iSPiiCE in Action

Read the case studies below and see how you can help make a real difference to the lives of marginalized communities in rural India. As you will see iSPiiCE volunteering offer assistance in material, financial and human form, according to individual needs and project aims. 

Case Study 1: Hodal Primary School

Hodal Village Primary School is a Government run school in the Kangra valley District serving 45 children aged 4-13. As is the case with most Government run schools in India, Hodal PS receives very little funding from the state. iSPiiCE identified Hodal PS as an educational institution in much need of development assistance which could benefit greatly from iSPiiCE intervention.

The Situation at Hodal PS

When iSPiiCE first started work at Hodal PS it was clear that the children’s educational needs were not being met, the children were under achieving and potentials were not being reached.

In this unjust situation the children were at a serious disadvantage; Attendance by the children was very poor and teaching materials and resources were non existent. With the absence of desks the children sat on the dusty floor and had no surface on which to do their work and with no available toilet for either boy or girl they had to cross a heavily trafficked road and relieve themselves in the cover of bushes.

The children were deprived in other areas also, having a direct affect on their learning potential

• Meals given at school offered little nutritional content; hunger and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals affected the children’s concentration.
• The children’s health in general was poor as parents are unable to afford medical care or nutritious food.
• Children’s school uniforms’ were either extremely threadbare or much too small for the child and some did not own a uniform but wore everyday clothes to school.

On entry to the school there was a definite sense of resignation from the staff and low morale among the children.

It was clear that iSPiiCE needed to support the children’s educational needs by offering English lessons delivered by our volunteers and also by providing all the basic provisions and creating the correct environment for the children, to facilitate their learning and enable them to receive their fundamental right to education.

iSPiiCE Intervention

Over a period of three months iSPiiCE introduced 4 International volunteers to teach in Hodal PS. Separating the children into different levels of ability, volunteers taught mostly English and covered many topics from ABC’s to English grammar. To aid learning volunteers also taught songs and devised arts and crafts activities and this move away from rote learning (which is the method used for teaching in Indian state schools) made a significant impact on the children’s holistic development. The children have made tremendous progress in English speaking and writing skills. 

iSPiiCE purchased desks and chairs, offering the children comfortable and clean surroundings and a surface to work on, facilitating better writing skills. Each child now has their own space and they take great pride in their individual desks which has increased their desire to learn.

A toilet was constructed within school grounds, meaning the children no longer have to cross the busy road and use the cover of bushes.

New exercise books and reading books were purchased as well as colour pens, pencils and other school stationary required for effective teaching and learning.

Every child received a brand new uniform; they now can sit in comfortable and clean clothes which fit well. This has improved their confidence and pride.

iSPiiCE arranged for a local doctor to come to Hodal PS to give an individual health check-up to each child. In most cases the children were malnourished and the doctor diagnosed a better diet and an increase in essential vitamins and minerals - these were purchased in tablet form.  Many children were found to be anemic and extra iron supplements were given. The health check-up also involved making a record of the children’s weight, height and health particulars for monitoring purposes.

The children’s attendance at school has increased dramatically since the deliverance of these educational provisions; with more confidence and pride the children have a new found interest in learning. The atmosphere now is one of optimism and the school is filled with happy healthier children eager to learn.

Case Study 2: Sidhpur Women’s Empowerment

Sidhpur is a small community in Dharamsala with a population of 400 people (approx). Most of the families living in the area are from a farming background and with an ever modernizing world existing on their doorstep; they face the frustrating situation of having no means to being a part of its development.

Women in the area are at a particular disadvantage and are often taken out of school at a young age to work the fields or leave home at a young age to marry. With a lack of utilizable skills and limited access to learning this is a situation that is unlikely to be resolved by itself.

iSPiiCE intervention

iSPiiCE have assisted in breaking this cycle by introducing volunteers to teach both English and IT skills to the women of Sidhpur. Rooms are hired from resident families and daily lessons are delivered in small groups to ensure maximum benefit. Not only is money given for rent of the rooms but household electricity bills are paid to the families giving some financial assistance to help support their families better.

Possessing skills in English and IT are of great importance to the ladies and they value the lessons highly. By Improving their communication and educational skills their chance of employment in work other than agriculture is increased dramatically. The ladies status in society improves also giving them more freedom to make their own choices regarding their future.

As well as the educational benefits, classes have promoted community involvement and act as a platform for the ladies to create important social networks and new found friendships. Their shared interest has not only enhanced their personal growth but has also made them feel as worthy contributors towards the development of the community as a whole.

Other Benefits to the Community of Sidhpur

The children of Sidhpur have also benefited from iSPiiCE intervention and volunteers have offered their time, giving after school tuition to younger girls and boys in the village.

iSPiiCE’s principle aim is to aid the holistic development of communities in rural India, however we are flexible in our offerings and sensitive to individual cases of hardship. When a recent accident prevented one of the men in the Sidpur community from working for two months iSPiiCE offered to pay his medical fees and gave extra financial assistance to help him support his family through the difficult time.

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