Rape is the
fourth common crime India and as of the year 2015, average of 6 rapes and 15
molestations happen in a day. Apart from these assaults, street harassments and
eve teasing cases have increased. And what makes it worse is that family
members, friends and people whom the victims trust were committing 35% of rape
cases (The Indian
Express, 2016). This rampant horrendous case keeps on increasing
every year and the safety of women in India is questionable. Rape is not just a
case. It destroys peoples’ lives, future of the victims and even the people who
surround them.
The current batch under training - August 2016
Colorss
Foundation cares a lot about these helpless women who are unreachable and
afraid, which is why we created this program to provide help and support for
them. Our organisation is currently running the Mission 1000 to provide
intensive self-defense skills workshops to 60 girls at Mahadji Shinde High
School and Junior College in Pune India. This is to increase their confidence
and self-esteem in protecting themselves outside their homes.
Our very own founder, Anand Koti who is well trained in self-defense and
karate, leads this program. He aims to teach these young girls several skills
on how to punch, kick and block assaults. Moreover, he provides advice on how
to strategise and escape when situation arises. The workshop also focuses on
meditation, life-skills sessions and value-based lectures to bring upon a
holistic impact on the lives of these young girls. The project not only makes
the participant strong enough to defend herself but also helps to be proactive
in other areas of life and life-dealings
This program
guarantees absolute increase on level of physical stamina, self-esteem and
confidence on women. As we have been conducting Mission 1000 since 2014, we
accumulated positive feedbacks from our students in India. .
This is the reason why we aim to spread this more to as many women as
possible, to further create awareness to other people around the world and
provide rigorous support and help to the women of India.
We hope to
expand and provide more help to areas that are unreachable and this will not
ever be possible without your help! Please help us protect these women by
reaching out to us through contact@colorss.org or by visiting our website and give securely at http://colorss.org/donate/
[Colorss cannot accept donations from countries other than India]
Lets all be
part of the change and of great help to others!
The
English Language is an essential tool in today’s increasingly globalising
world. Realising the importance of English, Colorss Foundation has decided to
impart this useful language to children at an early age.
As
a result, fifth grade students at Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Technical School, a
Marathi medium school, are now picking up the foundations of the English
language. Their eagerness is contagious, as they enthusiastically participate
in memorising the five vowel letters of English.
English made Easy
As
the English Language is not their mother tongue, students are finding the
English Language a challenge. For this reason Colorss Foundation is
strengthening the students’ basic foundation in the English Language. The
Foundation is also focusing on an English curriculum.
Students enthusiastically
participate in the English lesson
The students’ keen interest in learning English drives
Colorss to continue teaching them this essential language. The Foundation is
confident that as the children learn more about the basics of English, they
will develop stronger cognitive abilities and self-confidence. For this reason,
Colorss Foundation is certain to continue its efforts in teaching students the
English Language at an early age.
Students responding positively to the English lesson
Fun Facts : Colorss Foundation Develops Children’s
Personality
In today’s Fun Facts, we
focus on the efforts Colorss Foundation is
taking to help children develop their personalities to become future leaders of
the next generation.
Why
Develop Personality?
As compared to other social
problems in India such as illiteracy and health concerns, the lack of
personality development seems hardly pressing.
Yet, Colorss Foundation has
realised the long-term implications of an under-developed personality, which
can lead to low self-confidence and an absence of self-image within a child.
India’s social strata today has little place for a female child that shies away
from social situations.
Although women participation
in India’s entrepreneurial field is increasing at a considerable rate, there
remains much room for them to achieve an equality of opportunity with their
male counterparts. With the women sector occupying nearly 45%
of India’s population, the next generation of women in India needs to be better
equipped in skill and personality development to make an impact.
How
Does Colorss Develop Personality?
Colorss Foundation nips this
problem in the bud by encouraging its students to be more expressive and
confident at a young age. In its workshops, Colorss students are pushed to
express their thoughts and feelings in their own words. These thoughts are then
presented to the rest of the class through a short play.
Colorss
Foundation places a strong premium on respecting children’s thoughts. Their
opinions are highly valued and are taken into consideration while activities
are being conducted.
An example is when students
were introduced to the “Sudoku” puzzle matrix. While they were being taught the
rules behind solving the puzzle, the moderators were aware of how many children
were able to grasp the concepts and how many were not. Students were also
challenged to come forward and help solve the puzzle on the blackboard. Their
enthusiasm and eagerness to express their thoughts to the entire class caught
the moderators by surprise. Towards the end of the exercise, the students did
not hesitate to express their growing weariness with the exercise.
Confident
and Intelligent
By taking into consideration
the feelings of the students while providing them with knowledge, Colorss
Foundation cultivates children that are intelligent and yet confident enough in
expressing their thoughts and feelings to others.
With this continued effort,
Colorss Foundation hopes to develop children with positive
emotionality and sociability. In the short-term, this will lead to peer
acceptance, social achievement and psychological well-being. In the long-term,
children at an older age will be confident enough to address the education,
health and gender inequality problems within India’s society.
