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We are on a mission to transform an economically weak neighbourhood of Kolkata into a holistic and self sustaining community by 2030. We want this community to become a model for others.
A holistically developed community is built on four primary pillars of education, health care, self-reliance and sustainability.
Dakshini Prayash is a school of 317 students with 37 teachers,
an empowerment centre of 35 women and 5 admin staff, and a centre for health camps and awareness with 12 support staff.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
From our humble beginnings under a tree, Dakshini Prayash has grown into a thriving organization, driven by hope and a commitment to empowering the underserved community around Madurdaha, Kolkata. Our holistic approach, focusing on Education, Health, Self-Reliance, and Sustainability, has yielded significant progress this year.
We've introduced Class IX, a major milestone for our students. Our collaborations with Teach for India and Antara enhance holistic student development, addressing academic, emotional, and social well-being. Partnership with Social Venture Partners (SVP) drive self-reliance initiatives, while funding for a third building, and our collaboration with Zomato Feed India (providing nutritious meals) further strengthen our capacity to serve.
Looking ahead, we aim to inspire our children to dream bigger, fostering holistic development that includes character, creativity, and community engagement. Strengthening teacher involvement and providing on-the-job training for the transition to English medium are also key priorities.
Dakshini Prayash is more than an organization; it's a family. Your continued support is vital as we work together to empower vulnerable communities in Kolkata, building lives, nurturing dreams, and shaping a self-sufficient tomorrow.
With deepest gratitude,
Anubhuti Prakash
President, Dakshini Prayash
2024 Highlights
admitted to MSV
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complete health
check-up
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marathons regularly,
of which 3 are
podium finishers
received more than
60% marks
received sponsorship
for higher studies
gold medal for
100% attendance
benefiting from the
self-reliance group
of 8/15 women who
work regularly
developed by the
self-reliance team
papaya seeds planted
by students
Ensuring holistic development of children and providing quality education till the secondary level
teachers pursuing 2-year B-Ed Course from Sarif College, Shantipur. 50% of the course fee is sponsored by Dakshini Prayash.
teachers completed the Teacher Leader Programme 2024 on Teach for India's online education platform.
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MSV has collaborated with Teach for India and currently 6
TFI fellows are part of the academic structure of MSV.
They teach English, EVS, and Math in classes I to V along
with our teachers to highlight how to conduct inclusive
classrooms.
A counsellor from Antara - A Psychiatric Hospital and
Rehabilitation Centre in Kolkata visits MSV once a
week to identify slow learners or children with
special needs. We then coach them accordingly.
Pickle Factory Dance Foundation organised a holistic dance workshop for our students with the renowned Bharatnatayam Dancer, Vandana Alasae Hazra.
Through dance they higlighted concepts of mathematics, geometry, science of the body and the history of the form.
They also delved into concepts of music vs noise and tools for strengthening the mind-body awareness, control and connect.
Increase revenue and move
towards supporting the school
financially in 3 years
Partnered with SVP for financial and mentor support. SVP has been instrumental in providing us with ideas, network connects and guidance at every step of the way. They have also pushed us to build systems, upskill our team for better quality and set us up for success.
Building a robust self-reliance team through collaboration and hiring. We have hired a Production Head and an Accounts Head to streamline our operations. For the first time we have collaborated with other NGOs like GRIRR and Reaching Out to meet the increased demands of our products.
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With mPokket’s generous support we have moved closer to our dream of building an empowerment centre for our self-reliance team.
The Bhoomi Puja for the building construction was done in September 2024 and the construction will start soon.
We aim to use this space to motivate our current team and attract more community members.
To improve communitiy’s well-being by enhancing access to quality health services, promoting the availability of nutritious food, and participation in health awareness camps.
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We did thorough screening of blood, stool, urine, height and weight, by paediatricians and gynaecologists in our recent health camps in August. The annual health progress was measured. Free medicines were distributed to studentd with concerns. Few students were referred to Lions Hospital and Antara for specialised intervention.
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Under our Vishwa Asha Program, 10 elderly from the community, without a source of income, receive a food kit once every month. The food kit covers their daily nutrition needs to ensure good health.
