Gift Self-Defense workshop to women/girls & Make them STRONG

Gift Self-Defense workshop to women/girls who can't afford learning these skills and neither have the privilege of feeling safe 24x7. The male-hood needs to be groomed and trained on respecting the womanhood. Parents, schools and life-values needs to be pressed in properly. Waiting for the society values to get unlearned will take time. 

However, learning a skill to protect the self and the body is no harm and it should be encouraged. It actually increases confidence and builds the strength among the girls/women. It not only promotes stronger physiology it also helps at psychological level. One of the promising projects at Colorss Foundation, Mission 1000 is focused on training young girls and women in self-defense techniques. Mission 1000 aims to reach out to at least 1000 underprivileged women and girls every year. By equipping each child with self-defense skills, Mission 1000 hopes to tackle the sexual abuse, which include harassment, assault and rape, against women in India. As Mission 1000 believes in providing free-of-charge self-defense workshops, this programme largely relies on donated funds.

Taught by the founder of Colorss himself, Anand Koti, the students have been learning several skills on how to punch, kick and block assaults. Each child has also left each session with a boost in her stamina, self-esteem and confidence.

Mission 1000 makes a difference to the lives of these young women. Those who have completed the Mission 1000 workshops express gratitude in learning self-defense. Some have even taught these skills to their own family members. The daily fear of being harassed is now a thing of the past for many of these young women, who are now more confident in interacting with society. Students undergoing Mission 1000 workshops will leave with a certificate and a new set of skills that they can use to protect themselves and their future. Along with learning kicks, punches, blocks and self-defense techniques the girls also enjoy meditation, which is also the part of the workshop. Meditation has helped the girls release stress.

Karate is one thing which will increase our confidence and make our body fitter and stronger. It has helped me a lot after learning Karate. This has given me strength to face someone in any situation. Earlier if I used to go alone, me and my parents we used to worry. But now we all are more confident. I have changed a lot in positive way after learning Karate. I would like to thank our school teachers who thought about us and arranged for Karate classes. I would also like to thank Pooja Teacher and Karate Sir for their efforts.  Manisha V one of our beneficiary. 

Please help us protect these young women by helping us sustain these Mission 1000 workshops. Be part of the Mission 1000 movement by reaching out to us at emailcolorss@gmail.com or visit our website to give securely at http://colorss.org/donate/. 

GET TO KNOW US: Palak Nagar

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH VOLUNTEER PALAK NAGAR

"Get to know the real social changers behind the efforts of Colorss Foundation. Today's spotlight is on Palak Nagar, a volunteer at the Foundation that helped develop the second version of our Quick Self Defense Application for all Android platforms. Aside from being endowed with computer skills at her fingertips, Palak also has a genuine passion in helping women." 

Palak Nagar is a Computer Science Engineer with a passion in helping women.

Join us as we get to know her better!

Who is your inspirational role model? My father.

When I’m not volunteering, I’m a Computer Science Engineer.

I have been volunteering with Colorss for one year.

In Colorss Foundation, I am involved in Project Enhance.

Why did you volunteer at Colorss Foundation? I volunteered at Colorss because this organisation basically works for women. Through this organisation, many girls have learned self-defence, which is very worthwhile in today’s era.

I like volunteering at Colorss Foundation because I like the attitude the Foundation has towards each other and towards every human being. Its members are very kind, helpful and highly understanding. They understand the circumstances of everyone.

What have you learned from volunteering at Colorss? I have learned a little bit of self-defense, especially the easy techniques. I picked this up while developing the Self Defense Application. As I am also a girl, I need to learn self-defense to help overcome bad situations.

To check out the Self-Defense Application that Palak helped develop, download the app from the Google Play Store here.

