A Visit to an Old Age Home

Sidhartha Sen Gupta, Award Leader, Miles Bronson Residential School, Borjhar, Guwahati is sharing a brief report on behalf of Award participants about their visit to an Old Age Home.

On 17th of October, 2017 we went to an Old Age Home for the purpose of charity and service. It was 3:30 p.m. when we reached our destination. Honestly speaking, we were really nervous about meeting the people there. But visiting that place was one of the best things we could have ever done. Seeing the residents of the old age home for the first time set an usual feeling in our hearts. Taking a bundle of Diwali greetings cards in our hands, we first set off to interact with all the grandmas and grandpas. We were not really sure how to actually start a conversation but as we opened up to them, the warmth in their eyes melted our hearts. They shared their stories with us. It was indeed heartbreaking to hear that their children had abandoned them. Most

of them had diseases. We can, in fact, learn a lesson from them. We have everything that we need. Our parents try to provide us with all the happiness in life, yet we complain, asking for more, while they seem to be the happiest with just the little they have. The fact that we could actually make them happy and see them smile was the greatest feeling of satisfaction ever. We also met many disabled children and offered them chocolates. We played with them and enjoyed their friendliness. Spending time with them was a precious experience. We could bring a smile to their faces and that was the greatest feeling of self-satisfaction ever, because, at the end of the day, it is this happiness that counts. If those candles and candies were the gifts for the destitute this Diwali, for us it was their smiles and happiness.

Steps towards Service

Sidhartha Sen Gupta from Miles Bronson Residential School (MBRS), Borjhar, Guwahati is sharing a report on the Service Section.

Award participants along with Award Leaders and Mentors from MBRS visited the Missionaries of Charity, Old Age Home in Khanamukh, Guwahati on 15th June 2016 as a part of their Service project. We all were very curious and excited to visit the people over there. We had a good interactive session with the residents of the Old Age Home. We were touched by the sensitive attitudes of these homeless older people, who shared their thoughts and feelings with all of us. Indeed, they poured their hearts out and we were all touched by their stories. They made us feel a kinship, as if we are also a part of their life! We have learned that it’s the adaptability to the environment that is one of the strongest characteristics of a human being. The people we visited there were the epitome of camaraderie, united although all were from different backgrounds, they were happy and ready to lead a better life.

We were amazed to see that through our interaction many hearts were rejuvenated! They treated us as their own children by forgetting their sorrows and worries. It was a fabulous experience to see how happy they all were and made us realise that grandparents and parents are gifts of God, which should be preserved with love and care.

We promised them to visit again and again on a regular basis. We are thankful to our school fraternity for their whole hearted support and guidance and also for bestowing us an opportunity to extend ourselves to others’ needs, to turn their ‘Tears into Smiles’.

Blanket Donation Programme

Sidhartha Sen Gupta, Award Leader from Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam shares a report on the blanket donation programme by the Award participants of the school.

“Service to man is service to God!” With the advent of winter when early mist and cold slow our daily activities, there are many under-priveleged people who are at the mercy of all under the open sky! Nature responds to the cold and even the birds look for warmth and shelter.

Amidst this cold, when we prioritise our responsibilities towards the people around us, we also fulfill our life’s mission. This is the opportunity that IAYP participants get by their involvement in different activities. As IAYP is a life-enriching programme, we feel fortunate that on 11th December 2016 Sunday, we organised a ‘Blanket Donation Programme’ for the roadside dwellers of our city. It’s heartening to mention the response was hundred percent, with the presence of non-IAYP students and teachers too. And our next venture is to ensure the distribution of the collection in coming days.

This act of kindness will not only bring smiles to their faces but will also spread awareness about our responsibilities. “We may not eradicate the poverty of the whole nation, but if we take pledge to help at least one in our community; that’s great and thus we spread Humanity.”

Donate a Blanket, Save a Life

Two Silver Award participants, Shilpi Daimary and Kavery Mahela from Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, are sharing their experience during the Blanket Donation drive to protect pavement dwellers from the cold.

Inspired and motivated by the initiative of NDTV and Uday Foundation’s mission to keep the pavement dwellers of North India warm, we, the Award participants of Miles Bronson fraternity also joined hands in saving the lives of the people in need. On 3rd December 2015, it was announced in our morning assembly that we had to collect blankets and warm clothes for people who were dying from the cold on the streets, in slums, orphanages and old age homes. On Sunday, the 6th of December 2015, we collected a huge pile of old warm clothes and blankets from the Bronsonians and the teachers. It was wonderful to see that some of our teachers and Bronsonias brought not only old warm clothes but also new blankets, warm clothes, socks and gloves to keep people warm. After collecting the donations, on 13th December 2015, we, the Award participants, along with our mentors, distributed the blankets and warm clothes to the pavement dwellers living near the Sukreshwar Mandir, Panbazar, Guwahati. It was fulfilling to see the smiles on the faces of those pavement dwellers and we wish all our friends and teachers a heartfelt thank you in taking such initiatives and make someone's life worth living in cold winters. 

