THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Project Shine, which was started by the 1991 alumni of Sainik School Kazhakkoottam two years ago, has since evolved into a holistic learning programme for tribal students in Attappady hamlets. Ninety-nine tribal students of current batch preparing for the SSK entrance will get a textbook incorporating their community's history along with scientific aspects. SSK alumnus Rajeev Sadanandan, an additional chief secretary, will release it on Saturday at Attappady Hill Area Development Society (AHADS), Agali.
Class V tribal students belonging to various government schools who got training under 'Project Shine' for the All India Sainik School Entrance exams are coming out with a manuscript on how to combat malnutrition. They are taught 'what is earth?, solar system, how was I born? How does life form? The origin of human being and animals and depletion in ozone layer opening a new gamut of experience for them. “Project Shine 2 has helped the children to discover their real potential and thereby mould them into agents of change in their community.
“It has empowered the children to complete a health survey within their community and collate the findings, all by themselves,” said Babu Mathew, convener of Project Shine. He is assisted by his wife Litty George, one of the key facilitators. The students will be coming out with manuscripts so that it would be easy for them to take photostat copies and all the 99 students get their copy. Seven tribal students who had been lucky to get admitted at SSK last year into sixth grade - R. Vishnu, R. Aneesh, N. Binuraj, B. Hari, M. Midhin, K. Manikantan and B. Sivakumar spearheaded this year’s camp.