Job Opportunity at Colorss : Job Description

 Job Description:

Colorss Foundation is looking for spirited and motivated individuals to work with them on part time basis in order to expand their current operations. The position is for Baroda and Pune. The role would give a unique opportunity to the applicant to experience various facets of a rising NGO.  Key functional areas include project management, fund raising, people management and spreading awareness. Key responsibilities under these functional areas would be the following:

Fund Raising:

1.       Making presentations to potential donors/sponsors

2.       Increasing awareness among any potential donors/sponsors

People & Project Management:

1.       Co-ordinate with students/executives willing to volunteer over the weekends

2.       Increase the level of motivation among children enrolled in current programs and execute the projects

3.       Maintain a healthy relationship with the schools where we currently operate.

4.       Create reports & database needed for later reference and corporate pitches

Other than the monetary benefits, the organization would provide much sought after experience/ recommendation certificates (Only up on proving once credibility)

Candidates Pre requisites:

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1.       Candidate should be passionate and self-motivated towards the idea of social change projects.

2.       Should be mobile and knowledgeable about the city for corporate visits.

3.       Candidate should be willing to spend around 10 hours a week.

4.       Prior teaching experience is preferable but not mandatory.

How to Apply

Send your resume along with along with a cover letter and email at: emailcolorss@gmail.com | contact@colorss.org - mention in the subject the location for which you are applying i.e Baroda or Pune.

Organization Profile:

Colorss Foundation was founded in the year of 2008 with an objective of bringing a massive social change in the society by imparting education using creative and innovative methods. Since then many action driven and research oriented projects have come into existence here and have been instrumental in achieving the purpose of this mission. The organization's vision is to empower the under privileged students to become ideal and value-driven individuals. Please follow the following links to gain a deeper insight of Colorss:

                                                 

w: Colorss Website

b: www.colorss.blogspot.com

facebook page: ColorssFoundation

facebook group: ColorssFoundation

youtube: ColorssFoundation

Part-time Openings at Colorss for Baroda and Pune

Colorss Foundation is offering a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable experience, while also making a positive impact on society. If helping the underprivileged women and children of India is something that appeals to you, a part-time role with Colorss Foundation is the perfect opportunity to give back to the people of India, while also making your CV stand out.

Colorss Foundation is an Indian NGO that works towards enhancing the lives of less fortunate children and women through the use of art and technology. For many children and women in India, access to quality education is simply not a reality. This lack of resources and training leads to a vicious cycle of poverty, which continues through generations and is almost inescapable. Colorss Foundation takes an innovative approach to this issue and provides these children with invaluable skills, and more importantly, the confidence to lead successful lives on their own terms.

Colorss currently has an amazing opportunity for a part-time employee based in Pune and Baroda. The successful applicant will be fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi [for Pune] and Gujarati [for Baroda] and be internet savvy. Access to two-wheeler and indepth knowledge of Pune city / Baroda city will definitely be advantageous, also. The role involves project management, volunteer coordination and corporate presentation. This will be a 4-5 hour commitment daily.

If you think your values and goals align with the vision of Colorss Foundation, a part-time role with the organization could be a perfect match. This opportunity will allow you to display leadership qualities and take initiative in your career. We believe that a positive change in society can be achieved by breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. To help us in our goal, contact Colorss today and help us in our quest to liberate the ostracized members of society.

For Love,

Adding a Little “Color” to my life!!!! - Sundar Sarma | Colorss Foundation

Adding a Little “Color” to my life!!!!

It was September of 2012 that I met this old friend of mine, by sheer chance, after a long gap of close to 12 years and boy it did turn out to be the best catch up sessions I have had in years. Before you jump the gun, No – it was not that we were the best of friends or were inseparable when we were in touch in the nineties, but yes – our association was definitely way better than those of preferred acquaintances. So it was not about discussing those lovely summers that we spent playing together, but more about some wonderful things that he has been doing over the past few years. It was about COLORSS, the organization or should I say the institution that he founded in 2008 and the tireless efforts that he and his team have been putting in to get it where it is today. This was the same time when most of us, in the same group as teenagers in the nineties, were busy raking in the moolah for ourselves somewhere out there in the marketplace. Not that I am feeling bad about what I did and achieved over the years, but I am definitely happier and filled with a sense of pride at what Anand Koti, this friend of mine dared to do - give up a corporate career and set up Colorss – the foundation.

