MENTORING

WHAT WE DO

At the heart of all our programs is continuous capacity building of all associated functionaries. This is done through frequent trainings, constant mentoring, and strong constructive feedback mechanisms for the functionaries. Such an approach ensures program sustainability, quality improvement and achievement of our objectives.

We offer comprehensive ‘end-to-end’ mentoring, accompanying our teachers, educators and partners every step of the way, ensuring they receive continuous support until they are empowered with the necessary skills and knowledge. This is integral part of our training.

ORIGINS OF OUR
MENTORING JOURNEY

Our journey spans 30 years of mentoring grassroots organizations, a unique experience that began with our partnership with CRY (Child Rights and You) in Eastern India in the year 1989. This provided us with several opportunities to mentor as many as 48 to 50 organizations across the country from 1989 – 2000. Through ongoing engagement and shared learning, we’ve seen firsthand how sustained mentorship can drive lasting change.

EVOLUTION OF OUR TRAINING METHODS

We sought to break the myth that effective education methods were reserved for the privileged. Drawing from our Montessori background we strove to bring its principle, not the expensive materials, to underserved areas. Through hands-on engagement, we identified challenges educators faced, particularly in applying learning laterally in spaces where resources are limited.

This led to the evolution of our unique training approach. We learned the most when assisting teachers in applying theories in their classrooms, adapting to their unique contexts. Our approach focused on contextualization to address diverse challenges effectively.

Initially, our training method involved a structured 5 days + 5 days + 5 days module, combining face-to-face trainings with field support to ensure practical application. Coming from backgrounds in urban elite schools, we aimed to democratize access to quality education by taking principles, not expensive materials, to underserved areas, particularly the pre-primary education centres in villages, tribal areas, and under-resourced slums. As newcomers to grassroots engagement, our team recognized the importance of immersing in the communities we worked with.

INTEGRATION OF MENTORING INTO OUR TRAINING APPROACH

We initially collaborated with CRY, operating in multiple eastern and northern India states: Bihar (undivided), West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, each presenting unique geographic and contextual challenges. Throughout our engagement, we tailored our support to these different organizations over 5-6 years, working with organizations like Swanirvar, Kajla Jana Kalyan Samiti, and NKJK Milan Sangha, witnessing their evolution into independent educational entities that now support local government education initiatives.  Recognizing the transformative potential of mentoring, we consistently integrated this component into our training with CRY’s partner organizations across India. These groups often grapple with basic human rights issues like ‘Jal, Jangal aur Jameen’ , amid pervasive exploitation, patriarchy, and casteism. By immersing ourselves in their contexts, we gained insights into the biases and challenges they faced, fostering a two-way learning process. While our primary goal was to guide them, we also gleaned significant knowledge from their experiences

KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS

CONTINUOUS CAPACITY BUILDING

We prioritize the development of a robust 'core team' within each partnering organization. Through tailored training sessions and ongoing mentorship, we empower these teams with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive sustainable change.

FIELD-BASED MENTORING

Recognizing the importance of on-the- ground support, we provide personalized mentoring directly in the field. This hands-on approach ensures that our partners receive guidance as per their unique contexts and challenges.