests

3. Operations / Admin Team

Finalising the number of centers and children based on volunteer and resource
availability
Arranging training for volunteers if needed

Practical experience enables faster learning

Training & packages:

Regular "Knowledge Transfer Activity for volunteers" were conducted to encourage volunteers
to share information on the packages amidst themselves. Experts were also brought in from other
organisations for the same.

Packages
Package 1: FOC and MS Office
Details Fundamentals of the Computer, Microsoft office and Basic internet

Duration of the course 45 Hrs (Approx)

Target Group All the children
Pre-requisite None
Package 2: SSP
Details Hardware assembler and system service provider
Duration of the course 20 Hrs (Approx)
Target Group School discontinued and college goers
Pre-requisite Package 1 has to be completed
Package 3: Web page designers (WPD)
Tools to be taught HTML, Photoshop and Coral Draw
Duration of the course 30 Hrs per Tool (Approx)
Target Group HTML, Photoshop and Coral Draw
Pre-requisite
Package 4: Programmers (PMR)
Languages to be taught C, C++ and java (Oops Concepts)
Duration of the course 40 Hrs per each language (Approx)
Target Group Students with good aptitude and logical thinking
Pre-requisite Package 1 has to be completed.
Package 5: Animation
Tools to be taught Flash
Duration of the course 30 Hrs per Tool (Approx)
Target Group Students who aspire a career in Animation
Pre-requisite Packages 1, 2 & 3 have to be completed

Plan for 2009-2012:

To expand the programme to at least forty centres to benefit at least 1,200 children.
 CAREER COUNSELLING

Introduction:

Bhumi’s Career Counselling helps children complete the cycle of growth by guiding them to focus
on the right career. Children from lesser-privileged sections of society are often clueless about the
career options available to them. Moreover, inadequate awareness and guidance impede the process
of realising their dreams and true potential. Bhumi understands the importance of instilling
confidence in young, bright minds and moulding them into better citizens of the future. This
challenging and interesting task is accomplished by several teams working in coordination.

Details of Beneficiaries:

2007-2008:

S.No Name of Centre Type Location Progra No. of Class

m Children
1. Anbu Karangal Orphanage Thiruvanmiyur, One-day 10 10th –
Chennai 12th
Total number of beneficiaries: 10 children

2008 - 2009:

S.No Name of Centre Type Location Progra No. of Class

m Children
1. Dr.P.V.Rao School Orphanage R.A. Puram, Annual 16 10th
Chennai
2. Bala Mandir Orphanage T. Nagar, One-day 12 11th &
Chennai 12th
3. Welfare Community Pallavaram, One-day 32 9th – 12th
Educational Trust Centre Chennai
Total number of beneficiaries: 60 children
 Counsellors with children from Bala Mandir Children’s Home

Structure:

 Annual Programme
Motivational Session
SWOT Analysis & Psychometric Test
Personalized Counseling, 2 children per volunteer
Constant monitoring, motivation and counseling at least twice a month
 One day Programme
Ice Breaker Games
Motivational Session
Various career options presentation
Detailed information specific to all students individually

Teams and Responsibilities:

1. Scientific Analysis
Information collection
Psychometric tests & SWOT analysis
Analysis of interest and aptitude
Recommend Best Fit

2. Knowledge Management
Academia
Vocational Courses & Industry Contacts
Scholarship Details, Bank Loans and procedures

3. Student Counselors
 Identify children & collecting information
Administering psychometric tests and personalized counseling
Identify best fit based on aptitude and interest, recommend ideal career path
Support and equip children with information and infrastructure
Connect children with potential supporters
Continuous monitoring and feedback

Trainers

Creative Communication and Management Center : Dr.Sumathi Narayanan, Ph.D in

Human Development, Department of Psychology, University of Madras
Mr. Hari, Career Counsellor

Plan for 2009 - 2012:

To define systems, complete knowledge acquisition and publish the same on the website in a
publicly usable format. To expand the programme to benefit at least 750 children.
 LITTLE EINSTEINS

Introduction:

With limited resources available, children at some schools are deprived of what their
peers from other schools get. Little Einsteins is an effort to bridge this gap by providing
children an opportunity to learn Mathematics and Science through experiments, puzzles,
games and multimedia resources. Seeing the practical implementation of theoretical
concepts enlarges their canvass of imagination and helps them retain better. Tests are
conducted regularly to assess the progress of the children.

Little Einsteins was launched as a pilot project in Februray 2009.

