MYSORE: Most people speak of bringing change in society; but very few transform that into action. Whatever you want to change should come from you is what Swami Vivekananda said, which is the service motto of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM).
In 1984, a group of young doctors started the NGO and conducted medical camps for tribal people settled in and around H D Kote. "During those camps we saw many tribal children who were ignorant of schools and education. That was when we thought of starting a school for these children," says Kumar, director of the Viveka Girijana Shaikshanika Kendra.
Viveka Girijana Shaikshanika Kendra was started at Hosahalli in H D Kote in 1988. Members of the SVYM staged many street plays and conducted camps to attract tribal children towards the new school. During April and May they even brought children along with their parents and made them stay in the school for a few days. After children got adjusted to the ambience of the school, they sent them back and called again in June. "The idea behind starting this institution was to educate tribal children who can learn everything just like any other child in urban area," says R Balasubramaniam, founder of the SVYM. The school has wireless internet and science labs which are not found in many urban schools, he adds.
"At the same time we make sure that children do not forget their tribal culture and so we conduct tribal day once in a week where an elder comes and speak with children about the tradition," he added.
The school was started with 28 children in a cow shed. At present, it has a furnished building with 412 tribal children who are getting free education. There is a computer lab and open library. Students are tutored by trained teachers. Students are trained in many co-curricular activities like sports, cultural events, farming, arts and handicrafts also the hostel is well equipped with a prayer hall and a dormitory. In 2011-12 SSLC examinations, the school achieved 94% pass percentage.
Source:Times of India
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