Nirmaan stands as a beacon of hope in our society, rooted in humanity and driven by passionate volunteers committed to transformative change. This esteemed organization embodies values of unwavering commitment, resilience, hard work, and an emotional journey of both tears and joy.
Since its humble beginnings in 2005, Nirmaan has grown remarkably, reaching grassroots levels and empowering individuals to achieve unprecedented heights. Celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, we reflect on a transformative journey where Nirmaan's selfless volunteers have dedicated themselves to uplifting and empowering the residents of Pilani.
At the heart of Nirmaan are eleven dynamic ongoing projects, each contributing proactively to society's betterment. These initiatives focus on three key domains: education, women's empowerment, and community development, cumulatively impacting countless lives. Nirmaan's significant initiatives and notable milestones have been made possible by the unwavering dedication of BITS Pilani student volunteers.
The School Adoption Program (SAP) by Nirmaan focuses on improving government schools at the foundational level, currently centered on Rajkiya Adarsh Uchh Madhviya Vidyalaya in Pilani. The program enhances infrastructure, academics, and student development. Recent achievements include renovations, safety installations, academic monitoring, and holistic development workshops. SAP produced a 100% pass rate for 10th-grade board exams and aims to secure better funding for further improvements, such as smart classrooms and scholarship schemes.
Shiksha Ki Ore (SKO) by Nirmaan provides quality education to children in rural areas and fosters community development, focusing on Natt Basti near BITS Pilani. SKO has enrolled over 15 children in formal schooling and regularly monitors student and teacher performance. It also organizes workshops, extracurricular activities, and mentorship programs. SKO's efforts include creating a library, conducting physical and mental well-being sessions, and celebrating festivals with the community.
Gyaan Bodh Baas (GB Baas) supports the primary education and moral development of less fortunate children in Baas village and Shahi School. The project involves regular visits, educational assistance, and talks about renovating the school. GB Baas aims to empower children by providing educational support and promoting positive values.
Pilani Ki Pathshala (PKP) enhances the well-being of children in Mungda Basti by providing education, financial assistance, and support. The program aims to achieve economic independence for the community and expand its initiatives. Recent activities include conducting surveys, resuming offline classes, introducing a syllabus, and preparing for the installation of a projector. PKP also provides long-term educational support through initiatives like Pranyas and scholarships.
Project Unnati focuses on empowering women in Pilani by providing them with skills to achieve financial independence. It offers training in everyday essentials for sale, enabling women to generate income. Achievements include training beneficiaries in stitching, which has increased their ability to produce and sell items. The project also saw success in generating revenue through the sale of organic Holi colors and plans to introduce new ventures like Paper Mache products. Unnati continuously prepares beneficiaries with the skills and resources needed to sustain their financial autonomy.
Swayamshakti empowers rural women by training them in needlework, weaving, embroidery, and decorative arts. Highlights include vocational training, certification, conducting a Diploma test, spreading awareness about hygiene and health, and selling handcrafted items during festivals. Swayamshakti also organizes recreational activities and plans to expand its product range due to high demand.
Pragati, based on the VTC model, aims to instill self-confidence and independence in rural women by teaching embroidery and other skills. The project offers training sessions, awareness talks, and opportunities to sell embroidered goods at local stalls. Pragati collaborates with Swayamshakti for festive celebrations and product sales. Future plans include setting up online purchase and delivery options to reach a broader audience.
Participatory Community Development (PCD) fosters community growth by involving residents in addressing local issues. Achievements include installing a sanitary pad vending machine, approving a budget for SKO school renovation, improving waste management in Natt Basti, and addressing non-operational toilets. PCD collaborates with other projects like Unnati to expand its initiatives.
Project Udaan aims to empower youth by providing employment opportunities, financial assistance, and upskilling courses. Highlights include conducting RSCIT tests, arranging scholarships, and preparing beneficiaries for ITI exams. Udaan collaborates with local companies and factories to provide jobs and plans to offer a basic computer course. The project continuously works to expand its scope and help beneficiaries pursue various careers.
Project Utkarsh is dedicated to preventing school dropouts among underprivileged students by providing scholarships. It raises funds from faculty members to support these scholarships, ensuring that deserving students have the financial means to continue their education. By addressing the financial barriers to education, Project Utkarsh helps sustain students' academic journeys and fosters long-term educational attainment. The project plays a crucial role in promoting equal opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to afford schooling.
Project Disha educates high school students from Hemant Academy, Kids Garden, and other schools under Nirmaan about various job opportunities available post-graduation. It provides detailed career guidance and offers mentorship through personalized one-on-one sessions. This support helps students make informed decisions about their future career paths. By broadening their understanding of potential job prospects, Project Disha empowers students to pursue their aspirations with confidence.
Nirmaan’s School Adoption Program (SAP), with Amazon's CSR support, has significantly improved the education quality at Rajkiya Ucch Madhyamik Vidyalaya. The project has built and furnished a library with 100+ books, provided sports equipment, installed new benches and chairs, and constructed a boundary wall, shed, and railings for student safety. This initiative has impacted over 700 students and 20 staff members.
Project Utkarsh provides scholarships to underprivileged students to prevent school dropouts. Over the past two years, it has supported the education of more than 150 students in Pilani, thanks to contributions from BITS faculty.
In the past two years, Nirmaan has constructed several toilets across various bastis, including three recent constructions. The organization aims to build 30 more toilets in Asan Jodh basti under the Swachh Bharat Mission-IHHL initiative.
Nirmaan's projects have empowered over 50 women by providing essential skills and resources. A skill certification exam was conducted in collaboration with SINGER for 30+ beneficiaries, along with several workshops held throughout the year.