Structure:

Details of Beneficiaries:

2008 – 2009:

SNo Name of Centre Type Location No. of Class

children

1 Karpagavalli School Mylapore, 47 7th & 8th

Vidyalaya Chennai
Total number of beneficiaries: 47 children
 The Little Einsteins team with children

Plan for 2009 - 2012:

To stabilise syllabi and testing matrix; To include soft-skills development, general

knowledge, etc in the programme. To expand the programme to at least ten more centres
benefiting 400 children.
 Preventive Health Camps

Introduction: Bhumi’s preventive health camps extend professional medical help to the
financially weaker sections in both rural and urban societies to redress health-related
problems they face and to spread awareness on healthy living. Medicines are distributed
free of cost. For those with visual defects, Bhumi provides spectacles at concessional
rates and facilities free cataract surgeries.

Camp Details:

Number of beneficiaries:
192 local residents of MG Nagar, Chetpet on 21st January 2006
Four people diagnosed with cataract were taken to Lions Eye Hospital for tree
treatment
170 local residents of Covoor Village, near Porur on 2nd March 2007
22 people were found to be in need of spectacles. These were provided at a
concession
Eight people diagnosed with cataract were taken to Appasamy Eye Hospital for
free treatment

Blood Donation Camps and Organ Donation Awareness Campaigns

Introduction: Bhumi organises blood donation camps at workplaces and colleges in

partnership with voluntary organizations like Lions Blood Bank. Bhumi also conducts
seminars and discussions on organ donation after death in partnership with MOHAN
Foundation. Informative pamphlets are distributed. Participants who decide to sign up for
donation are given donor cards.

Camp Details:

Conducted at –
Loyola College, Chennai
Sri Sam Ram Engineering College, Chennai
 THINK GREEN

Think Green is an initiative by Bhumi that encourages people to plant saplings of their
choice in their localities. A preliminary study is done to identify flowering and non-
flowering trees that would adapt to the conditions of the area. Continuous care of the
trees planted emphasises our collective commitment to provide the current and future
generations with a green and safe environment.

Bhumi encourages residents to practise Composting, thereby reducing the amount of

kitchen wastes that leave our households.

‘Free the Tree’ Campaign (FTC), in association with Nizhal is a regular activity to
remove billboard/poster nails from trees and urge advertisers not to continue this harmful
activity.

Bhumi, as part of the Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN), trains its volunteers to be
Climate Messengers, who make presentations at their schools, colleges and companies to
raise awareness and equip people concerned with every day solutions to combat climate
change.

Implemented at:

Bethalpuram Residential Area, Tambaram, Chennai

PS Higher Secondary School, Mandaveli, Chennai
PWD Park, Kotturpuram, Chennai
FTC at Usman Road & Bazzula Road, T.Nagar, Chennai
 Volunteers planting trees at PWD Park; Volunteers participating in FTC
Training:

15 volunteers benefited from the Climate Leadership Programme that was conducted on
2nd January at University of Madras.
 Joy to the World

Introduction:
The initiative connects lesser-privileged children with employees of several MNCs who
helped make small wishes of these children become true. Children were made to fill up
two wishes each, and the filled wish cards were then distributed to Donors willing to
fulfill those wishes. The gifts were then distributed during the weekends of Christmas and
New Year 2009.

Beneficiaries of this initiative are children from:

2008 – 2009:

SNo Name of Centre Orphanage / Location No. of

Community children
Centre
1 Anbu Karangal, Orphanage Thiruvanmiyur, 60
Chennai
2 SAC Dr.P.V.Rao Orphanage cum R.A.Puram, Chennai 66
High School, School
3 Community Community Thamaraipakkam, 30
Homes @ Centre Thiruvallur
4 Community Community Thirumulaivoyil, 42
Homes @ Centre Chennai
5 Roshini Home Orphanage Pallikaranai, 38
Chennai
 6 Jeroham Home Orphanage Keelakatalai, 34
Chennai

Total number of beneficiaries: 270 Children

Giving away the gifts

Participants in this initiative - Employees of:
· Cognizant Technological Solutions [Thoraipakkam and Pallikaranai]
· Infosys [Mahindra City and Sholinganallur]
· HCL, Purasalwalkam
· Satyam Computers, Perungudi
· Dexterity Business Analysts Pvt. Ltd., Ambattur
· Hexaware Technologies, Ambattur
· Allsec Technologies, Velachery

Plan for 2009 - 2012:

To expand the programme, to more centres, to benefit at least 2,000 children.

13 / 1, Cenotaph Road, First Lane
Teynampet
Chennai – 600 059
www.bhumichennai.org
98408-68441 / 98942-09741