Mentoring Programs – An overview
Mentoring programs at Kriti were part of Project Disha since its inception. We believe that the mentoring program has a high impact in keeping the children in school and helps them aim higher thus motivating them to study
Mentoring for students in Grade 9 and 10:
Project Disha mainly gives scholarships up to grade 10 which is considered a “basic education” level. Many employers consider candidates who are educated at least to this level. Once they complete grade 10, the children begin thinking about their careers and future study options. As the education they received so far was mainly academic, this mentoring program was adapted to teach them life skills and soft skills. This mentoring is being done online during the Covid years 2020 and now being conducted in mixed mode.
During Covid, the physical mode of mentoring did not work. The program went through an overhaul in 2020. As schools moved to using the online mode of education, we also considered this option to reach out to the students in a similar manner. Currently with physical classes going back to normal, we have structured an online/offline mode for the mentoring program.
Some of the highlights of the program are below:
- Mentoring sessions are designed for students in grades 9 and 10.
- About 10-12 session topics are chosen and each session is conducted over weekends for a time of 1-2 hours.
- Children are divided into small groups along with 1-2 mentors with a mentor to student ratio of 1:2 or 1:3.
- Each group (mentors and students) meets on Saturdays or Sundays based on a mutually agreed time.
- Physical sessions were conducted at our office and online, via Zoom, Meet or other platform.
- Added benefit that Mentors doing the virtual programs could reside anywhere and yet, impact the students in this program.
- All the material for the sessions are provided to the mentors who are also given Orientation sessions to better understand the material in the context of these children.
- Knowledge of Hindi or Telugu is required for mentors to conduct these sessions, so that they may interact better with the students.
- Overall, mentors need to commit to around 5-6 hours per month with about 4 hours needed to conduct the sessions (2 sessions X 2) and the remaining time needed for preparing for the material.
We have successfully completed this format of mentoring since 2020-21 using this format. Volunteer testimonials are located here
Grade 9 and 10 Children taking part in a workshop on the 50th anniversary of Moon Landing
Mentors orientation
Students of class 10th visited Punjab Regiment , interacted with the soldiers and got inspired by Major Shashank.
Zoom Mentoring Session for Grade 10 Students
Student attends the Online Mentoring session
Parents counseling session and orientation about Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program
