Month: December 2022

The Pioneer
Wednesday May 28, 2003

To explore newer and interesting approaches to teaching two of the most dreaded subjects, Mathematics and English, SMILE Foundation organised a two-day workshop last week. Twenty-five primary school teachers from seven NGOs of Noida and nearby areas participated in the training programme, focusing specifically on ways and means to help students develop a liking for these subjects.

The workshop also aimed at bringing qualitative changes in the teaching methodology of these subjects and making them more interesting and student-friendly.

Anupama Puri of SMILE Foundation said, “We have chosen English and Mathematics to make them vibrant subjects. These two subjects have been observed to be the bane of a majority of students – irrespective of their socio-economic or cultural background, and even the type of school they study in.”

The workshop reiterated that the play-way activity method is the most effective way to induce learning since seeing is believing, and doing is retaining. Children learn best when examples from their daily lives are used to reinforce the topics they are taught.

Teachers were taught to make inexpensive teaching aids from old newspapers, magazines, bottle caps, ice-creams sticks, twine and cloth. Educational expert Nirmal Kiran Puri coordinated the workshop.

“Quality of the teachers, their capabilities and the teaching approach become all the more vital, especially when the students are from impoverished families and are first-generation school-goers,” she said. The workshop recommended the need to create an environment where parents also appreciated quality education, thus lowering the school dropout rate.

(June 06, 2003)

THE TIMES OF INDIA
June 6, 2003

A two-day workshop for 25 primary school teachers of seven NGOs focused on exploring innovative methods of teaching English and mathematics.

SMILE Foundation organised a unique two-day workshop recently for 25 primary school teachers of seven NGOs of Noida and surrounding areas. The training specifically focused on exploring newer and interesting approaches to teaching English and Mathematics with the aim of bringing qualitative changes in teaching methodology of these subjects, hopefully making them more interesting and student-friendly.

Clarifies Anupama Puri, (executive coordinator), Smile Foundation, “We have chosen to make vibrant two subjects, English and Mathematics. These two subjects have been observed to be the bane of majority of students – irrespective of their socio-economic, cultural background, and the type of school. Often problems faced be students in understanding and developing command over these subjects act as positive deterrent towards interest in studies itself.”

Anchored by Kiran, an educational expert with over 25 years of experience, the workshop was attended by teachers of Nai Disha, Sankalp, Efrah, Nav Jyoti Development Society, Amit Asha, Sai Kripa and Ambedkar School.

The workshop reinforced that play-way / activities method is the most effective way to induce learning since seeing is believing – doing is retaining. Children learn best when examples from their daily lives are used to reinforce the topics they are taught – from the known to the unknown.

Teachers were taught to make inexpensive teaching aids from – old newspaper, magazines, bottle caps, ice-cream sticks, twine, cloth, etc.

The workshop was participative in nature and concept of using puppets, poems, crossword puzzles, quizzes and more interestingly gestures and enacting of the subject by the teacher to enhance learning was also discussed and greatly appreciated by the participants.

(June 11, 2003)

(June 13, 2003)

(July 24, 2003)

Hindustan times
Ht South Live (Thursday, July 24, 2003)

AS PART of its Safety Awareness Campaign, Smile Foundation is organising a series of workshops covering 500 adolescent girls and women in the five communities living in Safdarjung Enclave with participation of 120 girls and women from the slums of Mohummadpur, Himayunpur and Krishana Nagar.

The first workshop was held at St. Mary’s School, Safdarjung Enclave with participation of 120 girls and women from the slums of Mohummadpur; Himayunpur and Krishna Nagar.

The theme of the workshop was ‘Basics of Self-Defence’ with focus on myths about women, violence and self-defence, body language and basics about the redressal procedures and how to approach the police.

Says Anupama Puri, of the Foundation, “The first step towards effective self-defence is to realize that no matter what, all of us are susceptible to various forms of crime. And it is well documented that women of all ages have successfully defended themselves against attackers. Never think that it couldn’t happen to you. Be prepared. Women have right to their space and must exercise it.”

