To provide children fun-filled learning experiences as opposed to academics and help them in exhibiting their talent, city-based Muthamizh Kalai Vizhi started an initiative called Neelam Foundation.
Chennai:
“Article 31 of the convention on the right of the child states that children should ‘participate fully in cultural and artistic life along with formal education. Developing cultural aesthetics helps children to identify their hidden talents and leadership qualities and boost up their self-esteem. Through Neelam Foundation, my intention is to provide children fun-filled learning experiences as opposed to academics. Through the collective activities, they learn teamwork, leadership, creativity and problem solving,” says Muthamizh.
They are planning to gather children from Neelam Educational Centers and organise a five-day winter camp. During the camp, participants will be trained in various skills, folk art forms like Silambattam, Paraiyattam, Oyillattam, Karagattam and Kazhilattam, filmmaking, photography, theatre, mime, art and craft.
“We are planning to hold the camp from December 26 to 30 when the schools are shut for annual leave. Children will be trained by professionals and skilled trainers from respective industries. We believe that every child who takes part in the camp will be encouraged to build their confidence towards accepting the truth that they are skillful and talented to approach creativity by all means. Our foundation is supported by well-wishers and we are looking for funds to run the upcoming winter camp. In order to raise funds, we have also started a fundraising campaign in Milaap,” she remarks.
Educationist Muthamizh Kalai Vizhi strongly believes that every excluded child represents a missed opportunity because when society fails to extend to marginalised children the service and protection that would enable them to develop as productive and creative individuals, it loses the social, cultural and economic contributions they could have made. Keeping this idea in mind, she started an organisation called Neelam Foundation and set up Neelam Educational Centres across various places in Tamil Nadu that provide training programmes to encourage creativity in children. Around 550 children between the age group of 5 and 16 attend these programmes.
“Article 31 of the convention on the right of the child states that children should ‘participate fully in cultural and artistic life along with formal education. Developing cultural aesthetics helps children to identify their hidden talents and leadership qualities and boost up their self-esteem. Through Neelam Foundation, my intention is to provide children fun-filled learning experiences as opposed to academics. Through the collective activities, they learn teamwork, leadership, creativity and problem solving,” says Muthamizh.
They are planning to gather children from Neelam Educational Centers and organise a five-day winter camp. During the camp, participants will be trained in various skills, folk art forms like Silambattam, Paraiyattam, Oyillattam, Karagattam and Kazhilattam, filmmaking, photography, theatre, mime, art and craft.
“We are planning to hold the camp from December 26 to 30 when the schools are shut for annual leave. Children will be trained by professionals and skilled trainers from respective industries. We believe that every child who takes part in the camp will be encouraged to build their confidence towards accepting the truth that they are skillful and talented to approach creativity by all means. Our foundation is supported by well-wishers and we are looking for funds to run the upcoming winter camp. In order to raise funds, we have also started a fundraising campaign in Milaap,” she remarks.
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