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A cervical cancer awareness camp was organized in December with the parents of daughters. This was organized by Rotary Club Belur in collaboration with Narayana Hospital, Howrah.
It was presided by Dr Rupam Paul, who explained the importance of taking the cervical cancer vaccine. The Rotarians encouraged the parents to get their daughters vaccinated free of cost at the school premises.
25 children of 11 to 14 years participated in the Health camps organised by YFLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organisation) along with Apollo Clinic in December.
Eminent Gynaecologist & Obstetrician Dr. Suparna Chowdhury spoke to the children about maintaining health and hygiene during menstruation, taboos around it and healthy food habits during this age.
Chairperson YFLO Kolkadhwa Chirimar also addressed the to-be young ladies about the essence of health and wellness. This was followed by few blood tests, like CBC and Vitamin B12. Fortunately the reports did not indicate any major health problem.
Zomato feeding india has extended their support by sponsoring the mid-day meals for all our students. Breakfast for the coaching section and lunch for the all-day school students, teachers and staff.
This has been a huge financial and nutritional support to us and we are greatful to zomato for this collaboration.
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Our students participated in 10k marathon for the first time and finished it in record time of 43 - 48 minutes.
Some of other girl students were awarded an all-expenses-paid day trip to Ayodhya for their outstanding performance as the 1st runners up in a cricket league organized by Calcutta South Round Table 17 and Calcutta Central Ladies Circle 27!
At Dakshini Prayash, we encourage all our students, regardless of gender, to explore their interests and push their boundaries.
Promote sustainable practices at MSV and create awareness about environment sustainability in the community
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We collaborated with Disappearing Dialogues to sensitize our students on the issue of Wetlands. After a series of workshops and walks around the wetlands, the students deicded to make this the theme of their Annual Program 2024. They performed skits, songs and dances on “Save the Environment” with a focus on wetlands.
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Post School Care (Health, Education and Social Activities)
As the parents belong to economically weaker section of the society, they struggle to make two ends meet and hence can't pay attention nor understand the need for supplementation care that parents are supposed to provide.
Through various health camps, financial independence workshops and other events that involve parents and students, we try to bridge this gap by sensitising parents. Although we realise in the long term we have to develop a program to increase parent’s involvement in school. We also have to engage with them beyond school hours, through home visits and community engagement activities on parenting, holistic development of children, and so on.
Sports Playground for Children
Right now we do not have a sports playground for children. The field in front of the upper primary building is being used only during the winter, when it is cleaned for the sports and cultural program. It remains unused for the rest of the year and is frequented by stray animals.
We have built a sports arena in the school premise itself, although it is in no way sufficient for all our sports needs. In the long run we want to use the empty ground as a shared space with the community, encouraging them to maintain it as well.
Upskilling of Teachers
Currently the teachers are only focussed on providing academic support to the children. They need to understand and align with the bigger goals of holistic development of the children.
Collaborating with TFI is our first step towards this herculean task. We are also in conversation with other organisations that do regular workshops with teachers to equip them better with mental as well as academic tools. This helps them look at the larger goals of the institution and align better.
We are a team of 50 full time members and 18
volunteers across senior and junior committee boards.
Anubhuti Prakash: President, Strategy building,
operations and support across all four verticals.
Mita Mitra: Principal
Swati Mukherjee: HOD, Chairing the education vertical and Madurdaha Satyavritti Vidyalaya.
Soujan Mondol: Admin and Finance coordinator,
operations across all 4 verticals.
Moushumi Kar: Chairing the health vertical and donors liaison
Kuntal Khan: Community liaison
Zainab Begum: Production Manager
Bibek Maity: Financial executive for self-reliance
Priyanka Mukherjee: Program and Fundraising Manager
US TOO!
Collaboration
Upskilling self reliance team with skills like
candle making, block printing, screen printing, crochet and so on.
Digitization and seeting up automation
systems at the organisation.
Support with employement for our
graduating students based on merit
Donations*
Education of students for a year
under Power of Pencil.
Building a playground for our student.
Program
Interactive, and educational arts-integrated
program for students.
Intensive programs integrating the community
with the school.
Sports training or opportunities for the students.
Motivational workshop for self reliance team.
Motivational workshop for self reliance team.
