If you are good at teaching young children Tamil or inculcating life skills and health and hygiene lessons among teens and their parents and you have an hour or two every week to spare then Maitri will be happy to have you as a volunteer in its local schools projects.
This R. A. Puram-based NGO celebrated its 7th anniversary last weekend. It works at five Chennai Corporation schools and two aided schools in R A Puram and in Mylapore.
Its focus is in its Montessori education for primary school children and language and life skills training for middle school-level children.
“Our form of education has increased attendance at the schools, ” says Uma Venkat who heads Maitri now. “Parents of these kids have realised the value of education we provide here.”
The NGO needs funds to further its goal and it needs volunteers.
Uma says that volunteers who are fluent in Tamil can help teach children in primary school. Volunteers can also handle classes in math and science for middle-school students.
Maitri is also looking for men and women who can devote time ( say 2 hours weekly) to improve communication, behaviour and life skills in teenage students.
If you wish to lend a hand or donate to Maitri’s projects mail to – vuma68@yahoo.co.in. By the way, only women can volunteer because Chennai Corporation rules must be followed at their co-educational schools.
Photo: Rajagopalan Venkatraman