Asia Pacific Regional Training for Trainers (T4T) Workshop

2nd - 4th April 2016 at Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam

The Asia Pacific Regional Training for Trainers workshop was organized by the National Award Authority India (NAA) from 2nd to 4th April 2016 at Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam. The workshop was lead by Rob Oliphant (Asia Pacific Regional Programme Manager) along with Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager IAYP India). The workshop was attended by fifteen delegates including three delegates from Nepal.

The objective of the workshop was to train Award Leaders to become Award Trainers and the primary focus was on learning the use of training aids (visual, auditory, kinesthetic etc.) and presentations. The other sessions included: Training framework, Overview of NAOME assessment (needs, aim, objectives, methods, evaluation), Training needs analysis (TNA), Training design, Multiple intelligences, Development of training materials and training aids, Award mapping, Group work, Delivery styles & skills, Generation theory, Overview of International Award Foundation (IAF), Online Record Book (ORB), Quality assurance of Award units, Action planning & evaluation and Online Learning Hub (OLH).

In order to be proficient in any of the above mentioned aspects of training, the participants were instructed on their role and responsibilities as future Award Trainers and were taught the essentials of giving clear instructions for an activity during a presentation through NAOME, TRaM (task, reason, method), and CaRS (context, report back, summary). The delegates were introduced to different learning styles and the factors that keep the current generation motivated were also discussed. The delegates learnt the art of presentation of live scenarios to different stakeholders of the Award Programme.

The training team also shared the key notes and documents which will be useful for development of training aids. The workshop concluded on 4th April with the presentation of Training badges to the delegates by Founder & Principal Dr Nripen Dutta of Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam. A big thanks to Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam for their hospitality and support for conducting this workshop.

My visit to an orphanage

Alice Saha, Bronze  participant from Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati shares her wonderful learning experience

Human behavior is determined by two faces - physical and social - that humans are trying to understand and maintain since time immemorial. Being benevolent is one of the distinguished characteristics of our existence. This world is vast and we are the members of a big family. Thus inclusive education teaches us to include one and all in the system where there is no discrimination. As privileged children we need to embrace the marginalized members of society, spread awareness and bring a smile to their faces. With this mission in mind, a group of students from class 11 visited the St. Claret's Convent orphanage in the month of September 2015.

It's a great learning experience. During our visit we could feel that the orphanage authority takes good care of the children there. They looked very happy and satisfied. The most remarkable point is that these children receive quality education besides their daily requirements. They are very presentable and friendly and we enjoyed our chat with them. We took lots of chocolates, pencils, erasers and note books for them. We also tried to liven the mood by singing and dancing with them.

Truly, it was mentally satisfying to see the smiles that our small act of kindness could bring to their faces. I met a girl, Afrina, 8 years old, who taught me the lesson that strong determination can direct one to face all the odds in life. At such a small age she has already fixed her goal. She wants to become a teacher. Her life situation has made her strong and resilient and she is making the best use of the resources provided by the orphanage.

We are very lucky that MBRS has provided us with such opportunities of community service. Our visit to the orphanage was a new experience for us. I thank God for blessing us with wonderful parents and pray these orphans too find a better world tomorrow.Click for pictures

Charge to the Mountains!

A group of 43 Award participants (22 boys and 21 girls) from Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati set out for their Adventurous  Journey to Rocky Island in a valley near Darjeeling, West Bengal.  The group left for their destination on 20 Mar 2015 night by train and was accompanied by the Director (Pastoral Care), two House Mistresses and two Sports Teachers. Having reached the railhead New Jalpaiguri the next morning, they left for Rocky Island by bus. The thrill of the adventure began almost immediately when they stopped by a freshwater stream en route to relish their breakfast. Finally they reached the place by noon.

The group was accommodated in tents and huts with the support of a simple bathroom/toilet and a kitchen with open dining space. The young people enjoyed their meals and were happy to wash their utensils themselves. The main focus this time was Rock Climbing and Trekking. Special care was taken throughout the trip to ensure their safety and security. Participants freely roamed around in the surrounding hills and streams accompanied by their Instructors and escorts. They were made to wade through a challenging width of the fast flowing stream, learning to work as a team with close coordination to cross the stream. Rappelling and steel wire sliding were among the other activities conducted during the camp. 

During the afternoon session the participants practiced erecting tents and shelters with natural wood and the minimal material available. In the evening the group gathered around the campfire and participated in the music, dance and group games. 

