MADURAI SEED

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Puduyugam Children's Magazine

26th Issue Release

Girl Children's Special

Overwhelmed by the presence of eminent guests Prof. P.Sumedha, Prof. T D Ponmalar from Fatima College, Journalist Ms Indhu Loganathan, Tr. Ms Malathy, Dr Usha, Mrs Viji Muruges and Tr. Ms Mariammal, the launching ceremony of PuduYugam Journal release, sowed inspirational quotes in Children.

A short gist from the speech of our guests:
"Seek for Self-development" quoted by Ms Indhu,
"Let be independent, be strong, be loved" elucidated by Ms T D Ponmalar
"Let us give effect to the rights of women" discussed by Ms P. Sumedha"Nothing is impossible when you have courage" briefed by Dr Usha

They appreciated the excellent writings of girl children in the journal. Particularly, one of the guests marked that "Literature has love in itself, and #MaduraiSeed ians have the love for the literature!!" and added " It's happy to see the kids here at #MaduraiSeed are growing with contemplating art and literature thoughts. A kind of wish and dream come out in the form of words from the children like you shows your thirsts for creativity!!"

Children were enthused by their speech, driven to the fields of Journalism & Literature,Their talk instilled a strong attitude that nothing is elusive to achieve.
The gathering, journal launch, speech of guests and kids, ended with presenting gifts and taking selfies!!

Our sincere and heartfelt Thanks to all of you who made our 26th edition of Pudhuyugam a remarkable one!! Thanks & Best Wishes to you all!!

Written By Elavarasi Karthik

It was a very different and spectacular eve(s)ning yesterday at Madurai seed. Though we missed a few moments, in the beginning, the kids gave a rousing welcome and this warmth makes us emotionally charged every time we visit them.

Karthik had come out with the emphasis/theme of 'empowering the girl child' for this

year's edition of 'Puthuyugam'. It was a fitting tribute to this great movement or rather a 'phenomenon' happening not just in India, but around the world for a few decades.

The guests of honour were enthusiastic, energetic and vibrant. Their influence was

so strong that the meeting turned into a very informal gathering in a few minutes from its start.

Ms.Indu, a student reporter of Vikatan( a leading tamil magazine) was the first to speak. She struck a fine bonding with the audience and shared her experiences in her journey towards taking up journalism.

Then spoke Prof.Sumedha who articulated life of a typical indian female with her own experiences. Her interaction was simple, humourous but very influential. I am sure her message would have left a strong impact among the girl students. She ended with a very inspiring story.

Prof.Ponmalar was next to speak. She came out wonderfully with the practical difficulties that woman folks face especially when they travel alone/staying away from home... I felt she is one of the torch-bearers in this movement and will go places.

She was followed by Dr.Usha. I need to introspect and check myself if I even deserve to write about her....for me personally, Dr.Usha not only stole the evening but our hearts and minds.

Next was Viji's turn and she went on to emphasise male's role in this whole movement....true....., a clap is heard only when both hands come together.

Ela followed her with her experiences in life and went on to dedicate her success to Karthik.

Mariammal teacher recollected her association with her students and wished them success.

Indu's mother(sorry for not knowing her name) though was reluctant to talk initially, sprang a surprise with her crisp and focused talk. She is a great orator and it was heartening to know from her about 'Gender sensitisation' being implemented in corporation schools in Tamilnadu.

Karthik's consistency with conceptualising and organising events in such a meticulous manner amazes me. His team spirit and motivational force are the driving factors behind such achievements. I am so happy for Ela as she has been playing a phenomenal role in the activities of MS. I came to understand that it was Ela's effort to bring such a wonderful line of guests for this event. I wish them both and the 'Team Madurai seed' all the best and pray God that they all be blessed.

