Vidya Poshak

AN OVERVIEW OF VIDYA POSHAK

Vidya Poshak is a Civil Society Organisation working for Empowering the Educational community. Since the year 2001, Vidya Poshak has been adopting a holistic approach towards its vision.

While the economically impoverished but meritorious student community is being hand held for pursuing post 10^th class education and employment thereafter, Vidya Poshak also extends library support to such scholars as well as for other student community.

Vidya Poshak also has been undertaking systematic training programmes for the students, teachers, volunteers and parents through various tailor made projects leading to employment after graduation.

Vidya Poshak has been operating in 19 districts of Karnataka and 5 in Maharashtra. So far, over 16,000+ students (scholars) have been supported with financial assistance. Every year around 3000 villages are covered. Ninety percent of the youth assisted are from rural areas and from vernacular medium of education till 10^th class.

Around 700 senior and student volunteers assist Vidya Poshak in implementing the programmes. To assess the financial need, the volunteers visit dwelling units of the students.

PROGRAM DETAILS

NURTURE MERIT PROGRAM (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE + BOOKS + TRAINING):

It is a well-designed, structured and focused project to support bright students coming from economically challenged families. The project has the following components

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance to continue education post 10th grade, which will cover college fees, exam fees and bus pass. Along with this additional amount for coaching is given for top performers. For some extreme cases (10%) additional amount is also given to cover room and boarding.

Books & Library Services: Free Text books are lent to our student beneficiaries through libraries and Nodal center. Student will get academic text books on their demand to read for 1-year and then the same books are put in circulation.

Residential Bridge Camps: Arranging various skill and need based training for our beneficiaries through residential camps to enhance communication and employment opportunities.

Identification of students is done by physical visits to students dwelling units to assess poverty and need to ensure only deserving applicant received the benefit.

The progress of each student is closely monitored throughout the support period. Contact details of students along with their profiles are provided to donors.

The Graduate Finishing School

The Graduate Finishing School (GFS) is Vidya Poshak’s answer for the problems faced by fresh graduates when entering the job market. GFS is a three month intensive residential program to give graduates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the life skills, computer knowledge, career guidance, soft skills and English skills they need to successfully find meaningful employment. The students are trained every day, twelve hours a day, for three months. The training methodology is learner-centered and learner-led, with daily mentor-led activity sessions in groups of no more than eight. The program helps these students find placement with various companies, mainly in the corporate sector.

Finally, the spirit of Vidyaposhak’s philosophy of holistic empowerment is simply being there for the students. If the students need guidance, counseling or simply someone to call, Vidyaposhak team is eager to take up that role.

VP team strives to build close personal relationships with the students they work with, and do not hesitate to give out their personal contact information and to spend time talking with or counseling students during and outside of work hours.

In short, Vidyaposhak acts as a surrogate or extended family for the needs of the students.

IMPACT 2001-2011

Financial Assistance of Rs 12.01 crore disbursed to 16487 students through Nurture Merit Program.

57000+ books issued to students through 57 book banks & 5 Libraries.

1035 students trained and placed successfully through four Graduate Finishing School centers.

3710 students trained through 77 Residential Bridge Camps

5000+ students & 4037+ teachers have been trained

More than 700+ selfless volunteers donating their valuable time and expertise continuously

Contact:

VENKATESAN . N

Chief Operating Officer COO

Mobile: 9845038017

Email: venkatesh@vidyaposhak.org

Website: www.vidyaposhak.org