Program Report: Seeds of Awareness (SOA)

Date of Activity: 22nd October 2024
Reported by: Pema Dechan, Intern
Venue: Manjushri Educational Library, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala
Total Participants: 5 children

Specific Activities Conducted

• Storytelling: Reading The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• Q&A Discussion: Reflective questions on empathy and inclusion

Key Objective

The primary objective of this session was to cultivate empathy and inclusion among children by engaging them in thoughtful activities that emphasize the importance of recognizing and including others.

Resource Persons

• Sonam: Finance Officer
• Pema Dechan: Intern

Program Activities Update

Introduction to the Seeds of Awareness Program

The Seeds of Awareness program, in collaboration with Manjushri Educational Services, seeks to encourage children’s emotional and intellectual growth through storytelling and interactive discussions. This session centered around the themes of empathy and inclusion, brought to life through The Invisible Boy.

Methodology

1. Program Introduction
   • The session began with participant introductions and a brief overview of The Invisible Boy. The concept of empathy and inclusion was introduced through the story’s themes.
2. Storytelling and Interactive Activity
   • The storytelling session lasted about 15 minutes, narrating a story of a boy who feels invisible until a classmate includes him, promoting inclusivity.
   • An interactive Q&A followed, prompting students to reflect on their own experiences with inclusion or exclusion. However, younger participants found these concepts challenging.
   • Follow-up activities, such as a teamwork relay and a discussion on key story moments, proved less engaging for younger children, impacting their ability to remain focused.

Challenges Encountered

The session was designed for 5th-grade students, but younger children, approximately four years old, attended instead. This resulted in comprehension challenges and reduced engagement among the younger participants.

Lessons Learned

The activities were more suited to older children. Future sessions may require adjustments to account for mixed-age groups.

Suggestions for Future Improvement

• Ensure age-appropriate participants are selected for activities to enhance engagement.
• Prepare alternative, age-appropriate activities to accommodate unexpected changes in participant age.

Potential Success Story

One older student actively participated in the discussion, sharing personal stories and demonstrating empathy towards peers. This engagement illustrated the effectiveness of the storytelling approach in fostering emotional awareness.

Activity status: Completed