What we have achieved so far!

A series of info-graphics that will help showcase what we have achieved so far. You are most welcome to be a part of our growing organization. 

Colors of Life

Project Uttejana

Mission 1000

Project Enhance

Project Urja

We would love to have you with us at Colorss.

FUN FACTS : Colorss Foundation Uses Creative Writing to Tackle Illiteracy

FUN FACTS : Colorss Foundation Uses Creative Writing to Tackle Illiteracy

Illiteracy can inhibit a person’s development and access to a good quality standard of living. It describes the state of not possessing the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic, which can prevent the person from applying these skills in their day-to-day lives. Illiteracy is a developmental problem and has been designated as a concern by the UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, “We need to see specific, well-funded strategies that prioritize the poorest – especially girls – improve the quality of learning and reduce the literacy gap so that education becomes meaningful and universal.” In India, 287 million adults were considered illiterate, which makes up 37 percent of the entire world’s illiterate population. This has grave consequences, especially for the female population. It is observed that illiteracy is a danger to family planning as married couples that do not use contraception are likely to be illiterate. This can lead to difficulty in stabilizing India’s booming population. 

A solution that can contribute to improving literacy levels amongst India’s population lies in Creative Writing. This method teaches the public, especially children, to write in an imaginative way to express their ideas and thoughts. Through creative writing, a writer would be able to express feelings and emotions and not just present dry facts.  Creative writing is beneficial to children as it will help them explore their imagination more and cultivate their ability to soak up more information. It also boosts the confidence level of students and brings an effective change to the conduct of education.

Colorss Foundation has intelligently incorporated the useful method of creative writing in their projects in order to reduce illiteracy levels. One of their projects, Colors of Life, encourages children to write on topics that have been specially chosen. This method helps trigger brain stimulation and also spurs curiosity amongst them. Children that have produced creative writing content will be able to witness their proud efforts published in the Colorss E-Zine, which was launched in 2011. As a result of creative writing, children have demonstrated a renewed interest in education. More importantly, there is an observed reduction in the school drop-out rate, which suggests that illiteracy rate is successfully being tackled!

Sources:

1. A. Dharmalingam and S. Philip Morgan, “Women’s Work, Autonomy, and Birth Control: Evidence from Two South India Villages”, Population Studies 50, no.2 (July 1996), pp.187-201
2. Colorss Foundation, Annual Report for the Year 2011-2012, (Colorss Foundation, 2012)
3. Nilanjana Bhowmick, “37% of All the Illiterate Adults in the World are Indian”, Time Magazine, 29 January 2014
4. Education Business, “Bringing together Creativity and Literacy”, Education Business: The Business Magazine for Education 2014. Available Online: http://www.educationbusinessuk.net/index.php/features/400-creative-literacy/3955-bringing-together-creativity-and-literacy
5. Tushar Tere, “Underprivileged children from slums take tour of nature park”, Times of India, 20 June 2013
6. UNESCO Office in New Delhi, Education for All 2000-2015: India is First in the Race to Reduce out of School Children, 9 April 2015, Available online: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/newdelhi/about-this-office/single-view/news/education_for_all_2000_2015_india_is_first_in_the_race_to_reduce_out_of_school_children/#.VaKELJNViko

Underprivileged children from slums take tour of nature park - Times Of India | Colorss Foundation

Media coverage in 'Times of India'

The Colorss Foundation had recently organized an event for 25 underprivileged children and 5 women, from Sanjaynagar slums at the nature park in Sindhrot, on the outskirts of the city. The event was organized by Nielsen, Vadodara to celebrate its global day celebrations. The activities included cartoon strip competition, trekking and the launch of E-zine. E-zine is the output of a Colorss Foundation project - Colors of Life

click the link below to read more about it on Times of India
Underprivileged children from slums take tour of nature park - Times Of India

Colorss in partnership with Nielsen, Baroda | Colorss Foundation

Colorss has always been focused and has constantly been utilizing the opportunities that have come its way, to stand by its vision of empowering and developing the under-privileged children of the society. This time it was collaboration with Nielsen, the global leader in measurement and information that took the attempts of turning its vision to reality, to the next level altogether. In what was termed as a mega event by its founder, the partnership with Nielsen Office at Baroda helped Colorss truly realize key objectives of its project – Colors of Life.

