impact storIes
Manish Konojiya
Manish is a 17-year-old young man who moved to Delhi with his family in 2011. He dreams of joining the Indian Army one day. What drew him to the idea of signing up for Udaan classes was that they were free of cost. He speaks of how his family was doubtful of the quality of education that he would receive at a free facility such as Udaan. Upon finding computer classes at Udaan however, he was delighted and brought his family on board.
Manish was a very quiet boy when he joined. He admits he was slow to understand what was being taught and this led him to doubt his abilities. He would get tremendously anxious when it came to talking, even if it was to explain something to his own siblings. Today Manish believes that he has somewhat outgrown this difficulty. He talks about the tenderness shown to him whilst he was being taught. He believes this encouragement and patience is what helped him blossom and settle into higher levels of confidence. Rohit, a core team member, recalls how proud he felt of Manish one day when Manish scored in a test after his initial struggle.
Today Manish is no longer shy to ask questions, he communicates with his peers happily and is particularly pleased with his ability to explain concepts to his sisters! He has also shown a huge shift in his attitude towards learning the English language. What he was initially fearful to attempt—learning or speaking—he now does his best to grasp. Manish also appreciates that at Udaan he can explore his areas of interest, he can request a class or session relating to an interest and the core team arranges it. Today, he is glad that he made the choice to sign up for classes with Udaan because after what he has experienced, he believes that receiving something for free does not mean that it lacks value. Everyone at Udaan is absolutely delighted to see how far Manish has grown. We are thrilled to have watched him overcome his fears by simply trying.
Manish was a very quiet boy when he joined. He admits he was slow to understand what was being taught and this led him to doubt his abilities. He would get tremendously anxious when it came to talking, even if it was to explain something to his own siblings. Today Manish believes that he has somewhat outgrown this difficulty. He talks about the tenderness shown to him whilst he was being taught. He believes this encouragement and patience is what helped him blossom and settle into higher levels of confidence. Rohit, a core team member, recalls how proud he felt of Manish one day when Manish scored in a test after his initial struggle.
Today Manish is no longer shy to ask questions, he communicates with his peers happily and is particularly pleased with his ability to explain concepts to his sisters! He has also shown a huge shift in his attitude towards learning the English language. What he was initially fearful to attempt—learning or speaking—he now does his best to grasp. Manish also appreciates that at Udaan he can explore his areas of interest, he can request a class or session relating to an interest and the core team arranges it. Today, he is glad that he made the choice to sign up for classes with Udaan because after what he has experienced, he believes that receiving something for free does not mean that it lacks value. Everyone at Udaan is absolutely delighted to see how far Manish has grown. We are thrilled to have watched him overcome his fears by simply trying.
Amit Kumar Thakur
Amit aspires to become a software engineer! Udaan was recommended to Amit by a friend. He signed up in the month of November 2018. Starting off with the Computer Basics class, he then took up Hardware Networking, MS Excel, and English.
Amit feels he has benefitted from the quality of education he receives. He explains how every teacher is flexible and applies different methods to teach. Amit was able to grasp concepts and be unafraid to ask questions at Udaan, something not common in his school classes. He treasures the time he has at Udaan because he feels seen and heard here. He believes that having the skills to do a certain task or job is good but that it must go hand in hand with self-belief. Amit says he has never before experienced an environment where the people surrounding him were keen on inspiring or motivating one another. He says Udaan has made a monumental difference to him.
Amit recalls a particular experience at Udaan during its annual day, “Jashne Udaan”. The children were in charge of executing the event and Amit was made the leader of the hospitality team. He believes he learnt a great deal about teamwork, delegation and how to take care of a team, an ability he did not know he possessed. The experience instilled in him confidence that he would be able to do the same in the future. He talks about how in school, the students who perform the best are the only ones who get the opportunity to be on a stage or take part in events such as an annual day celebration. At Udaan, everyone is included.
Amit feels he has benefitted from the quality of education he receives. He explains how every teacher is flexible and applies different methods to teach. Amit was able to grasp concepts and be unafraid to ask questions at Udaan, something not common in his school classes. He treasures the time he has at Udaan because he feels seen and heard here. He believes that having the skills to do a certain task or job is good but that it must go hand in hand with self-belief. Amit says he has never before experienced an environment where the people surrounding him were keen on inspiring or motivating one another. He says Udaan has made a monumental difference to him.
Amit recalls a particular experience at Udaan during its annual day, “Jashne Udaan”. The children were in charge of executing the event and Amit was made the leader of the hospitality team. He believes he learnt a great deal about teamwork, delegation and how to take care of a team, an ability he did not know he possessed. The experience instilled in him confidence that he would be able to do the same in the future. He talks about how in school, the students who perform the best are the only ones who get the opportunity to be on a stage or take part in events such as an annual day celebration. At Udaan, everyone is included.
Anil Kumar (Anil Junior)
Anil cherishes the familial bond that he has developed with the students he teaches at Udaan and with his peers tremendously. Udaan, to him, is a place where he can find comfort in friendship and encouragement.
Along with teaching a class, he also attends English classes and has come a long way from his initial shy nature. He recalls a specific class, during his initial days, that taught him a valuable lesson. Anil was too shy to attend this class for which he was required to participate in a role play with a partner. Looking back, he feels he let down his partner by choosing not to attend. He has learnt at Udaan the meaning of accountability. This has little to do with academic education. It is more to do with becoming a responsible member of his community, something that he knows will help him throughout his life. To Anil, Udaan is not only a place that encourages him educationally but it is a family that will care for his wellbeing.
