Vocational Training & Night Study Centre : Project Update 2023-24
Vocation Training Centre for Excellence
Director: Rtn. Gautam Doshi
Chair: Rtn. Leonard Salins
Co-chair: Rtn. Anand Parikh
Status of projects completed during the year: April 1st, 2023 to March 31st, 2024:
Approximately 2260 students enrolled for various courses at the Vocational Training Centre for Excellence. Awareness programme: The Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika E ward invited Bombay YMCA to put up a stall on 28/04/23 to promote awareness about the Vocational Training Courses that we offer. The ORD department had put up a stall and the social worker, along with the teachers had distributed the pamphlets with the information of the courses.
Workshop and demonstration: A workshop training on Automatic Tailoring Machines was conducted by USHA company on 24/08/23 and 25/08/23. A demo was given on the different parts of the machine and how to operate the sewing machine. Also, a small demo of machine embroidery was done. Olympiad Exams for students from BMC and private schools: Olympiad exams were conducted by MKCL at the YMCA ORD department from 12/12/23 – 18/12/23. Around 50 government and private schools were approached and were encouraged to participate in the Olympiad exams. The ORD Department spoke to the headmasters of these schools and provided information about the exam. 150 students enrolled for the Olympiad exam through the YMCA.
Cancer Check-up camp: The Vocational Training Centre along with Reliance Foundation organized a free Cancer Screening and Prevention Awareness Camp on World Cancer week on February 7th, 2024. This camp was conducted at the Bombay YMCA International House. There were around 150 women students who were screened for cancer and were given information on prevention and care. Basic medical tests were conducted and basic medication was provided.
Certificate Distribution
Programme for Vocational Training Centre of Excellence: The Bombay YMCA and the Rotary Club of Bombay collaborated once again for the annual certificate distribution programme for Vocational Training Centre of Excellence (VTCE) students. This event was held on March 5th, 2024 at the Bombay YMCA International House from 4 pm to 5:30 pm and aimed to honour students who have completed their courses. The distinguished guests included RCB President Manoj Padodia, Rtn. Anand Parikh (Co-chair of Vocational Training and Night Study Centre), Rtn. Leonard Salins (Chairman of Vocational Training and Night Study Centre), and Mr. Philip Kassey (Chairman of the Outreach and Development Department at Bombay YMCA). The programme showcased the talents of the vocational class students through dance performances, drama, and solo singing. Three students shared compelling testimonies about their learning journeys at the YMCA. President Manoj delivered a short and impactful motivational speech, encouraging the students to pursue their goals and emphasising that age is no bar.
The highlight of the event was the certificate distribution with President Manoj and our distinguished guests personally handing out certificates to 65 students. Saurav Sachin Kamble scored 100% in Advanced Excel, Aaliya Rizwan Valiyani scored 93% in MS-CIT, and 56 students scored an A grade out of 65 students Focussing on Job oriented new courses: Shorthand classes were introduced during the year in our centre and there are six students who have enrolled.
Number of Beneficiaries: 2981
Status of ongoing projects: The above mentioned data indicates that from the month of June 2023 to April 2024 approximately 2981 students enrolled in various courses at the Vocational Training
Night Study Centre
A Scholarship Award function was organised on December 30th, 2023 wherein 27 students from the 11 Night Study Centres who excelled in the HSC and SSC exams in 2022-23 were felicitated.
The dignitaries present for this programme were President Manoj Patodia, Mr. Sunil Lobo (President of Bombay YMCA), and Mr. Leonard Salins (General Secretary of Bombay YMCA). President Manoj, Mr. Lobo and Mr. Salins addressed the students and parents by sharing their personal experiences on how family and friends play important roles in achieving success in life. They also encouraged the girls not to limit themselves to obtaining a graduation degree, but to aspire to reach the heights of their dreams. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Sheetal Gupta, Assistant Secretary of Bombay YMCA.
Youth Training Programme: The Rotary Club of Bombay and the Bombay YMCA organised a youth training programme for all the students who had appeared for standards 10 and 12. This programme was organised by the Rotary Club Bombay at the YMCA International House for 60 students from March 27th to 31st, 2023. In the sessions, they have covered topics on career guidance and personality development along with games and various activities.
NSC Get-Together Programme: The Bombay YMCA and Rotary Club of Bombay organised a get-together programme for the students of the Night Study Centre on February 17th, 2024 at Bombay YMCA International House. Around 500 students and teachers were present from 11 NSC classes for this get-together programme. This year each centre performed dance, speech, and drama on different state cultures. Different competitions like drawing, essay writing, art and craft were organised in each Night Study Centre prior to this function.
The dignitaries present for this programme were President Manoj, Mr. Lobo, Mr. Salins, and Mr. Phillip Kassey Chairman of Bombay YMCA ORD Department. This programme is very important for the Night Study Centre because it increases the exposure to talents and extracurricular activities for children. Finally, each student received gifts of books and also prizes for those who performed well in the different competitions.
Status of ongoing project: The Night Study Centre project was conducted in 11 BMC schools and Community places.
Providing Nutritious Evening Snacks to all students of the Night Study Centre. Monthly average of 415 students per month. Number of Bbeneficiaries: 3913, for the nutrition programme for the Night Study Centre.