          The association with Nielsen, Vadodara happened when Colorss proposed and organized a Self-Defense workshop for the former’s female employees on the 26^th of April 2013. Anand, the founding director of Colorss, took keen interest in putting across several powerful and useful techniques of self-defense to the women employees. Some pictures from the events can be seen here. The employees were more than excited and appreciative of the session. They also went on to quote this experience as being wonderful and helpful in making them more confident at times of need. See what Jimsy Kuriakose from Nielsen had to say about the workshop.

Founder Chairman Mr. Koti teaching self-defense technique at Nielsen Baroda

           In the second half of the day, the Nielsen’s turned hosts to little guests from slums in Sanjay Nagar, Vadodara. These 30-35 children aged between 5 and 15 years are part of the educational program of Colorss. Thanks to the Nielsen employees who took great interest in giving a unique and memorable experience to the kids. From giving them a guest pass, walking them through the security and the buildings to making them feel at home and building rapport with the children, the enthusiasm and concern shown by the employees were definite indicators of how socially responsible corporates are. This first of its kind interaction created a sort of vision; an illustration of a big picture, in the kids, something they will always remember.

          As an extension to the event conducted on the 26^th April, the 10^th of May yet again turned out to be a great opportunity for these kids to showcase their talent and skills. The employees of Nielsen once again invited the kids to their premises and this time to add to the excitement the parents had to accompany their children. While the hosts left no stone unturned to keep the spirits high and boost the momentum, the kids too didn’t miss the chance to come up with dance performances, mime shows and small acts that showed their sheer ability and interest to learn new things and develop themselves on par with anyone else. This fun filled event was definitely a mega-event in all aspects and did everything to prop-up the benefits stated by the educational program in its true sense.

Children performing Mime act at Nielsen Baroda

          Colorss whole heartedly thanks Nielsen, Vadodara and its employees for lending great support and for contributing towards its mission. Colorss appeals to all other corporates and private bodies to join hands with it to work towards the betterment and upliftment of the society.

If you would like to benefit from our Self-Defense Workshop, please send an email to contact@colorss.org

If you would like to support Colorss in some manner, then please do register as a volunteer with us. You can also contribute to Colorss by making a donation here.

For Love,

Anand

[Thanks Raghu for the write-up]

Volunteering with Colorss Foundation

With jobs very scarce nowadays to find with this global economic downturn, volunteering remains one of the best methods, which anyone can use to impress employers or even build a platform to start self-employment. Although, volunteering means you would be working unpaid or in some cases offer just allowances for transport or lunch, the experience you end up gaining is worthwhile. Needless to say that you can have as many qualifications as you can obtain, but with the competition today, employers are looking at people with experience ready to work than people with merely paper certificates.

Again, the numbers of contacts you can make, simply by working for no payment, are far more than money. Sometimes, volunteering is just that last door you need to knock to land a job that is going to change your life and future. Unlike in paid employment, which the employers will be asking you a list of requirements to fulfil to grab a job, all you need in volunteering is just the time and will to try something new.

Why volunteer

•  It is good for health and morale
•  It offers the chance to socialise with others
•  It enables you to learn new skill and gain experience

Volunteering is generally considered a philanthropic activity and is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. In return, the activity produces a feeling of self-worth and respect; however there is no financial gain. That is to say although you might be asking yourself, why should I be working for no payment, but in reality you are helping to develop yourself for a subsequent job. It is easy to tell anyone that you have a degree, but once you have been to two or more interviews and end up being refused the jobs, then you would realise how hard it is to convince people that you have something to offer. Therefore by volunteering, you are offering yourself that opportunity to deal with the reality of the daunting world of job hunting.