A rose for Sundar Sarma @ vocational training program #Baroda

With a central idea that children are indeed the colors in our life and recognizing the fact that not all these colors are as bright and impactful as they need to be, he set out with his dynamic team to ensure that they help rediscover the radiance of the “colors” lost in the cloud of economic and social hopelessness. Their simple idea, as I was able to understand, was to empower these socially underprivileged children by helping build a better self esteem, creating a sense of pride in them and preparing them for greater responsibilities in life. There were no free meals, clothing or shelter on offer, but there was a promise of a better life where one could live with the head held high.  Their projects right from “Colors of Life” which talks about developing faculties like writing and expressing through painting or “Urja” which aims at developing a vocational skill or my favorite “Enhance” which uses techniques like martial arts and other creative skills to help develop self esteem in an individual were very different from the ones usually seen or experienced. So along with education, these children are provided with avenues where they could put their evident or latent skills to good use to discover their inner potentials and feel good about themselves. They are guided on the importance of honing these skills with the right kind of focus and discipline which holds them in good stead for whatever they decide to take up in the future. I have always believed, that great individuals achieve greatness in whatever they do, and greatness is a direct function of confidence which in turn is directly proportional to one’s state of happiness. And generally, one is happy when one feels good about oneself i.e. when one has a high self esteem. I am not a psychology expert and I am sure Anand will have a few thoughts about my ramblings considering his psychology background, but I see things in a certain manner and this manner compels me to believe that Colorss has hit the nail right on the head when it comes to understanding the current socio-economic context of our country and has come up with some unique and thought provoking projects to address some of the key issues faced by the socially less privileged.

Why only socially less privileged, helping any child develop his or her self esteem is one of the best service possible in today’s day and times, but I have to say that it is a great start. Another wonderful thing about these projects is the long term vision which makes it all the more challenging. When you see so many projects with a vision and results that are short or sometimes even immediate term in nature, one tends to believe that that they are more effective than some of the others that Colorss has set out to achieve. Why outsiders, even the stakeholders including the benefactors and the beneficiaries question this and it is in the process of answering these questions that the unwavering focus of these strong willed members of team Colorss is called upon. I was privileged to meet up with a few of them and really am in awe of their enthusiasm and dedication and the sheer love for what they have set out to do. While I absolutely mean no disrespect to any effort taken by any other foundation, I have to confess that education, self reliance and a higher sense of self esteem are right up there as far as my personal priorities are concerned. So here I am now, trying to find ways and means to being useful to Anand and his wonderful foundation. As I sit here and contemplate, I am sure Anand and his wonderful force is out there in some community centre of theirs, in a less privileged part of the cities they operate in, trying to empower and create a new society. Thank you Colorss and thank you Anand for letting me be part of your journey. I will keep doing my bit, in whatever way I am able to for I have experienced the ecstasy of “Colorss” in my life.

For more information you could also visit their website, www.colorss.org or have a quick look at their facebook page www.facebook.com/colorssfoundation

Sundar Sarma

15th Sep 2012 - “Annual Day Event EDU / SOC :{ Education By Society}"

What it is

                Colorss Foundation celebrates its Annual Day on 15^th September.  This year, in line with its vision and mission, a large-scale event is planned to create awareness and attract membership for the foundation’s cause.  

This event is conducted mainly aimed to create awareness amongst the following groups:

o    Students in Schools and Colleges

o    Corporate Sponsors

o    Social Media Users

Theme

Education is the underlying theme of this event. Education is considered in its basic form i.e. “Imparting knowledge of the world to society”. Hence, the subject matters are not restricted to one specific topic or social cause.

The event will be conducted with a “Green” color theme. The color green is a natural tone and it indicates peace, prosperity and enthusiasm. It is hoped that the color theme will compliment the same qualities in the planned event.

