Winter workshops for children conducted by Avenues were aimed at developing human capital through honing of talent
ALL CHILDREN want to learn. This may not be always be obvious because we often think of education solely in terms of what is taught in the classroom. But learning has to do with a lot more than just textbooks.
Children learn in so many different ways. It could be in picking up a novel, practising the guitar or painting, through sport, video games or even poking around a car’s engine. Each child has a set of skills, interests and talents that is unique. There is a world of opportunity out there, but are we encouraging the next generation to explore, to experience, to excel at something they love to do?
Twelve years ago Avenues began with a goal to transform an important aspect of a successful economy – the development of human capital – and since then, has reached out to over 12,000 people in Meghalaya.
Avenues is fuelled by a team of professionals who have given up opportunities and successful careers in other sectors because they believe that the key to success is leaving a legacy of passionate, transformative work that impacts community. The underlying theme of the work pursued, is the idea of allowing people to discover their best qualities, becoming who they want to be, while living a healthy, holistic and productive life. Avenues’ mission lies in capacitating anyone so inclined, with the skills to succeed anywhere.
These skills are often not taught in schools. Rote learning will only take you so far in today’s world. Of increasing importance is personal confidence and conduct. Giving a presentation in school, college or in the workplace requires a strong sense of self, positive body language, excellent pronunciation and clearness of thought. And in a country as diverse as India, with its myriad languages, religions and ethnic groups, our young people have to be culturally aware and open to ideas and viewpoints that are not their own. Today’s youth, the next generation of leaders, will also have more opportunities to interact with people from around the world. Cultural awareness, therefore, is crucial. But understanding culture has to start at home. We have to be aware of our own heritage, civic responsibility and environmental duties to be better able to develop into well-rounded adults.
Every year Avenues conducts winter workshops in December-January and this year the State Bank of India sponsored 25 underprivileged children to take part in the workshop. This season’s workshops were the 12th edition and new ideas are imparted each time through a special theme. This year they went ‘Back to Our Roots’ because Avenues believes we all need to understand where we’ve come from, to be better able to chart our future course.
In a multi-dimensional learning environment, students build on a core of improving communication skills, while also developing a positive attitude towards life, increasing awareness and respect for culture and over 150 participants between the ages of 4-15 were thoroughly encouraged to unleash their creative activities in the process.
All of this was not restricted to the walls of the Shillong Academy. This year Avenues had some memorable trips planned for the students, including a visit to the Iing Sad in Smit for lessons in culture and folklore, and a day out at the State Convention Centre’s banquet hall to rediscover the etiquette of social graces and table manners. Avenues also continued its partnership with Bethany Society in learning sign language and the entire batch of students presented a moving performance in sign language of the song ‘Light the Passion, Share the Dream’, which was also the theme for the graduation day, held on February 7. This is part of an attempt to mainstream disability and open the students up to experiences that teach respect for diversity, early on in life.
Graduation day also featured a Cultural Dance Confluence showcasing dances from Meghalaya and the rest of India. Songs were sung and poems recited, but one of the performances that is sure to have won the appreciation of all present was a silent skit on environmental destruction and the need for conserving our natural wonders.
Not all of the winter workshop students come in enthusiastic about being in a classroom environment during their holidays. But the faculty at Avenues has seen them all leave with a special glint in their eyes time and time again over the years. These workshops last a total of just 50 hours, but the children all leave with invaluable new skills, a host of new friends and memories of the fun and moments of self-discovery had, etched in their minds forever.
Avenues is currently working on structuring a partnership with the Government and private CSR stakeholders to take the state’s education scenario to another level. This involves empowering the state’s energetic youth with a drive to succeed by improving their skill sets through the innovative and engaging methods that Avenues has pioneered in the region. Besides this, the Academy is also looking forward to hosting the 12th Annual Summer Workshops in Personal Development and Life Skills that will cater to students who have just completed their exams, as well as college students looking to get a leg up and to stand out. This year’s summer workshops will also feature exciting mentorship opportunities through inspirational talks and seminars with Youth Icons from different walks of life.
“With India racing down the economic fast lane, the Northeast had to rise to meet new challenges and make use of its educated and driven youth successfully. Over time, we have branched out into a range of other verticals such as hospitality and event management, but the academy remains at the heart of the organisation and continues its work of inspiring youth across the region,” Mark Stone Laitflang, Avenues’ founder, said.
Passion keeps the Avenues team them going, developing new programmes and initiatives for school and college students, young professionals and corporate houses. They are especially fond of the winter and summer workshops because the staff are given a chance to inspire and encourage youngsters in an environment of fun, allowing the trainers to live out their passions by helping others explore theirs.