Bandhan: Young Empathy
Bandhan matches privately schooled students in Mumbai to state-schooled ones on a one-on-one basis for their mutual benefit and empowerment
About You
About You
First Name
Natasha
Last Name
Malpani
Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/#!/Natasha_Malpani
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Bandhan: Young Empathy
Organization Website
Organization Country
India
Country where this project is creating social impact
India
Is your organization a
Non‐profit / NGO / Citizen sector organization
Your role in Education
Coach, Resource Officer, Social Worker, Teacher.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Private (tuition-based)
How long has your organization been operating?
Less than a year
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
The inequality divide between students that go to private school versus state school in Mumbai is so large it is almost impossible to bridge through public sector funding. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of Mumbai (BMC) aims to provide free primary schooling and runs over a thousand schools in the city, but acknowledges it does not have enough resources in terms of educational materials or well-trained teachers. On the other hand, the city also has 'world-class' schools that cater to the city's elite and offer an international standard education. We aim to empower students to bridge this large economic and cultural divide themselves.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
The best people to bridge this large economic and cultural divide are the students themselves. The government does not have the resources to attempt to level the playing field- but the children and their families do. Bandhan is a program that will connect children enrolled in private schools to those enrolled in state or municipal schools on a one-on-one basis. The children will be introduced to their counter-parts and be encouraged to learn from each other, and understand each others motivation and background. Bandhan will run play-time activities and fun workshops for classes to break the ice, as well as tutoring help. This will allow children to tackle various problems on their own terms, expose them to social diversity and provide both emotional and leadership development. We will also create forums to organize donations from private schools and students.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
This program will help students enrolled in 'privileged' schools to empathize with their counterparts. Their counterparts will benefit economically and/or academically through our donation programs and workshops. Student can choose in which way they would like to help, and will be matched accordingly.
For example, state-schooled student interested in learning a specific subject can ask to be matched to someone proficient in it. They can also list the academic resources such as specific books or uniforms they need, to ensure the pooled donations are used in the most efficient ways.
Children will additionally be matched through common interests such as sports or films in order to encourage bonding and mutual appreciation and respect.
We will additionally organize games, art workshops and movie screenings to allow children to interact and give them some common ground to build on.
Bandhan will inspire state-schooled students to stay in school and fight for a better education on their own terms, while the 'privileged' children will be encouraged to give back to society from an early age and exposed to greater diversity.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
There are several volunteering programs that allow children from elite schools to volunteer at shelters, slums and teach other children English, computing, etc. However, to our knowledge, Bandhan is the only program that matches children on a one-one basis, and thus encourages real connection, exposure to diversity and empathy.
There are also several educational charities such as Pratham, Akanksha and Hamesha that teach street children, and aim to encourage children in school, and help them receive a better education.We do not see these educational charities as a competitor but instead as a partner and collaborator. We hope to learn from their teaching techniques and help the children they work with both academically and economically.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Bandhan matches privately schooled students in Mumbai to state-schooled ones for their mutual benefit and empowerment.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Bandhan allows students to tackle inequality on their own terms, to actively lead and encourages empathy through experience.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
We aim to match two hundred children over the next year, and to positively change the lives of thousands over the next few.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Have at least one private school and one municipal school registered for the program
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Identify and gain access to private school
Task 2
Identify and gain access to muncipal school
Task 3
Choose selection criteria to match students
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Get the exchange program started- organize activities/workshops/tutorials for both teachers and students
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Match students fairly based on identified criteria
Task 2
Test these matches- do they fit? What needs to be tweaked?
Task 3
Run fun activity/workshop for pairs (that volunteer for it) to encourage bonding
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
I went to one of Mumbai's 'elite' schools, and was very grateful for the great education and opportunities it gave me. On the other hand, the quality of education in some of the city's municipal schools shocked me. I taught children from slums English- and was overwhelmed at the numbers that turned up. I could see there was an obvious mismatch in demand and supply- there were students that wanted to volunteer and help, as well as students that wanted to learn. Why not match the two?
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
We plan to partner with several educational NGOs and charities such as CRY, Pratham, Akanksha and The Doorstep School and private schools in Mumbai such as Bombay Scottish, Cathedral & John Connon School and Bombay International School.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
We will build a network of volunteers from the participating private and municipal schools, made up of both students and teachers to facilitate the program runs smoothly. We will also consult educational experts and leadership coaches for our workshops and tutoring groups.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
I feel I am well-suited to launch this enterprise as I am passionate about the cause, have experience running a social enterprise and have a ready network in place in terms of contacts at some of Mumbai's prominent educational charities as well as private schools. I also enjoy and have experience teaching, and want to share the great education I have been lucky enough to receive.
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 | 66 weeks ago Dara Feldman said: How thoughtful to tap into the students’ empathy and empower them to be of service to students who have less material wealth, yet the ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 69 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 69 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 70 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 71 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
| 73 weeks ago Natasha Malpani updated this Competition Entry. |