The LEGO Foundation - RE-iMagine Learning Challenge #Play2Learn
Project Enhance has been named Re-imagine Learning Challenge Pacesetter #Play2Learn for its effort to transform the way the world learns. In the face of critical and complex challenges, we believe that children and young people need to better develop creativity, imaginative problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and inspiration so they can step into leadership roles in pursuit of purpose. Project Enhance joins a global network of groundbreaking projects that are making this dream a reality.
Anand Koti, founder of Colorss with more than 15 years of martial arts training, a second-degree black belt in Karate, and a passion for using his talent to help others reach their potential has come up with this project.
Project Enhance uses a combination of sports (Martial Arts - Karate) and creative arts as vehicles to promote both the physical and mental well-being of underprivileged children in India. Good mental health is not just the absence of a mental disorder; it is a state of well-being where an individual feels confident and ready to cope with the stresses that life sometimes presents.
In India, young girls are viewed as inconsequential, often ignored, or even harassed and molested. Project Enhance aims to empower young girls and boost their self-confidence through a blend of karate and creative arts in hopes that they can one day become educated, productive, and active members in their communities and society.
Self-defense workshops for women and girls are extension of this project.
#socialchange #projectimpact #projectenhance
Objectives:
-Empower young girls
-Promote mental and physical health
-Foster a sense trust, cooperation, confidence, and community
-Encourage values of discipline and responsibility
Students undergoing self-defense techniques under project enhance.. Demonstrating the techniques with our volunteer/inter Neha Shaw (Symbiosis Law School, Pune)
How Can Martial Arts Help?
The art of karate involves integrating the mind and body to condition the physique and enhance self-awareness. When the muscles and brain act in perfect unison, a sense of discipline, mindfulness, and serenity are set in play. Thus, learning to control each movement in a fluid and adaptable fashion produces benefits that outlast practice sessions. Research has shown that karate is associated with positive changes in mood, as well as reductions in anxiety and depression.
Sensi Pervez Mistry, the father of modern martial arts in India, noted: “Karate is generally perceived as a destructive sport. This is a misconception. In fact, the reverse is true. With karate, we can work towards improving health. A willingness and desire to be a better person is developed and self-confidence is built while ego is dampened.”
In fact, martial arts promote both mental and physical health and enforce values such as respect for others, faithfulness, and tranquility, and sincerity. When these qualities act in unison, they can induce relaxation and increase self-confidence. Additionally, many studies have championed the cognitive and behavioral benefits of martial arts. Improvements in self-esteem (Fuller, 1988), positive receptiveness of physical challenges (Richard and Rehberg, 1986; Trulson, 1986), greater autonomy (Duthie, 1978), emotional stability and assertiveness (Konzak and Boudreau, 1984) and reductions in anxiety and depression (Cai, 2000) have all been associated with martial arts training.
To sum it up, Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate, once said, “The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
Sensi Mistry speaks about Anand
Sensi Pervez Mistry is considered to be the father of martial arts in India. He has been the Chief Instructor for the International Okinawa Goju-RyuKarate-do Federation in India for the past 46 years and is the founder of Karate-do in India.
Sensi Pervez Mistry with Anand Koti
“Karate is generally perceived as a destructive sport. This is a misconception. In fact, the reverse is true. With karate, we can work towards improving health. A willingness and desire to be a better person is developed and self-confidence is built while ego is dampened. When Anand met me a few years ago, he was worried whether or not we would be able to manage the program. I was confident from day one that he would succeed. He has struggled and faced hurdles, but he has conquered all of them, in part from the confidence he has gained from martial arts training.
How Can Creative Arts Help?
Creativity and art help reinforce elements of martial arts training, further helping children develop and retain their learned skills. Though its task-based instruction and demanded attention to detail, art cultivates a sense of responsibility, hand-eye coordination, and controlled motor skills. Furthermore, selecting materials and tools, focusing on creating a work of art, and ultimately finishing a project fosters a sense of achievement as well as enhances cognitive skills, decision making skills, and discipline. Furthermore, to maintain and develop awareness of different methods of mind and body control, games, meditation, and dance are incorporated into each creative arts session.
Project Structure:
It consists of 1 hour sessions, twice a week, with 30 minutes of martial arts training and 30 minutes of creative arts. Each martial arts session is a mixture of exercise and meditation. These sessions aim to relax the body muscles and gradually build flexibility and stamina. Each creative arts session includes various exercises in drawing, sketching, dancing, music, acting, brain-stimulation games and story-telling.
Based on child progress, the program introduces longer and higher levels of martial arts and creative arts sessions. Thus, the contents of each session change along with the children’s progress in order to keep challenging and encouraging each child to reach his or her full potential.
Finally, a counseling component is integrated into the program. Professionals work with the children not only to provide a support system, but also to motivate them to succeed, improve communication skills, discuss future careers, and teach them about socially acceptable behavior.
Quote from participant:
I feel very peaceful after joining the karate project. Our teacher is a very cool person and karate benefits us and gives us physical exercise. Karate also helps us develop a better memory and gives physical flexibility to our bodies. There are so many benefits of karate.
How can you contribute?
Volunteer:
Volunteers are our greatest asset. You can contribute by volunteering to conduct workshops in various media of creative and performing arts, such as drawing, counseling, painting, dance, personality development, brain-stimulation games and creative writing. Any other forms of creative art are welcomed as well!
If you want to have self-defense workshops for yourself or your team - please get in touch. We would be happy to train you all.
