This section is intended to be a brief description of our projects for academic year 2021-22. 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: Vidyarambam's Easy Learning English and Easy Learning Maths classes were conducted with OPEN funding at 9 Government schools in Chennai for the final academic quarter of 2021-22. It is notable that about half the children didn't understand maths at all at the beginning of the program, and the rest only could read numbers, but as the classes advanced, many were able to advance to addition, subtraction and multiplication. Total cost: $10,600. Number of children benefited: 750.
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: 88. Cost: $14,211. Our program continued to have fewer students than normal due to the pandemic, and we continue to tap the IRT Polytechnic for students to increase the vocational component of our student base.
Ganapathy Iyer Girls’ High School: This is a Government-aided school run by the Gopalapuram Educational Society. OPEN continued its scholarship program at this school by funding scholarships for 100 under-privileged students for books/fees, and the school was able to use leftover funds from the prior year. Total OPEN spend: $1,729
Ashraya Trust: OPEN supports libraries at 6 schools, and Arts and Science clubs at 3 schools, run by the Ashraya Trust in rural Karnataka. During the pandemic, Ashraya pivoted to providing remote lessons using pre-recorded lessons on tablets. OPEN provided 38 tablets for Ashraya. Total cost of program: $4,432. Students benefited: 200.
Turning Point Trust, Chennai: OPEN spent $3,054 towards operation of an after-school center that provides the children a safe space so that they may do homework and study after school. Number of children benefited: 65.