Planned Activities

“One-Page-One-Day”

Event format

The participants are given one page in a classic literature book and they have to translate it in a corresponding language. The languages are English to Hindi/Marathi and vice versa as well. Interested participants will be required to register and a page will be allocated to them. Registration process will be completed before-hand to get an idea about number of pages so as to select proper books. Participant will not be restricted to number of pages translated but minimum one page is needed.

Participants

• Students in Colleges
• Students  in Schools ( Class 8 and Above)
• Relatives and Friends of Above categories. 

Advertising Required and Selling Points

 Advertising must be done in two formats:

1. For schools, specific schools must be targeted and approached to spread awareness amongst students. The staff must be convinced thoroughly so that they can explain the concept to their students and its benefits. Even schools may be convinced to assign a particular book to one class as an extra-curricular activity.
2.   For colleges, event must be spread amongst peers and students. Art clubs as well as Literature Clubs may be targeted and assigned particular books.

Timeline

•  Event promotion till 10^th September
• Processing till 14^th September
• Exhibition on Main-Day Event

Potential Sponsors

Publishing Houses must be contacted in order to find cost of publishing copies of finished books. Elimination/ reduction of printing costs may act as corporate sponsorship from publishing house. Benefits to sponsors include target markets for advertising of their products as well as participation in charitable activities.

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“Tweet-Play”

Event format

The participants will conduct a street play with a twist. Dialogues of each individual character will not exceed 140 characters. Interested teams will register beforehand and submit draft copy of their play. On validation of dialogue length, they will perform the play.

Participants

·         Street Play Clubs and Art Clubs

Advertising Required and Selling Points

• Selling Points will be the challenge in creating a street play with “punches” in fewer words.
• Advertising should be done targeted to get as many street play teams involved as possible.

Timeline

• Registration till 1^st September
• Draft Copy submission till 5^th September
• Initial Rounds will be decided as per number of participating teams as well as geographical locations
•  Exhibition on Main-Day Event

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Online Participation

“Spirit of Colorss”

Event format

The color theme of Green will be celebrated on social media. There are two planned events- 

• Art Competitions where participants will upload photographs having only color green in it. Remaining all colors must be made gray by using photo program software. Filters may also be applied for this. Best Photograph will be selected by number of likes on Colorss Facebook Page.
• Path of Society: Each user will enter his birth date and month in an attached file. These values will act as co-ordinates and pencil will move accordingly. A number of users will be selected and on completion of this number, a design will be created based on the co-ordinates and uploaded. Users are encouraged to contact their friends and design their own symbols in this event as a group.

Participants

•  Social Media users

Advertising Required and Selling Points

•  Promotions on Social Media and increase number of unique visitors.

Timeline

•  Submission till 15^th September

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“VIDEO Lectures”

Event format

The participants are required to upload short videos explaining educational concepts beforehand.

• Educational concepts must be explained using screen-shots and voice-overs or normal video lectures. The number of likes will decide the winner.

Participants

• Social Media users

Advertising Required and Selling Points

• Promotions on Social Media and increase number of unique visitors.

Timeline

• Submission till 15^th September

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Common Items

Equipment Required

• Posters for Event Promotions for volunteers. These may be print-outs on standard A4 pages to save costs.

Volunteer Activities

• Promotion of  Event in all locations
• Proof-Reading and Validation of submitted materials in all events

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Task-List

1.       Establish teams and Points of Contacts

a.        Media Team :- {Tasks :- Poster Design , Proof-Reading Copies}

b.       Ground Team :- {Tasks :- Promotional Events in institutions }

c.        Networking Team :- {Tasks :- Social Media, Communications, Registration and Distribution }

2.       Enhance events by activities selecting catchy names

3.       Design posters and explore free printing options

4.       Set up Event Supports

a.        List non-copyrighted books for translation

b.       Create document templates for dialogues of street play which will make validation easier

c.        Create list of suggested educational concepts

d.       Set up registration forms and databases

5.       Contact Schools and spread awareness

6.       Contact College Clubs and promote events in Colleges

7.       Promote Event on Social Media

8.       Contact sponsors through networking

Thank you and we look forward to your participation.

For Love

Anand