This section is intended to be a brief description of our projects for academic year 2020-21. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, several of OPEN's partners operated at a reduced level and hence OPEN's grant amounts were lower than normal. For more detail on partner schools/organizations at which the projects were executed, please click on the paragraph headline links below. For simplicity, project grants are quoted in USD, though a given project may have been funded solely by USD, by INR, or by a mix.
Vidyarambam Easy Learning English and Easy Learning Mathematics: Due to the pandemic, in-person classes were cancelled for most of the 2020-21 academic year. OPEN supported Vidyarambam at sustenance level. Vidyarambam made an attempt to conduct on-line classes. Total cost: $1,849. Number of children benefited: 100
IGNITE Post-Secondary Scholarships: This scholarship program for Vocational Polytechnic, Engineering, and 3-year Degree (B.Com, B.Sc, BCA etc) students is completely executed by OPEN. Number of students supported: 84. Cost: $17,275. Students tried to do what they could in terms of on-line learning, and OPEN's intake of new students was lower than normal.
Ganapathy Iyer Girls’ High School: This is a Government-aided school run by the Gopalapuram Educational Society. Most classes were cancelled. OPEN provided $1,473 towards repainting and refinishing classroom furniture. It benefits 240 children.
Ashraya Trust: Normally, OPEN supports libraries at 6 schools, and Arts and Science clubs at 6 schools, run by the Ashraya Trust in rural Karnataka. The libraries aim to improve reading levels of schoolchildren by giving them the opportunity to borrow books at an appropriate reading level. The librarians monitor the number and reading levels of the books borrowed by each student. Top students in Science learn scientific principles through teacher-led experiments, and Arts students learn sketching, charcoal drawing, and mural painting from a local artist. Ashraya navigated the pandemic years more nimbly than most. They provided remote learning through tablets and smartphones. OPEN continued paying salaries for important program staff and additionally purchased 5 laptops for Ashraya. Total cost of program: $8,107. Students benefited: 100.
Turning Point Trust, Chennai: Turning Point continued its operation of an after-school center for slum children where they would get help with learning and with homework. This center saw reduced children count. Cost of program: $3,389, benefiting 60 children.
Malleswaram Shishu Vihar, Bangalore: OPEN provides scholarships for 10 children at this school, which takes in slum children from Malleswaram, Bangalore. Cost: $3,622. This is the final year of OPEN support for this school, as OPEN no longer has a supervisory presence in Bangalore.