Written By Murugesan.K

MADURAI SEED at a Glance 2015 - 2016

We provide a fruitful, fun-filled, resourceful environment for children and young people to learn, to express, to work together, to share ideas, and to get hands-on experience. These activities enrich them with knowledge and life skills across various subjects. They don’t get such exposures in schools and families where our intervention finds a strong purpose and delivers favourable impact. The year 2015-16 was the year of activities given much importance to teamwork and self-expression. The skills and personality development activities prepare them to encounter the larger society with much confidence.

Watch more videos in our channel https://www.youtube.com/user/maduraiseed1999/videos

MADURAI SEED Diwali & Vizhuthugal Alumni Meet

Celebrating Togetherness

Diwali: Lights, crackers, new dress, sweets. Madurai Seed alumni meet also joined on the list for the past few years. This Diwali again brought together our alumni on 28^th October 2016 at Gandhi Museum, the day before actual Diwali. It is a great joy to see the happy faces of children, which draws us back to our own childhood. This year’s meet was planned in such a creative manner. There were groups divided with children and young people for each corner. The alumni went to each corner and had nice time speaking with children and young people.

Registration: Here, the alumni were given welcomed and given beautiful cloth badge. Alumni has written their job profiles and contact details.

Photo Booth: Alumni took photos behind a banner. The banner had a picture of big banyan tree with aerial roots, birds were flying towards the tree, what a perfect background.

Lighting Diyas: Alumni lighted Diwali lamps. Children gave them a smiley badge, and Diya made of clay as Diwali gifts.

Handprint Corner: Hands brushed with green colour, pressed down on paper. Here came the hand print. They have taken a photo with their handprint behind a wooden frame.

Selfie & Mehndi: Alumni took a selfie with children and young people. The children drew mehndi designs on alumni’s hand.

Slam Book Writing: Alumni had written their feelings on paper about how they are feeling today and how Madurai Seed supported them.

Sweets Corner: Sweets, savouries, and tea provided to all.

This year Ganeshbabu and P.Manikandan came with their spouse and kids. It is happy to see people who came to Madurai Seed as kids coming again with their own kids again. Karpaga Jothi participated with her husband.

Muniyasamy, ArunKumar, Muthupandi, Magudapathi, Ramki, Balamurugan, Suresh Kannan, Priya, Parvathi, and Karpaga Selvi took part in the meeting. (O.Manikandan and Ganesh Kumar joined on the day of Diwali after the meet)

The alumni are working in various arenas of society like teachers, engineers, manager, research scholar, accountant, content writer, and other rewarding private jobs.

32 people have given their subscriptions. (Rs. 3840)

9 people have donated. (Rs. 5130)

Ganesh Babu gave an emotional speech on how Karthik Anna and Seed helped him. He wrote 10^th std exams as a private student (like home-schooling). Along with him many studied that year under the supervision and guidance of Karthik Anna and passed the exams with decent marks. He shared the supports rendered by Seed to finish 12^th std successfully. He asked the current students and volunteers to make use of the resources, and guidance and wished them all the best.

Finally, children and young people enthralled everyone with their non-stop dance performances.

It is a beautiful moment and motivation for each alumnus, seeing, talking with Karthik Anna, Elavarasi Anni, Mansur Anna, volunteers, young people, and children.

This event enhanced the relationship among the alumni and enabled them to discuss on various matters. The alumni reaffirmed to strengthen the bond between them and their alma mater. Hope, the next year the number of participants will increase and some of them may get to participate with their spouse and babies.

I am concluding the report with “Together Everyone Achieves More” and we are here to celebrate that togetherness. Let our values and goals guide us; let friendship and kindness illuminate our paths. Thank you, everyone. - ArunKumar C

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Vasantham Summer Camp 2016

MADURAI SEED's summer camp: The most awaiting event of Madurai Seed, Vasantham Camp was conducted from 30.04.2016 to 05.05.2016 for six days at Kambam, a country side nearly 100 kilometers away from Madurai. This residential camp took place at St. Mary’s Martic School in Kambam.

