By Anish Ramachandran | CEO (Hon.)
We at, One Billion Literates Foundation, were delighted to have hosted a truly magical evening on March 3rd 2023. This was part of our attempt to create spaces and platforms that foster dialogs on social impact work and enable our partners, friends and well-wishers to come together and engage meaningfully.
We were overjoyed to meet many of you in person, discuss ideas, and exchange stories. And while some of you couldn't join us, we want to extend this conversation and give all our supporters a glimpse of how the evening went!
It was a cozy, close-knit event with the sole intent to enable a better understanding of what social impact work really means, the challenges that remian and relay our stories of impact beyond fancy dashboards and theories of change.
We were fortunate to have Ms. Uma Mahadevan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Panchayat Raj), Government of Karnataka, grace the evening with her presence. We also hosted a special 'experience center' - a collection of impages and stories that provided a glimpse into the lives of our students, teachers, and front line health workers. It showcased the growth and impact our programs in Anekal Taluk over the last thirteen years, and the challenges we face in our mission to promote literacy, education and health.
From human libraries and photobooks to impact maps of Anekal (our area of operation), we were delighter to have you take a peek into the daily lives of our team!
The event started with our students demonstrating an interactive activity where they practised ordering food at a restaurant and spoke in English. This activity helps them overcome language barriers and develop communication skills that are essential for their personal and professional growth. We were proud to see these students get on stage for the first time, and engage with the audience with poise and conviction.
Meanwhile, the students from our adopted rag picker community taught us a new son! How to clap afterwards, and say YES! to life!
The community faces social stigma, health hazards, and economic insecurity due to their occupation. OBLF is providing them with education, healthcare, and vocational training to help them break the cycle of heart rending poverty and lead dignified lives.
Then came along Zoya and Yashsaswini to strengthen our beliefs in the work we do! The oppotunities, the lives that changes, and the gratitude!
Both of them are alums of the OBLF English language program and it was incredibly fulfilling to watch them share their journeys, their struggles and their aspirations.
Not only for students but the positive impact of our efforts in Anekal has translated into empowerment and agency for the women who work with us!
"I like wearing churidars, but in my colony I have to wear a saree. But today, here, I feel free to have come wearing my favority churidar", said Puttamma to a thunderous applause from the audience.
From speaking at a panel to becoming comfortable in their being, we were elated to see these women come such a long way. They shared their journeys with OBLF, and their inspirations to continue. Listening to them was rewarding on its own!
"When the civil society comes together with the government, the possibilities of change are endless" said Ms. Mahadevan
Ms. Uma Mahadevan spoke to each and every heart in the audience when she enlisted the importance of collaboration between society and the government. As citizens, our responsibilities to uplift others become our contribution.
This evening was our attempt in reaching out to our people, letting them take a peek into our experiences and learnings. It was a hopeful start in initiating a dialog that can motivate us all to do our part.
We invite you to join us in our mission to empower underprivileged communities. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children and youth who deserve a better future.
Thank you again, for being with wish on our journey.
We are eternally grateful!
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