'Umang' open air schools

'Umang' is a 'school without walls' conducted by sitting in open or using tents if weather conditions required for 3-4 hours with earthquake affected children, talking to them in a friendly and caring manner, telling them stories, listening to them, reciting poetry, involving them in arts and crafts, games and other activities that they would like to do, help them open up and express themselves to bring out their stress.  

Objectives:

•     To provide psychosocial care to earthquake affected children of

       Jammu and Kashmir

•     Bring back the students to schools most of which were damaged

•     To mitigate the fear related to damaged schools

•     Make the children realize earthquake as reality and need for

       preparedness

•     Raise concern about local environment

Geographical coverage: Damaged schools from Uri and Tangdar, two worst affected subdivisions of districts Baramulla and Kupwara. 

Methodology: The ‘Umang’ methodology is combination of formal and non-formal learning, with partly curriculum based activities.  'Umang' module infused games, lot of fun activities, experience sharing and awareness about the science of earthquakes including dos and don'ts. The students expressed their emotions, sang songs and danced, shared jokes etc.

Activities mainly center towards creating awareness amongst the students about the local environmental issues, health and hygiene etc. Children get the opportunity to participate in activities like quiz, extempore speech, drawing and painting competitions etc. which give opportunity to express the talents of students. Non-school going children are also encouraged for the participation in Umang programme.

Outreach:

Schools covered:                                                                  471

Students benefited:                                                        34,462

Teachers involved:                                                             1969

Villages covered:                                                                  139

Support:

German Agro Action (GAA)

Plan India