Why we go above and beyond for our students…

Every student is a universe of ideas, and we often come across students bubbling with energy and enthusiasm to bring about a positive change in their communities. While our programs are designed to nurture Problem Solving, Empathy, Creativity, and Critical Thinking in a learner, we are constantly on the look out for new opportunities that our problem solvers can leverage.

G Shivani and B Thamanna from grade 10 in TSMS Dharmaram were selected to participate in the 5th Annual Revolutionary Retreat conducted by Teach for India’s Kids Education Revolution (KER) in Mumbai. The objective of the retreat was to empower student leaders to reflect on the change they wish to bring about and work on it collaboratively. Shivani and Thamanna had earlier won the first prize at the State Innovation Challenge for their ‘Eco-friendly Medicine Time-Table Bag’ and were selected for the KER retreat after a rigorous application process. Getting their parents and teachers excited about it, our young innovators went on a fully funded trip to Mumbai to learn from other student leaders from across the country.

At the three-day retreat, the girls showcased their prize winning Medicine Bag to a diverse group of peers and mentors from across the country. The girls also participated in a variety of activities like Mandala art to help channel spontaneous creativity. They also participated in thematic dance and song performances. These activities were designed to help students think creatively about the issues surrounding them and build leadership and collaborative skills.

“I learnt that our challenges are something we can overcome, if we overcome these challenges then we will have new ideas and be in a right mind space to think about what next and solve problems.”

—B Thamanna

As one of their teachers put it, “I have never boarded a plane. They took a flight from Hyderabad to Mumbai, to represent our school and on returning, shared their experience with us. Hearing them speak about it, I felt like I was there with them too.”

At first the girls were apprehensive about being able to communicate with students from different states but these 3 days made them more confident than ever. Recalling her experience while preparing for her pre-boards, Thamanna said, “If we go to such events, our fear and other doubts about ourselves fade and our courage to do different things increases.”

Just like Thamanna and Shivani, our students Venu and Abhishek also got to travel to Guwahati and Delhi respectively to participate in new opportunities and showcases. While Venu won a prize for his multipurpose agricultural bag use at the Young Innovators Challenge, Abhishek co-presented the UNISOLVE platform and the multipurpose agricultural bag at the UN House.

As we transition into the new year, our hope is to nurture the innate problem solving capacity in millions of students like Thamanna and Shivani and to provide them with powerful exposure and opportunities that build a strong belief system around their own infinite capacities to impact the world.

And here’s a big cheer to you - for being a part of our mission and helping empower children. Thank you for your constant support and well-wishes. We wish you a Happy New Year 2023!

Inqui-Lab Foundation aims to nurture changemakers, entrepreneurs and innovators who can transform their communities and the world.

www.inquilabfoundation.org