ASAP - We are Here to Make a Difference

The turning point in our lives often come when we least expect it. The ASAP training from 21^st January 2013 to 24^th January 2013 held at Pazhakulam Social Service Society in association with Thoughts Academy was perhaps the most important turning point in the lives of so many individuals who attended it.

Just like the others, I had no idea what was in store when I said yes to the ASAP training program. It was a new venture and there was hardly any information about it on online resources.

We were introduced to the project – or rather a mission as I would like to put in – on the very first day. Anil Kumar Sir and Madhusudanan Sir provided a wonderful insight into the mission, its objectives and its hopefully far-reaching results. Rather than a purely educational venture, this is a truly unique initiative which was completely unexpected yet just what the present educational scenario demanded.

There are lots of scholarships, sponsorships and opportunities available for the intelligent and high scorers in schools and colleges. In fact, parents, teachers, tutors and the concerned authorities totally focus on these A-graded individuals.

But what happens to the other half especially in government schools? What happens to those kids who score low? Why do they score low in the first place? What kind of living conditions and families do these children come from? Nobody was bothered. Until now.

Now there is a voice for these kids. A voice that says ‘We do care’. An initiative that seeks to bring out the best in these kids, instill them with the confidence to dream big and help them attain goals never imagined possible. Now there is ASAP.

ASAP stands for Additional Skill Acquisition Program. Behind this rather formal and technical sounding name is the sincere effort of a highly driven team committed to making a difference to the lives of thousands of kids across Kerala.

The kids targeted may not be the best in the class or come from families with parents eager to see their kids rise high in life. These kids may not have parents at all. The conditions many of these come from or the situations the kids face everyday may simply be unimaginable for most of us. In fact, these kids have every possible reason to drop out from school, end up in bad company, turn to criminal activities or simply vanish as wasted lives.

This is where ASAP enters the scene.

The highly motivational and focused ASAP training provided to us by Praveen Sir and Manoj Sir– Mr. Praveen Parameswar and Manoj Meledath of Thoughts Academy – was aptly named ‘transformational training’. It was transformational in every respect.

ASAP training definitely transformed traditional concepts of imparting knowledge. The training proved the fact that learning can actually be a fun-filled and engaging process. ASAP SDE’s do not intend to subject children and young adults to endless hours of lecturing, hectic note-taking or burdensome assignments.

The students will learn but without the pressure associated with traditional classes. There will be more opportunities for interaction, there will be more raised hands eager to share their views and there definitely will be a gradual but visible transformation in the entire personality of the students.

Of course, setbacks, disappointments and frustration are to be expected as are the joys of making a difference. But that does not mean we will not try.

ASAP is just taking its first steps. The road ahead is long and rough. But together we will make a difference.