I just wanted to thank Suas for the wonderful, wonderful team of volunteers that  you have sent us this year. It was truly a great experience to have them with us.

We have had volunteers with us before, but the Suas volunteers are a class apart: they were young, fresh, enthusiastic, fun loving, jovial, spirited and at the same time serious, committed and well organised. 

Their lessons were well planned and hence there were visible learning outcomes. They have all left a deep imprint on the minds of the children that they worked with.

Shubra Chatterji, Director,  Vikramshila                                                                       

Click here to view the teaching resource workbook designed by the 2008 Volunteer team with the assistance of the teachers and children in Vikramshila

The volunteers have come to Jahangirpuri so prepared for teaching the children at Prayas; arts/crafts, making teaching materials and even dancing.

Some of the volunteers this year put their efforts into painting the classrooms which were extremely faded before and required repainting.

I  must thank you for providing us opportunity to work with such wonderful and committed people who have worked so hard with the children of Prayas, and all have accommodated in tough conditions, and also motivated us a lot to improve our work.

Abhishek Pathak, Project Manager, Jahangirpuri

Volunteers undertook many activities this year. These included marking exercises, teaching in specific areas, coaching, conducting talks and organising guest speakers such as on HIV/AIDS. They also had informal talks with the children during lunch and free time.

In addition to ball games they also did teaching on subjects like art and debating. They also organised First Aid training for the teachers and reimbursed the first aid kit. Some volunteers also provided computer training for the teachers, educational trips and also revived the reading club.

Mr Adam Mohammed, Senior Teacher, Maweni Primary school, Mombasa,  Kenya

The volunteers were in school from 8am until about 4.30pm on school days and also sometimes on Saturdays for five or six hours. The Volunteers arriving on Saturdays was a great thing for us.

The Volunteer Programme helps the children to interact and improves their social skills. The children improved their understanding and use of English, including how to write English compositions and answer comprehension questions.

The volunteers worked very hard and put in a lot of extra time.

Extra-curricular activities such as sports and games worked very well because there was enough equipment and materials. The children really enjoyed taking part, particularly with the English league football clubs.

These activities are important because the teachers unfortunately do not have enough time due to large class numbers.

Madame Muoki, Deputy Head teacher, Maweni Primary school, Mombasa, Kenya

Click here to hear Betty Nyagoha (School Manager, Gatoto Primary School, Nairobi ) welcoming the 2007 Volunteer team to Kenya.

Many of the children with Development Action Society (DAS) are the first generation learners.  Watch this short interview with Banasree Mitra, the DAS Education Manager to learn about  DAS and the role of Suas volunteers.