Hyderabad :  United Way of Hyderabad (UWH) launched its signature program – “Enhancing Learning Abilities of Underserved children” here in city today in a function held at Aurora Business School in Punjagutta. In the first phase the program will reach out to children staying in Rainbow homes and RSTC boy’s homes (residential schools for street children). The function was being graced by  Shri Mukesh Kumar Meena, Collector of Hyderabad; Smt. Usha Rani, State Project Director, Rajiv Vidya Mission; Mr. Shakti Sagar, Chairman of United Way of Hyderabad;  Ms. Suchitra Ella, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech and Secretary of United Way of Hyderabad and Mr. Ramesh Kaza, Treasurer, United Way of Hyderabad.

Speaking on the occasion Hyderabad Collector Mr. Mukesh Kumar Meena said students drop-out is a cause of concern and needs to be curbed. Lot of students drop out at different stages, the reasons for which are manifold, he said. The reasons range from economic condition to students’ interest to lack of capacity of the teachers to retain the students’ interest. Proper and interesting teaching methods are needed to capture the interest of the students, he stressed. The quality of education depends upon the capability of a teacher, opined Mr. Mukesh Kumar Meena. He congratulated United Way of Hyderabad for choosing a right objective and making a collective effort to improve education for the children.

Addressing the gathering Mrs. Usha Rani, State Project Director, Rajiv Vidya Mission said that if provided good opportunities Government school students are in no way inferior to private school educated students. Government School students are very intelligent and have better social skills and if they are provided multimedia lessons, etc. they will fare much better, she said. She urged NGOs to come forward and work with the Government, as they will know the deficiencies and what is needed where.

Mr. Shakti Sagar, Chairman of the United Way of Hyderabad in his address stated that less than 45 per cent of children in the age group of 4-8 years are actually going to schools and more than 58 per cent of children in the age group of 10-11 years are dropping out of schools. The project launched today plan’s to provide end to end support to these children that will include providing infrastructure, Health care, nutrition and academic support. 12 such homes have been identified, which altogether have 1100 children.

United Way of Hyderabad was established with the support by the heads of various companies like ADP, Cognizant, Times Of India, Bharat Biotech, Bank Of America, Deloitte, Suresh Productions, Novotel, JWT, Medwin, Sadguru, US Consulate and Govt. of A.P.

The United Way of Hyderabad is a local body of the global, non-profit organization that works with hundreds of United Way offices throughout the world in a coalition of charitable organizations to pool efforts in fundraising and support. Its focus is identifying and resolving pressing community issues, as well as making measurable changes in the communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations. The issues United Way offices focus on are determined locally because of the diversity of the communities served. However, the main focus areas include education, income and health.

The project launched today is an outcome of the needs assessment survey conducted by UWH with an objective to extend volunteering and in kind support to these home as part of its Signature program which has a vision to provide End to End education support to children.

Support from education will come from some of the renowned educational societies to provide children with after school learning. Creative methods are being used for training since learning is faster through activities. Children will then be able to relate well with the concepts when they learn them in day school. The goal is to bridge all children to their respective grades within 12 months.

 Nice Foundation will be supporting the children with health screening and medical care. Bharat Biotech will provide free vaccines against typhoid, to all of these children. The children who attended the inaugural function were administered vaccines against typhoid to mark the beginning of the initiative.

UWH will also mobilize support to provide basic minimum infrastructure required to keep the environment Hygienic and conducive for children to learn.

As the outcome of our project children will be proficient in skills at their level and be equally competent with other children going to private schools. Children will have medical support, proper nutrition, and a hygienic environment.

The program will be implemented with support from NGOs like Aman Vedika, LSN Foundation, APMWS, Bala Tejassu,  Astitha and APSA who are currently managing these homes.

The program’s education initiative is being supported by Deloitte, Health initiatives by Bharat Biotech and ADP.  The infrastructure support to these homes will come from various corporate partners associated with UWH.