Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100759770400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Mentorship programme targets 1,000 students

Staff Reporter

Bhumi, an NGO, signs MoU with Collector to scale up its programme

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Encouragement: Amala Akkineni giving away the award to the successful students of Dronacharya Ekalavya mentoring programme on Monday. —

HYDERABAD: Making a difference is as difficult as sustaining the zeal to make a difference. And this was perhaps the biggest lesson that volunteers of Bhumi, a city-based NGO have learnt. The organisation has signed an MoU with the Hyderabad Collector Naveen Mittal to scale up its unique mentorship program -- Dronacharya and Ekalavya Tutoring Mentoring Program (DnE) to reach out to nearly 1,000 government schoolchildren studying in ninth and 10th standard in 10 schools.

The program, now in its third phase, has helped improve the class 10 pass percentage apart from encouraging parents to get their children educated.

Talking to pressperson on Monday, Mr. Mittal said the program had benefited not just the students but also the mentors. “Being a mentor is a difficult and challenging task,” he said. “The program aims at providing positive role models to these children who are otherwise influenced by negative role models in society,” said Mujeeb Khan, president, Bhumi. Over 1,000 mentors and 200 tutors are expected to be part of this program, most of them college-going students. Mentors have to undergo a certified training program. Efforts are also on to rope in NSS volunteers for the programme.

“It is time that the gap between have’s and have-nots is bridged and it is the onus of the have’s to bride this gap,” said Amala Akkineni, brand ambassador of the program. She also promised to go to colleges and other institutes to encourage students to take up this challenging task.

Later, the Collector handed over certificates to mentors and shields to students of the Rasoolpura School, who were a part of the mentorship program. Mr. Ashwin, CEO, Big 92.7 FM, media partner, was also present. Those interested to participate in the program can apply online at www.bhumi.in or call 98669-92671, 97034-31622 and 90006-05120.