Bridging underprivileged communities with ‘English classes’

THE recently concluded Koottam volunteering carnival in the state capital turned out to be a big surprise for U&I, an NGO's Thiruvananthapuram chapter dedicated to providing quality education to underprivileged children in shelter homes and orphanages.

- PARVANA K B

When they set up their first-ever stall, they hoped to spread the word about their work. What they didn't expect was the incredible turnout. Over 200 volunteers stopped by, curious and eager to learn more. People seemed genuinely interested, wanting to know how they could get involved, even though volunteering meant giving their time for free.

"We didn't expect such a good response," says Namitha Bijoy, one of the chapter leaders. "It was our first time setting up a stall, and we were overwhelmed by how open and supportive everyone was. It was more than we could have hoped for, and it gave us so much energy moving forward."

At U&I, the core focus is on bridging foundational gaps in English education for underprivileged children. In Thiruvananthapuram, they conduct classes at Jayamatha Boys Home, Nalanchira.

Many of the students struggle with basic English skills — some, even in Class 5, might not know the alphabet.