Volunteering is well-known for skill development and socialization, and fun.  Apart from learning a new skill or developing a skill, by volunteering you get to meet new people and new challenges. Even if you feel low working unpaid, the friends you meet, the contacts share and opportunities you get to be exposed are all rewarding. That is just to confirm that volunteering is also intended to make contacts for possible employment.

What can I volunteer in?

Finding a place to volunteer can be a headache just as deciding what to volunteer on and where. Colorss Foundation is the right place for you since we have helped many volunteers and interns find some that suit them.

To make a good choice on what you want to do as a volunteer/intern, it is easier first to think about why you have decided to volunteer or be an intern if you are a student. Is it to meet people and talk; to learn or try something different or simply to offer something back to the community? With these questions in mind, it shall be easier for our able and friendly staff to get something that matches your need and something that would make you happy and you will enjoy doing as well.

The time you have to dedicate for volunteering or on internship with the Colorss Foundation is also a determining factor to guide us get you something. At the moment, we offer volunteering/internship from 4 weeks (1 month) to 52 weeks (12 months). Depending on the time which one is ready to offer, the programme or project is designed on that ground. Although we welcome intern/volunteer on a short-term base, we are particularly interested in those who are willing to get involved in long term bases. Long term volunteering/internship are beneficial to both the organisation and its project as well as to the person involved.

The longer an intern/volunteer stays, the more skill gathers and the better the people leave as compared to those on a short term project. Long term projects also enable the organisation to collect data, and draw good plans to help the volunteer/intern, since when the project is finished we provide a certificate and also keep records that could be readily provided to back any job references demanded later.

Apart from the duration and the type of project selected, some particular skills or professional work are served solely for long term projects, such as research, and teaching.

If you are interested to do volunteering or internship with Colorss Foundation you need to write us with your resume, date of volunteering or internship and location. We would get back to you with the volunteering brochure and action plan.

For Love,

Mizuh Mbah

Colorss goes international with first research work published

A study carried on musculoskeletal health among urban poor pupils in Western India by Colorss’ Foundation research division, Risachi, has been published in the International Journal of Management and Behavioural Sciences, IJMBS.

The acclaimed study, the very first to be conducted in India, was the initiative and hard work of two researchers: Pavithra Rajan, a community physiotherapist and Anand Koti, the founder of the Colorss Foundation.

According to the article co-authored by Rajan and Koti, bad postures and ergonomics –the study on how things interact with the human body – are prevalent during adolescence and earlier studies have shown that this could lead to musculoskeletal aches and pains in later life. To back this hypothesis – idea, a pilot study was carried out across selected urban slums in India. Using focus group discussions and a set of practical controlled school activities, the findings obtained, confirmed that this undervalued problem does exist.

During the study carried out in July 2012 in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, school children in urban slums were sampled and congregated into two separate groups based on gender for focus group discussions. Information gathered from these group discussions were used as base to design two research tools further used to assess the ergonomics of boys and girls in schools in five different activities. The activities range from reading a book, to lifting books from floor level, to sitting on a chair, to carrying a backpack, to using a computer. Data collected from each activity and compared with others all show that these activities actually caused maximum discomfort to most of the children.

Effects of musculoskeletal health problem

Interpreting the results, Rajan and Koti, found out that out of the 64 children who participated in the controlled study, 17 experienced musculoskeletal pains around the lower back, ankle and foot, knee and at the neck as well. Referring back to an earlier study conducted elsewhere on musculoskeletal health, the two researchers noted that musculoskeletal pain in this group – adolescence had been identified as a major public health problem and could be one of the causes of school absenteeism. In further analysis it was also discovered that some of the children could not take part in some activities at school simply as a result of this musculoskeletal ache and pain.

Before concluding the study sponsored by some individuals of goodwill and assisted by volunteers, Rajan and Koti stressed that it is important to plan cost effective and preventive strategies to bridge the problem from manifesting in this juvenile population who they say are equally the pillar of the future of India. Such strategies, according to them, may reduce the cost of treatment of musculoskeletal aches and pain on India’s health system that is already overburdened by other health issues.

