Reaching out with a difference.
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture (SAIOC) procured land in 2006 in the village Brindakhali, Uttarbhag near Baruipur, 24 Parganas (South) near Kolkata, and decided to use it to develop education and health care amongst women and children of villages around Uttarbhag and to improve the livelihood of the villagers. Hence the institute and its sister institution, The Future Foundation School (TFFS), have been conducting a Community Outreach Programme since 2006.
The multi-pronged activities include, as a benchmark, free medical treatment and distribution of medicines, free of cost, by a proficient Homoeopath once a week, to more than 400 villagers.
Aurokul, the non-formal education programme that started with 51 village children on July 11, 2017 now has nearly 200 children of varied age groups. Notably, children partake of joyful learning, getting recognition for best performances in every class. TFFS alumni, school teachers and even senior students take classes that impart: Life Skills, Manners & Etiquette, English, Bengali, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Computer Science, Dance and Music, Instruments like Violin & Synthesizer and Indoor & Outdoor games.
The institute and school believe and have a vision of educating and guiding children to make them self-learners, and so much effort has been given to enhance and teach them in fun-ways the skill building programmes in areas such as life skills, manners and etiquette, Karate, debates, extempore, art, craft and instruments like Violin and Synthesizer. Children are encouraged to play both indoor and outdoor games. The children are given and taught medical care. In performing arts the children have taken part and performed dance and drama on stage before more than 400 people. They have taken part in debates and extempore. Moreover, the children enjoy the field trips immensely.
The students of The Future Foundation School (TFFS), have raised funds for the programme. These are members of the Interact Club and the Earth Lovers’ Club. The students maintain accounts, make surveys and work in the free dispensary. Students have collected old clothes, books, and toys for regular distribution. They have even planted saplings along with the village children
The Non-Formal Education programme is very beneficial for the village children. Their keen interest in the classes has helped the students of Madhyamik and the junior students pass their examinations well. The children are very happy to attend Aurokul Class as the learning is through joy and fun. With time, the bearing, demeanour, aptitude and skill set of the children stand positively enhanced. They are, today, forthcoming and outgoing enough to stage cultural performances in front of an enthralled audience.
With this unique community service programme, the school aspires to be a meaningful presence in the lives of the less fortunate and make their lives happier, in some measure.
