The Problem

Dharamananda is addressing the disinterest and apathy that exists among rural youth when it comes to participating in sports and games as well as engaging with life.

The Solution

Youth mobilization by generating awareness about benefits of sports and game, creating a sort of encouraging environment in small group in rural communities by building network with local youth clubs for their voluntary participation in this initiative and drawing attention to some of the major stakeholders at block and district levels for active involvement—these are some of my knowhow to solve the problem.

The Venture

Dharamananda is mobilizing youth in rural communities of Odisha by fostering a supportive community around sports and games. He is building partnerships with local youth clubs who help him raise awareness about the importance of sports and games as well as major stakeholders in local government who are actively involved in helping him foster this supportive ecosystem. As an international player of Rugby and originally from a village community himself, Dharamananda sees sports as a tool to impact the physical, psychological and social health of rural youth. They also foster a sense of community among rural youth and improve skills of empathy, problem-solving and leadership towards holistic development of the self. So far, local youth have shown a lot of interest and are coming forward to engage in sports and games. Local sports grounds have been restored and the local Panchayat has extended its support for this initiative. In the future, Dharamananda hopes to create small clusters of youth in different village communities that will continue his initiative of using sports to empower rural youth. He also wants to set up a sports coaching society that will ensure the participation of youth from all sectors of society in sports activities and professional training.

The Problem

Importance of life skills is seldom focused upon for kids. This affects their behaviour at home and at school. They fail to understand how problems could be solved in an effective way.

The Solution

Life skills are taught to kids in a way they would find it amusing. Their lessons are learnt while playing football.

The Venture

Reflecting on the way the kids play football, life skills are imbibed in them. After the kids work on their life skills, Manoj and his team provides help to fetch them internships and jobs. Session plans are made to facilitate the learning. There is frequent engagement with the kids by visiting them at their homes to validate the process.

The Changemaker

Manoj trains the kids on skills of communication, teamwork and leadership. The kids also develop a sense of self-confidence through his pedagogy. Manoj is also currently studying in college since he wishes to finish his own education too.

The Problem

There is a severe lack of overall personality development of kids in government schools. Traditional educational practices are not effective in inculcating essential values like self-discipline, time management etc.

The Solution

By introducing Boxing as a sport, the team has been able to successfully build these values. The key has been to teach the significance of discipline and dedication in sports in life. They conduct sessions on social issues regularly, where they push the children to open up their minds and think about the society at large.

The Venture

Shubham, along with Project Innovation, has been able to train 20 students during the summer break and has worked with the school administration and teachers on issues like pedagogy and infrastructure to ensure sustained learning outcomes for the students.

The Changemaker

Shubham studies liberal arts at Ashoka University. Earlier, he attended the Doon School on scholarship where he led the school Boxing team to multiple victories in national tournaments.

The Problem

In the village of Mawiong, child marriage and school drop-out rates are high. Several children also engage in drinking and smoking.

The Solution

By engaging children in sports, such as a football, and other activities, the venture aims to teach young people basic life skills and encourage them to go back to school.

The Venture

Nikita works with a team of 5 people and also works in collaboration with the WAY foundation. The team has seen youth participation in their sessions grow steadily and hopes to influence mindsets of parents in the future.

Problem being addressed

Children in Vyasarpadi are deprived of basic facilities required for a decent and safe living including denial of access to quality education. Case is severe with girl children who are pushed to drop out from education and end up in child marriage. Children lack space for themselves to express their childhood through sports and games. In an ambiguous social milieu, children face threat of abuse and marginalization.

Venture Brief

Beema Bai started Community Based Digital Education, in which 10 Children clubs in 10 slums are provided with digitally assisted supplementary education ensuring quality education. Space is provided by local communities and training is by volunteers. Children are empowered through life skill education addressed to enhance their personality, communication and leadership skills to make them proactive agents of social change. Their enormous skill in football and other games are augmented through techno-based coaching to access professional appointments and career advancements. It is executed by volunteers from colleges, local volunteers guidd by Beema Bai. City of Joy team creates child leaders who disseminate child rights and child protection and become changemakers.

Impact

City of Joy has motivated 348 children to continue their education and equip themselves on competitive skills through digital learning centers. With improved life skills children have developed leadership skills and organize 12 children collectives monitoring child rights violations, retention in schools and healthier family life. Sports are utilized as a tool to achieve social transformation. 250 children, of whom 50 are girl, are engaged in learning Football, Carom, Chess and Table Tennis who aspire to use sports as professional opportunity. So far 15 football players under 14 and 17 have been placed in state and national teams through Beema Bai’s efforts.