After this groundbreaking publication, the Risachi research team has been burning the candles at both ends working on other big projects. So far, another research work has been approved and is due for publication in June 2013. The research teams also have plans to extend more projects on musculoskeletal health across India, but are relying heavily on the kind contributions from donors as well volunteers, especially students to join them carry out research on a vast scale. 

At the moment Risachi projects are sponsored by individual donors, but Rajan and Koti are optimistic that donor organisations and individual donors would soon come on board as more and more research work get published. Support us and donate to make us strong. Contact us

Full report of this research paper can be read on the link below:

http://www.slideshare.net/colorss/colorss-research-paper-publication

For Love,

Mizuh Mbah 

‘See Green’ - determined to be a fine integration of proposed solutions for some of the critical issues in the society! | Colorss Foundation

Every New Year brings in new opportunities for people, avenues to go by their resolutions and ways to achieve their dream. But, unfortunately some people get lost while looking around for such opportunities or probing for avenues and paths. Here, in Colorss we sincerely make an attempt to intertwine the right people with the right opportunity and further go on to create hope and strength in the people who will then pave way for a healthy society. Synonymous to this, starting this January, Colorss is coming up with a project – ‘See Green’ which is determined to be a fine integration of proposed solutions for some of the critical issues in the society. To give it a personal touch, we are creating an opportunity for each one of ‘you’ reading this to contribute in whatsoever manner possible to light hope and give strength to empower someone out there to stand up and live their life themselves. Read on to understand more about See Green. 

The Objectives of the Project:

1.     Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: We are appealing to educational institutions, organizations and individuals to donate old clothes. Thus bringing in, the ideas of 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.

2.     Production of Hand Stitched Bags: The collected old clothes will be distributed among women in rural and underprivileged households of Vadodara, who will then produce hand stitched bags made of these old clothes.

3.     Empowering Women: These bags would later be sold for a nominal price to interested vendors in and around Vadodara. The income earned would be given to the women, thus empowering them and improving their financial stability.

4.     Plastic Free: By encouraging people to use cloth bags, we will be contributing our share to building an eco-friendly environment, free of plastic.

What can you do?

1.     If you are in Vadodara, then do take a casual drive to drop by your old clothes.

2.     For schools, we have a collection drive that has been planned and the respective schools are expected to intimate the same to the students.

3.     If you are not around but still would like to contribute, then do spread the word about this project on twitter @colorss or alternately on G+.

4.     You can go a step ahead to encourage volunteers and like-minded people in your neighborhood to come up with an initiative as this one.

5.     Choose to fund for this project by being a sponsor.

A little action can make wonders. It will lead to mutual satisfaction and happiness and will give a new social meaning to your life. As Stephen Covey rightly said, ‘Life is just not about accumulation, it is also about contribution’. Act now.

As an intern to Colorss, Mr. Aditya Gupta a Doon School Alumnus who had been working on his idea 'See Green' is now a reality. 

For Love, Founder Anand Koti

www.colorss.org | www.facebook.com/colorssfoundation | contact@colorss.org | +91 960 494 1020

Diwali Celebrations at UrjAa - igniting the fire within

No other time of the year or festival conjures up as much excitement as Diwali! The festival of lights which illuminates the country with its brilliance and dazzles everyone with its joy is coming soon! The lights illuminate our homes and hearts and empower us to commit ourselves to good deeds. A celebration of light, love and prosperity, the spirit of Diwali entices all. 

Celebrating the festival of lights with the community members would't had been possible if we did't get the support from you;

22nd Parallel, Restaurant, Baroda - for sponsoring food
Mr. Ramgopal Rajan - for sponsoring the gifts and sweets

The joy is beyond explanations; these small gestures bring in a lot of trust, hope and faith in these communities. The women and their family members really had fun. It was like a family get together having everyone at one place...

Thank you for making this event a big success..

For Love
Anand