Along with teaching a class, he also attends English classes and has come a long way from his initial shy nature. He recalls a specific class, during his initial days, that taught him a valuable lesson. Anil was too shy to attend this class for which he was required to participate in a role play with a partner. Looking back, he feels he let down his partner by choosing not to attend. He has learnt at Udaan the meaning of accountability. This has little to do with academic education. It is more to do with becoming a responsible member of his community, something that he knows will help him throughout his life. To Anil, Udaan is not only a place that encourages him educationally but it is a family that will care for his wellbeing.
Ganeev
To Ganeev, Udaan has been a space where she has found deep joy in engaging with and sharing
energy with like minded children (and teachers!). Time spent at Udaan has always been a glorious
and welcome contrast to the mundane, albeit necessary, structure followed at school. This is
especially because at Udaan, she finds the opportunity to share ideas with, encourage and be
encouraged by others. This is exciting and different compared with how in a formal school students
are segregated by age and not passion.
Cultivating interests whilst sharing a space with others has helped Ganeev to hone her abilities and find clarity in the paths she may take in future. She deeply values this and speaks of how Udaan makes a difference.
As we speak of a growing child (she is currently eleven years old), it is important to highlight the impact Udaan and her time previously at Manzil have had on her nature. Ganeev has noted in herself a greater sensitivity to the needs of others. This is something that brings to light the positive influence that a space like Udaan has on youngsters. Her interactions have also enabled her to become comfortable with being more socially active. This will be valuable to her in future.
Cultivating interests whilst sharing a space with others has helped Ganeev to hone her abilities and find clarity in the paths she may take in future. She deeply values this and speaks of how Udaan makes a difference.
As we speak of a growing child (she is currently eleven years old), it is important to highlight the impact Udaan and her time previously at Manzil have had on her nature. Ganeev has noted in herself a greater sensitivity to the needs of others. This is something that brings to light the positive influence that a space like Udaan has on youngsters. Her interactions have also enabled her to become comfortable with being more socially active. This will be valuable to her in future.
Sheetal
Sheetal is a cheerful 18-year-old girl who joined Udaan in 2018. She took up Computer and English classes. Sheetal feels she has changed for the better. She is able to focus on her learning. She talks of how in school she gets demotivated because when she does not grasp a topic, the label of having failed is stamped on her. This disappoints Sheetal and her family. Sheetal appreciates that in Udaan, she can learn the same subject or topic as many times as it takes to understand it and not feel disappointed with herself. At Udaan, not clearing an exam simply means that she needs to improve rather than consider herself a failure.
Sheetal also appreciates how her friends enjoy talking about the knowledge they gained during their classes! Interacting with peers with such positive attitudes has influenced her. Apart from her education, Sheetal also feels her communication skills have improved.
Sheetal has a medical condition that needs attention. Udaan was able to help by taking care of her visits to a reputed neurologist and ensuring that she had access to appropriate medication.
Sheetal also appreciates how her friends enjoy talking about the knowledge they gained during their classes! Interacting with peers with such positive attitudes has influenced her. Apart from her education, Sheetal also feels her communication skills have improved.
Sheetal has a medical condition that needs attention. Udaan was able to help by taking care of her visits to a reputed neurologist and ensuring that she had access to appropriate medication.
Suraj
Suraj was Udaan’s first student!
To Suraj, Udaan has been a place where he has gotten to understand where his interests lie. He is able to grasp concepts and material in a manner that will assist him in applying what he learnt to the work he will be doing in his future. Having previously attended a year-long course on computers, he is able to comment on the difference between such courses and what he is exposed to at Udaan. He believes the real learning happened when he was at Manzil and Udaan where the emphasis on application-based learning was strong. The previous course he had attended focused more on learning information rather than knowing how to use this information for everyday life and work related activities. Suraj currently works in the IT department of Pluswealth Capital Management LLP. He is also pursuing his bachelor’s degree through distance learning.
Suraj calls Udaan a safe space for learning. A place where you are encouraged rather than made to feel ashamed when you make mistakes. It is where he believes he learnt the importance of taking responsibilities seriously. His attitude and thirst for learning along with his hard-working and helpful nature has opened up opportunities for him. He has been promoted three times in one year at the trading company! He says, words cannot describe how special the Udaan family is to him.
To Suraj, Udaan has been a place where he has gotten to understand where his interests lie. He is able to grasp concepts and material in a manner that will assist him in applying what he learnt to the work he will be doing in his future. Having previously attended a year-long course on computers, he is able to comment on the difference between such courses and what he is exposed to at Udaan. He believes the real learning happened when he was at Manzil and Udaan where the emphasis on application-based learning was strong. The previous course he had attended focused more on learning information rather than knowing how to use this information for everyday life and work related activities. Suraj currently works in the IT department of Pluswealth Capital Management LLP. He is also pursuing his bachelor’s degree through distance learning.
Suraj calls Udaan a safe space for learning. A place where you are encouraged rather than made to feel ashamed when you make mistakes. It is where he believes he learnt the importance of taking responsibilities seriously. His attitude and thirst for learning along with his hard-working and helpful nature has opened up opportunities for him. He has been promoted three times in one year at the trading company! He says, words cannot describe how special the Udaan family is to him.