Apna Jatan

For those of you who don't know the purpose of my trip here to India was to create a sustainable development project with a local NGO ( Non governmental organization) as my time in Udaipur is winding down my project is picking up. Udaipur has many NGOs that do amazing work with the community and neighboring villages but this summer I've had the pleasure of working with Jatan Sansthan which is a grassroots NGO working with the rural population of the districts of Rajsamand, Udaipur and Bhilwada, within the state of Rajasthan. Jatan covers 250 villages across various blocks including Railmagra, Amet, Mawli and Gangapur. In the last 9 years, Jatan has worked on programs ranging from women empowerment and youth development to migration. Its scope of association has covered various existing and emerging drawbacks in rural communities occurring due to lack of basic resources, health care, education and employment. My first work week with Jatan I was completely unaware of what project I was going to take on that was until I visited Apna Jatan centers provide educational opportunities and overall support to the children from poor and undeveloped areas of Udaipur. Therefore alternative non-formal education and support in developing life skills for children up to the age of 14 as well as pre-school education. After my first visit to the center I instantly fell in love with the kids and the community and had to work there. At Apna Jatan I teach English and basic arithmetic and they teach me Hindi, games, and lots of patience.

 My first week there I realized that the center is equipped with many shelves but very few text books and picture books. This observation sparked my project to begin an in classroom library for my kids. After sharing my project with my supervisor and director I got the green light to start the library and they also added the task of obtaining a computer for the children. I developed a work plan, budget, and have arranged a training for the teachers on classroom management and technology implementation. In order to purchase the computer for the children I need to fundraise half the cost and money for software (the other half will be met by my organization) this computer will be the first one many these children have had access to. It will provide these children with a different learning outlet as well as give the teachers a way to monitor the library through a catalog system. Your donation will be very helpful and all donations are tax deductible. By clicking this link you can read more about the project as well as donate http://www.fsdinternational.org/donate/projects/taylor .These children have touched my heart in the short time I've been here and my goal before I depart is to leave them with something that will not only educate them but impact their lives as well. Namaste