Ashirwad Computer Education

FULORA FOUNDATION’S “ASHIRWAD” Computer institute, which aims, through moral & academic excellence, to produce promoters of social transformation imbued with the sprit of service to mankind. The institute endeavors to develop & maintain high moral & academic standards, in a close-knit family atmosphere that inculcates self-discipline in studies & future life.

Education today is almost considered incomplete without at least a basic knowledge of computers. Ashirwad Computer Institute will provide free basic computer education to the deprived and street children and people from low-income families who cannot afford the high fees of other.

Over 3,00,000 children still live on the streets of our towns and cities. Around 11,10,00,000 are forced by circumstances to do some form of work. Out of that number, over 1,50,00,000 are bonded labourers. The fate of the girl child is even more disturbing. One out of every six girl children does not live to see her 15th birthday. One-third of those deaths take place at birth. Many of these deaths are due to gender discrimination.

So, even though we have been able to make a difference, there’s still a lot more to be done. There are millions of children who still need our help. The dream of providing education for all Indians can be translated into a reality only if there is qualitative and quantitative participation of grass root institutions.

This project is aimed at taking the benefits of the developments in information technology to the common man in deprived areas and to facilitate dissemination of information on social development to the deprived public at a low cost. The program is aimed at enhancing the depth and in bringing about a qualitative enrichment; in the teaming process, we would have a technology classroom, with a television monitor and computer interface.

Teaching modules which would supplement the teacher would be provided, to enhance the learning process and for enriching the quality of education. “We have been trying to involve the industrial, academic and social group in this scheme. “We hope to bring in as many as 60,000 students, if the pilot phase proves to be a success. But that will involve huge efforts and the budgetary allocation will have to be substantial,” We are creating a special Trust Fund to set up this Computer Institute and learning assistance for students from low income families as well as Street Children.

We hope to raise funds from the business community. We welcome even public donations as well. We are worried over the growing number of child beggars in the city, We want to create, a 24-hour help line for children in distress, along with a few activists and voluntary agencies (NGOs), and even want to launch a preventive campaign, under the campaign, informal schools and day care centres are being opened for child beggars, and picketing and poster campaigns will be carried out at main traffic squares in the city to stop people from giving alms to child beggars.

The approach contains confidence-building measures in the first stabilizing period, re-establishing trustworthy human relationships, development of individual action plans enhancing the possibility for sustainable rehabilitation of each child/youth, developing the economic potential and economical independence, developing life scenarios for post rehabilitation, establishing support networks / live-in collectives among youth, involvement of families before reunion take place and finding alternatives to family reunion such as foster parenting is our aim.

A software system for computerizing and centralizing all student records would be designed. Thus administrative, counseling and housekeeping by a close knit staff who know each resident’s needs individually. The Home is enhanced by classical music playing softly in the background. The walls are decorated with antique paintings and beautiful mahogany furniture.

A beloved feature at Astitva Home is the well-stocked library and sitting room, where residents and their parents can sit quietly and read in a warm, intimate atmosphere, or chat with family and friends. Other areas of the home are pleasantly decorated with photos and works of art and there is a large auditorium for religious and social events. The huge array of recreational activities include an arts and crafts program; a horticulture program; current events; discussion and support groups; pet therapy to allow for the mutual nurturing that is natural between humans and responsive animals; a Sunday morning breakfast club – for cooking and socialization; wheel-chair dancing – where everyone can join in the fun; cooking and sewing groups; holiday celebrations; religious services, exercise/movement classes, music and cultural food treats; a strolling musician to please residents with their favorite tunes; card games; bingo; outings to sporting events, movies and shopping areas; birthday parties; special seasonal events; concerts; barbecues; and an inter-generational program where both residents and young people can benefit socially, emotionally and intellectually from spending time together.

Located in the heart of Thane District, at Khardi, Taluka Shahapur on Mumbai Kasara local Railway Station and at the walking distances, easily accessible by car and public transportation from Mumbai and Nashik. Astitva is a non-profit organisation. Much of the income goes into the monthly rent of the school premises and the charges of the specialists. Donations have been slow in coming as there is little awareness about the needs of these special children. Lack of space is also becoming a huge constraint, and many needy children may be turned away or denied of the services of the institution if they are unable to raise the funds to expand.