Anchored by inspector Neeta Malhotra of the Women Cell, Delhi Police, the workshop familiarised the participants with the basic departments and procedures of the police, Missing Persons Squad, Women’s Cell, Post Box No: 5353, help line and counseling facilities.

Participants were told about how the Women’s Cell Functions.

Says Malhotra, “It is absolutely essential that we raise our voice against any misconduct and bring the perpetrators to book as it will not only teach them a lesson but also act as a deterrent.”

According to Puri, awareness is the first line of defence; awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker’s likely strategies.

A criminal’s primary strategy is to use the advantage of surprise.

Studies have shown that criminals are adept at choosing targets who appear to be unaware of what is going on around them.

By being aware of your surroundings and by projecting a “force presence'” many altercations which are commonplace on the street can be avoided.

The workshop was interactive in nature with girls sharing their experiences and reactions.

Besides lecture and discussion, basic self-defence and attack techniques to the various vulnerable body parts were demonstrated by Daya and Seema of the Delhi Police.

(August 02, 2003)

Times of India
(South Delhi Plus)
Saturday Aug 2, 2003

Women have landed on the moon, walked in space, been elected heads of state, yet they are not safe in their own surroundings. The Smile Foundation recently organised a series of workshops on the basics of self-defense for adolescent girls and women. These workshops were conducted by experts form the Delhi Police. The message was: To survive, women need to fight back.

Awareness It’s your first line of defense. Most people think of kicks to the groin and blocking punches when they hear the term “self-defense”. However, true self-defense begins long before any actual physical contact. The first, and probably most important, component in self-defense is awareness: awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker’s likely strategies.

The criminal’s primary strategy is to use the advantage of surprise. Studies have shown that criminals are adept at choosing targets who appear to unaware of what is going on around them. By being aware of your surroundings and by projecting a “force presence”, many alterations which are commonplace on street can be avoided.
Sixth sense call it “gut instinct” or whatever, our intuition is a powerful subconscious insight into situations and people. All of us especially women, have this gift, but very few of us pay attention to it. Learn to trust this power and use it to your full advantage. Avoid a person or a situation which does not “feel” safe – you’re probably right.

Escape it’s always your best option. Run away, yell for help – do whatever you can to attract attention. And if the criminal is after your purse or other material items, throw them one way while you run the other:

Consider action Be more assertive, leave, yell, kick, do something. YOU CAN and SHOULD defend yourself physically. Statistics clearly show that one’s odds of survival are far greater if one fights back. Aim for the eyes first and the groin second. Use the element of surprise to your advantage – strike quickly, and mean business. You may only get one chance. Even the most innocuous of items could be your key to safety Take a look around, see if you can find just five items that you could use as a weapon.

        Look for:

• Anything sharp, like a pen, to poke and stab with.
  
  
• Things that are flexible to wrap around an attacker’s neck and strangle with.
  
  
• Liquids that would sting if they got in an attacker’s eyes: vinegar, sprays, soaps etc.

Picture in your mind, ways to use each of them, for example, your keys. Your house or car keys make great weapons, and importantly, you will often have them with you, and in a very handy place – your pocket, using your keys for self-defense is unknown to most people. Hold the key as if you are going to open a lock, but hold it MUCH tighter and aim to strike the sensitive parts of an attacker’s body: eyes or throat (only I extreme situations), ribs, solar plexus, groin, nose etc.

(August 26, 2003)

(August 31, 2003)

(September 03, 2003)

(September 03, 2003)

The Pioneer
(Satchel)
Wednesday September 3, 2003

SMILE Foundation, organised a workshop on August 30, 2003 for 35 school teacher from 12 NGOs, as part of their endeavour to improve the quality of education imparted through non-formal educational centers. The focus was on improving the class-room interaction between the teachers and the taught, Anupama Puri, executive coordinator, said, “The atmosphere a teacher creates in the classroom has a drastic effect on the students’ respective capacity. When students know that their teachers care for them and believe in them, the response is much better. Teachers need to understand the impact and influence they have on their students’ lives.”