On 23 Mar morning the group was guided on a trek through hills, deep forests and streams. They were taught various types of knots to be used while making support systems to cross streams and also given training on survival tactics in the jungle. By afternoon the group departed for New Jalpaiguri to return to Guwahati by rail. The group reached MBRS the next morning.

The participants learned not only basic life skills to survive in a jungle but also strengthened their confidence. The trip was a huge success and many of them can't wait for the next available opportunity to return to those environs again!

The Award programme -- a platform for continuous progress and well-being

Sudershan Kongkham, Gold Participant, Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati sharing his experience and achievement in the Physical Recreation section

At MBRS we indulge in various sports like football, volleyball, basketball, cricket, lawn-tennis, swimming, mini-golf, and other indoor games. Karate is an emerging physical activity along with yoga, to help us keep physically and mentally fit.

I started playing basketball and soccer as part of my Physical Recreation for the IAYP. I learnt fast and soon was selected as a part of the school's basketball and soccer team. My team mates and I were always hard at work, practicing together to perfect ourselves at the sports.

I participated in the North East Zone CBSE cluster tournament in 2014. We emerged as champions of the entire zone and got an opportunity to compete at the National level in Gujarat, representing the North East. Though we could not reach the finals, our hard work, perspiration, love and respect for the game rewarded us with the trophy for the "Most Disciplined Team" of the tournament.

I have learnt a lot while participating in these events: I have tasted both defeat and victory. I understand that failures are the pillars of success. So I am optimistic that I will achieve more success in the field of sports and games in the near future and bring glory to our esteemed institution. I am confident that I will be consistent and maintain a positive attitude towards fair-play and hold up the spirit of the games and sports. I am grateful to the Award, which has provided me with a platform to maintain a continuous progress both in the games I play and also in my general well-being. Click for pictures

Visit to Mother Teresa Old Age Home

Himshekhar Konwar, Silver level participant from Miles Bronson Residential School (MBRS), Guwahati, shares his teams' experience when they visited the Mother Teresa Old Age Home.

In this era where many leave their old parents homeless, there are a few angels of God who give these old people another chance at life in the comfort of a home. On 6th July 2014  we, the members of IAYP from MBRS, Guwahati visited the Mother Teresa Old Age Home. One of the members we met there was 105 years old and and lived there happily under the care of the 'angels of God'.  At present there are around 19 old people who are cared for by Ms Manika Sharma and her team.

We spent four hours with the old people, hearing their stories and their life experiences which brought tears to our eyes and made us realize deeply the importance of our parents in our life.

As part of of our entertainment effort, we sang several songs and one of the old grandmas sang to us the song of youth which describes the happy youth phase of life and advises us never to grow up! Then, we had a cake cutting ceremony by our grandma of 105 years, while we feasted on cake and soft drinks.

We left the home, our hearts filled with the simple purity of the old hearts who showered their blessing on us and through this we earned a great respect for them as well as for our parents. The time that we spent there is unforgettable and we will remember it in every phase of our life.  Click for more pictures

Manali, The Switzerland of India

A Report from Priyatma Ningthoujam (Bronze Aspirant)

On 24th November, 2014 a group of 20 Award aspirants of Miles Bronson Residential School participated in an adventure trip to the Himalayan ranges of Manali,  Himachal Pradesh. The group was led by Ms. Lipika Borah (Award Leader) along with Mr. Thomas P. It was a 12-day programme which included trekking, rafting and other adventure activities.

The team reached Manali early in the morning of 27th November. They did some local trekking that day and visited the hot springs and the Hadimba temple in Manali.

The next day was a day to play in the snow in Lothang pass. Each one of us experienced the snow for the first time.  Lothang pass can be called a natural paradise. The same day we came down to Solang valley and met an eminent personality called Sri Rajib Sharma who has spent the maximum time of his life in the mountains and was a victor over Mount Everest twice.

In Naggar (a place between Kulu and Manali) we camped for a night. It was a memorable experience and the students enjoyed a number of adventure activities such as monkey crawling, Burma crossing, rock climbing, zip lining, rafting etc. In that venue we had the amazing experience of night holding inside tents in the extreme cold.

We also trekked to a village called Heritage Village in Naggar which is popular in both Bollywood and Hollywood. Many of the famous films such as Jab We Met, Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani etc were pictured there. The forest is the state's most important wealth. The place had a very thick vegetation of pine, cedar, deodar, and apple.

We had the opportunity to visit a monastery in Mc. Leod Ganj where there is a residence of the Dalai Lama. Mc Leod Ganj is teeming with exiled Tibetan people.

Manali with its soothing backdrop of Himalaya has given us an unforgettable moments and memories in our life. This trip has taught us life skills like taking risks, having confidence in ourselves and the ability to take on challenges, and most importantly, developing team spirit and empathy.  Click for more pictures