Jyoti Nilayam Site Visit Report
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 I visited the Jyoti Nilayam Kindergarten alongwith Mr Prasad of VASORD and Mr Ramesh Kumar, who had visited the project back in January'99. Mr Prasad is Chairman of VASORD (Vasavya Society for Rural Development) and also an active social worker with a deep commitment to the development of villages in the Mahboobnagar district.

Jyoti Nilayam is located around 50 miles south-west of Hyderabad in 'Vemulanarva' village. Vemulanarva village has a population of 1,800 people. We left Hyderabad at 8:00AM and arrived in Vemulanarva after an hour's drive. We were greeted by the smiling faces of several three year olds playing in the sand with toys outside the classroom. More kids were inside playing with lego building blocks. It was a joy to see their happy faces. We briefly met Thulasi, the kindergarten teacher. It must have been the daily morning break time - Thulasi was serving milk for all kids. Looking at the discipline and etiquete of kids, I thought it could have been any school in the United States.  

A half hour later, Mr Detlif Coch, the school President came to meet us. I spent at least three hours discussing with Mr Coch about his vision for the school and his plan for the coming few years. Mr Coch, a German citizen and previously a resident of Denmark gave up his comfy life to visit India in search of eastern philosophy. Mr Coch calls himself a 'social pedagogue' as his goal is to bring social development thru basic education. Mr Coch's goal is to integrate values, spirituality (not religion), and benefits of western academic structure into the school's educational curriculum.  

After a period of 3 years, Jyoti Nilayam wants to establish a primary school of 4 school classes. The plan is to open a new class every year. Aims of the Primary School:
- literacy in English and Telugu
- skills of articulation
- basic math, comprehension and application
- basic knowledge about child's social environment with emphasis on food, water, energy, polltion, health, and population
- basic knowledge on child's physical environment with emphasis on respect, understanding and responsibility
- basic knowledge of fine arts with emphasis on the developement of self expression and admiration for the arts
- basic knowledge of music and its appreciation with emphasis on singing and learning musical instruments
- development of human values with emphasis on an understanding of one's own personality and the application of human values in day-to-day life
- development of physical fitness and perseverance with emphasis on teamwork and leadership
- basic knowledge of the world's religions, their significance and impact on people with emphasis on the unity of faith
 
The kindergarten has an Aya who takes care of children's food and personal hygiene. Mr Coch puts a lot of emphasis on knowing and understanding each child as individual and has developed a caring relationship with these kids.

The school is just six months old but the difference is being perceived already. Parents who have one of their children in Jyoti Nilayam and another in a Government school noticed that their younger kid in kindergarten is learning much faster than her older sibling who goes to a Govt school. I think Mr Coch has carefully formulated his vision and has commiment to the school and the local community.  

I'm attaching some of the pictures I took while I was there. I had a kodak disposable camera without flash, so all pictures I took inside the classroom didn't come out well. But I have couple of pictures that I took outside.  

jyothi1.jpg

jyothi3.jpg

 Thanks!