Programs
Mann Deshi Champions : Champions Sports Program
Reacting to the needs of rural children, who live in families with low income, Mann Deshi Foundation launched a sports program in December, 2010, called ‘Mann Deshi Champions’. Without any advertisement – just a letter was sent to the principal at the local school – over 250 children registered within only one month.
The
goals of this program are multifold. In general, poor children in India will not
have access to any sports training due to lack of finance and availability of
facilities in rural places. As this program is free of charge, lack of finance
will no longer be a hindrance for the children. Mann Deshi provides the land
with the facilities and organizes teachers, who will train the children in
various disciplines such as football, volleyball, running, badminton, long
jumping, and various other fun games to increase overall fitness.
Currently,
a free bus service is organized to bring children from the town and the
surrounding villages to the training field.
Courses take place twice a day, every day of the week. In the morning, children who attend school in the afternoon will come, and in the afternoon, children who attend school in the morning will come. The program is targeted for children between 5th and 10th grade (approx. 10–16 years of age).
Skill
development.
Children quickly acquire physical, but also social skills, as they learn to form
a team, interact with other team members, submitting to rules, set ambiguous
targets and fight to achieve them – all while having fun with their friends from
school.
Clothing. Most children do not own shoes or sport outfits; therefore Mann Deshi provides sport shoes and clothes for all children who regularly attend the training sessions.
Medical
treatment. In addition, each child receives a regular, basic medical examination
(a problem often faced is worms, therefore de-worming is a critical treatment
Mann Deshi offers in order to prevent the children from loosing nutrients and
energy).
Meals. In order to supplement the often insufficient meals the children receive at home, each child is provided with a nutritious meal after the sports session, usually containing fruits, nuts and jaggery.