India Literacy Project

ILP Hyderabad aims to promote literacy through the reading habit. Reading helps to foster a value system and of course empowers children with a leisure activity that is parallel to none. It opens vistas, expands knowledge and builds dreams.

What is the mission of ILP Hyderabad chapter?

Our mission is a very simple basic statement, “Take literacy to schools”. Our near term objective is to identify and implement measures that enhance the literacy level in nearby needy schools. One such measure is the creation of a mobile library that can be taken to schools by turn on certain days of the week. The aim remains to foster literacy with the help of stories, shared reading, follow-up activities –and to build and use library resources.

How does ILP Hyderabad operate? What is the aim and how to go about it?

The primary aim of ILP Hyderabad is two fold:

· Promote literacy through the reading habit.

· Contribute something that will sustain and that is beyond token volunteering

The idea is to use effective methodology and ensure a gradual passing on of that training to the school teachers

What methodology does ILP Hyderabad use?

ILP Hyderabad uses the Shared Book Approach to promote literacy. The basic premise is that children will learn to read and write naturally and easily if we provide them with an environment that is motivating, non-competitive and that provides them with opportunities to get familiar with print in a fun way.

The reading interest will be promoted both in English and Telugu.

To this effect we started our first project with a methodology that requires volunteers to read stories, attract attention to print and excite interest in story books.

As with any effort, it’s the people who nourish the spirit of the action. ILP Hyderabad, welcomes new volunteers, suggestions and ideas that will enable it to make a real difference in the lives of a few.

Can you describe the methodology in detail?

To promote the reading interest:

· Immerse the environment in English both visually and orally. Augment this with translation into Telugu/local language to ensure that the class is in synch and grasps what we are reading.

· Greet in English and show the written greeting

· Read a story or poem in big print, so the whole class can see. The story should be dramatic, have elements of repetition and something that a child can relate to

· Point as you read.

· Read with expression—let yourself go! Go have fun -idea is to make the children love the language, get curious about the print and want to read.

· Maintain the flow of the story—children should always view this as a story telling session. And so should you!

· After finishing you could ask questions, encourage comment, dramatize certain words or sentences. Encourage vocalization

· Read story again—leave gaps for children to fill in as you point to the word without saying it. These words initially will be the dramatic ones like—“Oh no!” , “Hot”, or “ POP!” or ones that are repeated very often in the story.

· Have word/phrase cards ready. Children can come up and match these with the same print in the book

· Do an activity related to the story. - drawing/craft/clay modeling. Remember to give the child complete freedom—the product need not be perfect at all—it should be an expression of the child’s interpretation of his experiences—this is emergent writing

· Whenever possible label clearly—or write for the child as he vocalizes.

· Encourage writing / copying with little attention to spelling

· Distribute books and encourage children to read and look through them. They are not expected to read word by word. The idea is to generate interest and curiosity.

Why is literacy important?

Learning how to learn is one of the most important tools we can give to children. The crucial factor that promotes or hinders success in today’s society is the ability to access, understand and use different types of information. Literacy skills are essential for success in today’s complex and technological world.

Does ILP Hyderabad actually work directly with children? Do the volunteers teach at schools or read to children?

Yes, there are ILP Hyd frontline volunteers actually spend time reading to children and interacting with them at nearby schools with the aim of promoting literacy through the reading habit. There are also several volunteers that help out with other tasks such as fund-raising, creating literacy related resources etc.

What are ILP Hyderabad’s administrative costs?

Zero. All operational expenses are borne by the volunteers. All funds are used for materials used in spreading literacy.

There are various ways in which you can contribute. You can volunteer your time and skills to help us realize our mission. Please see our <concept note> or read more details on volunteering below.

Alternately you can donate money or stationery items (books, pencils, chart paper etc).

Are my donations tax deductible? Is ILP registered as a non-profit charitable organization in USA? India? Both?

India Literacy Project is a registered non-profit organization and donations to ILP in the USA are 100% tax-deductible under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code in USA. ILP in India is a registered Charitable Organization. Donations made in India are 50% deductible under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Does ILP Hyderabad have a document introducing ILP that I can use to provide information to prospective organizations?

Yes, you may download and use this <lLink TODO >

Are ILP Hyderabad’s activities confined to the Madhapur school only?

While our initial focus was in the Madhapur area we have begun exploring expanding our activities and reaching out to other schools. As our volunteer base grows we will be happy to reach out to more schools.

Would ILP Hyderabad be interested in other literacy related activities or initiatives?

We are open to any ideas about any other activities we can take up. For example, a recent suggestion was to initiate some means of improving the literacy of the children of domestic help employed in our homes.

We are also very open to suggestions on changes to any of our current activities. It is a voluntary, democratic group and generally driven by collective consensus. Overall it is an informal group, which is at this point still evolving and open to change.

What does it mean to volunteer?

We would like to emphasize that participation is completely voluntary and flexible. The degree of commitment / participation is adjustable, adaptable, flexible and it does not have to take over your life

Also, if you are volunteering you can also have back-ups for the responsibilities that you take up, so in case something unexpected comes up you can always call on one of the joint-owners and that way ensure continuity in the activities of the chapter.

If I become a volunteer, is that an end of my social life? Will I have time to do anything else?

You volunteer your time To THE EXTENT YOU CAN. Our volunteers come from all walks of life - students, children, professionals, doctors, engineers, housewives, etc. with each contributing in their own way.

Instead of it being a burden, we believe it has enriched our lives by providing opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.

How can I volunteer?

A volunteer can choose to be a core member or an active member.

What does it take to be a core member?

You can become a core member by:

· Contributing Rs 100/- every month

· Taking ownership of any one of the front facing or back-office roles

· Committing at least 2 hours a month for ILP

Core members also agree to be on call so that they can be reached out to at short notice whenever there is any need of assistance in any of the ILP activities.

What does it take to be an active member?

An active member is anyone who wants to contribute and be involved but is unsure of a long-term commitment, or is unable to commit to a field activity role.

You can become an active member by:

· Contributing Rs. 25/- a month for ILP.

· Optional: Ownership (individual or shared) of a back-office role

So if you are unable to give fixed time to front-facing role but can only
make it once in a while, or if you are unsure and just want to try the
waters first - don't hesitate, come join and then decide and you adjust your participation level once you feel comfortable.

ILP

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