Here come the camp tidbits:

Everyday started at 5.00Am and closed at 10.00Pm, from wakeup to bedtime things were planned effectively and enjoyable.
The camp was comprised of many sessions like exercises, yoga, personality development seminars, fun games, picnics, cultural programs, arty crafty events like Warli painting, paper crafts, paper lantern, and crafts from waste things.
Totally 90 people participated in the camp. Among 78 are children. They were divided into 6 teams. 12 volunteers assisted the teams. 5 volunteers worked as organizers.

Participated Children : 78 Team Volunteers : 12

Organizing Volunteers : 05 Staff : 02

Cooking crew : 03

The camp accommodated 100 people.

· Tasks like saying thought for the day, providing tea, serving food, fetching water, cleaning, daily report writing, daily feedback collection, first-aid, compering were divided between the teams each day.
· Elavarasi took the role of camp director ideated the activities, and planned. She conducted 6 different types of activities, fun games, and exercise sessions. Karthikbharathi took care of the organizing side, and facilities. He was further assisted with Volunteers Ramki, and Nagarjun. Photos were captured by volunteer Vignesh. Food preparation was overtaken by Velumani and team.
Jessy Mathews, Head Mistress of St. Mary’s School inaugurated the camp. Our Trustee Teacher. Ms. Mariammal took part in the valedictory program.
As speakers and visitors 15 people took part in the camp taught the input sessions, observed the craft things, and encouraged the children.
Social values, hard work, perseverance, self-confidence, physical work, natural resources, women achievers, and geographical details about Kambam valley, Suruli falls, and Mullai-Periyar dam were given as input sessions.
Children enjoyed the picnics to Suruli falls, and Mullai-Periyar.
The village people and St. Mary’s school children witnessed the art and craft things every day.
Grapes, the specific produce of Kambam were distributed to children.
The camp was executed well in line with the objectives of Madurai Seed such as enriching creativity, spending productive time, love for nature, doing physical work, working in teams, enhancing self-confidence, being self-expressive, and being happy.
This was Madurai Seed's 10^th summer camp in the name of Vasantham. We thank Friends of Madurai Seed for helping us to conduct the camp successfully every year. We also thank Prof.Prabhakar, Head mistress. Jessy Mathews, Teachers Sathyaraj and Bhaskar for their help.

Thank you all.

Lots of love from Madurai Seed children and young people

Report by: K. Karthik, B.Sc, Maths, Second Year.

Check out this video of Madurai Seed's Vasantham Summer Camp

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Annual Report 2015-2016

Dear Madurai Seed Friends and Supporters

Vanakkam. Madurai Seed is rendering its services for the disadvantaged children and young people of Madurai for the past 17 years. This 17 years of journey was possible just because of you. We proudly present you our 9^th annual report after the registration.

We strongly believe with education we can eradicate poverty. In 2015-16 Madurai Seed touched over 1000 children’s lives with our direct and indirect initiatives.

In 2015-16, in our education centers 34 finished 10^th std, 30 finished 12^th std, 4 young people got placements in the final semester, 3 are going to pursue post-graduation. 90% of these students are the first members in their families to study higher secondary and college education.

Madurai Seed’s role in educational and vocational guidance has a strong need in an area like Karumbalai for the higher education and college going aspirants.

The skills and personality development activities prepare them to encounter the larger society with much confidence. Lack of exposures, and resources shouldn’t be a problem for children and young people from a low income area for their development. They should also get equal opportunities. Yes, we are achieving that gradually. The growing number of higher education aspirants and their job profiles are the proofs.

Our unique functional style is “Children turning into Volunteers”. The children who grew up in Madurai Seed come forward to do any kind of work to support the organization as volunteers during their college life. They also form an alumni association as an extension when they go for jobs. We are proud, some of the alumni have turned as donors and do other resource works to support the organization. This culture will cherish further.

I thank Asha-Boston chapter, Friends of Madurai Seed, KFR School, donors, advisors, friends, fellow trustees, staff and volunteers for their great support in bringing up the children and the young people to live up to their dreams.Thanks for your continuous support and kind.

With love

Karthik Bharathi A.S.

Managing Trustee