The main aim of the Seeds of Change project, the core of our sports and games programme, is to involve children is sports with a difference. The games not only promote the well-being of children, but the carefully designed and constructed activities have a deeper and far reaching pedagogical aim to pick relevant themes of the communities such as waste management and hygiene and raise awareness through the games. This unique concept of “playdagogie” enables children to be change agents in society. On a social impact level these games, involving children of both genders and irrespective of backgrounds, become catalysts for social inclusion through active sports and games.
The Program was launched in 2014 originally in collaboration with Chemins D’enfances, a French NGO. All the children of Sharana Gayatri House and Summer Camps benefit from the program. Currently over 1,000 children aged 6-14 have participated in activities conducted by the Seeds of Change team.
The sports and games project adapts a methodology conceived and developed by the French NGO Pl4Y International, called “Playdagogy”. According to this, games are given an active role in the learning process because in this way children play and enjoy activities that facilitate the assimilation of the messages and practices organically. Play also improves the children’s physical condition, and allows them constructive time to socialize with other children, and develop their communication and interaction skills.
During the week, the Seeds of Change team organizes activities in schools and slums, and in the two villages during the weekend. Each activity session lasts at least one hour and every week an average of 10 activities are conducted. The project currently runs in 2 slums and 5 schools in and around Pondicherry as well in the regular activities held within the Sharana programs.
