Udayan Shalini Fellowships: A unique Programme for Empowering Girls in Need

1. UdayanShalini Fellowships: A unique Programme for Empowering Girls in Need Since 2002, run by and part of the NGO Udayan Care, New Delhi

2. “Udayan Shalini Fellowship is a gift of God for me and I am very thankful for it. I was so scared after my father died when I was in class 8 that I did not even sleep alone. Today, I am proud of myself. I want to become a researcher in Chemistry and do something big for my family and of course for Udayan Care.” Preeti, Vth batch, 1st year Chemistry Hons. “I am of the firm opinion that I would have been married off without my consent. My parents said that I had completed class XII so should get married. Now they perceive me as a ‘Teacher.’ Their opinion has changed. I travel one and a half hours to reach (the prestigious) Lady Shri Ram College. I am the only girl in my family who goes to a regular college. My mentor Didi helps me and I can discuss everything with her without any hesitation.” Jyotsna Rajora, Batch V, 1st year, LSR

3. Selection • Selected on the basis of N.A.T: Needs, Ambition and Talent with Household income not more than Rs. 8,000 pm with a minimum of 60% marks. • Process: Forms, Written tests, interviews, home visits • Courses - Sr. secondary, undergraduate, graduate and vocational courses • Higher education – PhD., M.Phil and specialised courses like Bio-technology

4. At a Glance Since 2002: Delhi 631 girls Since 2006: Kurukshetra 59 girls Since 2007: Kolkata 291 girls Since 2008: Uttarakhand 210 girls Since 2008: Aurangabad 13 girls Total: 1204

5. Influences on Fellows Motivational Workshops Mentor Program Formal School Parents Vocational Training Other Activities Values instilled by USF Oath

6. Mentors: Who Are They • Senior educationists, professionals and entrepreneurs • Achievers in life in their own rights • Visionaries who are able to think beyond their self • Socially sensitive, those who are willing to give back to the society • People willing to learn “The girls have shown tremendous growth in their confidence, responsibilities and career consciousness” Principal S L Jain Chairperson, USF Program, currently Chairperson NPSC

7. Mentoring Programme Mentor Didis • College girls; groomed by us while in school, become Mentor Didis • Regular interactions with school Fellows on familial, psychological, educational and career issue • Regularly report to mentors Pyramidal Structure Fellows from 11th & 12th Geographical proximity , a must

8. 3 fold Goals: Mentoring Career Orientation Clarity on career choices Skill development Career planning Academic Preparedness Personality Development Responsible behavior Self-confidence Etiquette Social awareness, citizenship and personal rights Self-study ability Communication skills Improved academic record

9. Part of Mentoring-Activity Calendar A regular and detailed calendar available to all • October: Orientation & Oath Taking Ceremony • Introduction to Mentors/Mentor Didis & regular meetings thereafter • Quarterly Motivational Workshops • Monthly workshops in smaller groups of 40-50 • Residential Workshops • Regular social work to fulfill 50 hours of obligatory service: in the neighborhood, with NGOs, Udayan Care, Awareness Campaigns

10. Motivational Workshops • Motivational Workshops : • QUARTERLY: All batches of Fellows meet every 2nd Sunday of January, April, July & October; quarterly Fellowship cheques are handed over • MONTHLY: Smaller groups of about 20-30 Fellows every alternate Sunday • Highly interactive • Speakers from committee members, mentors, social workers and eminent persons from different fields • Topics covered include social, gender, environmental issues, education & career counselling, etc.

11. Obligatory Social Work • A Very Well Thought Out Programme: • Ensures our Fellows emerge socially responsible • Fulfillment of 50 hours of social work • Not just passive recipients of charity; give back too • Helping others in their neighborhoods, NGOs, Udayan Care office, Udayan Ghars, Udayan Care Public Awareness Campaigns • By becoming a Mentor Didi and helping new Fellows

12. Camps & Campaigns • Social Awareness Campaigns on any current burning social issues are a means of encouraging our Fellows to give back to the society. It is a win-win situation for both the Fellows and the community. Fellows become more socially sensitive, get a chance to communicate and get the chance to learn about a particular problem. The community gains knowledge about the issue. • The Residential Camp is a 7 days packed programme for selected Fellows with various activity filled schedule mainly focusing on workshops on Leadership qualities, computer learning and English proficiency

13. Yearly Evaluation • Fellows evaluated yearly on following criteria: • Performance in exams • Timely submission of three monthly pro forma • Interactions with Mentors / Mentor Didis • Workshop Attendance • Social Work • Based on these criteria, the Fellows are appraised and reinducted for the next year, till they finish the course they applied for

14. Impact Now Today, she is a young lady proudly standing on her own feet.She is able to make her own decisions; able to change her destiny. Not just financially. A responsible citizen. Returning to the society. She is now supporting 2 Shalini-Fellows herself… Then Smita Verma comes from a modest family with a one room apartment in the congested old Delhi area, a normal, intelligent girl, which had big dreams. But the wings of her dreams were clipped due to her situations. Selected as an Udayan Shalini Fellowships got involved in her life.. Nurturing her dreams, holding her hand. Lifting her spirit.

15. Written on Sunday 17th May 2009 “People thought that we are soft butterfly, But now they can see We have desire and Power to touch The sky!” Anshita Mishra, Class XII Batch VI