2. RISINGTOTHE
NEWNORMALASA
TRIBE.
'TOGETHER'
'TOGETHER'
'TOGETHER'
INTRO
THIS IMPACT REPORT IS ABOUT:
2000+ kids on the verge of dropping out of school due to the pandemic, getting back their dream future.
Digitisation of our classrooms, that looked almost impossible at the beginning, but an effective virtual learning strategy
implemented through a community of change-makers, made it happen.
Resilience in the face of uncertainty. It is about a student who creates a study bulb from scratch when there was a power
cut, proving that there's no giving up.
This Impact Report is about Rising Together in the midst of uncertainities.
3. HOW DID WE
HOW DID WE
HOW DID WE
RISE TOGETHER
RISE TOGETHER
RISE TOGETHER
IN THE MIDST OF
IN THE MIDST OF
IN THE MIDST OF
A PANDEMIC
A PANDEMIC
A PANDEMIC?
?
?
4.
5. At U&I we’ve always believed in the power of community. Despite the 2020-2021 academic year being tremendously challenging, there
have been remarkable stories of resilience, ingenuity, and creativity.
When faced with this never-ending wave of Covid-19, U&I partnered with five other non-profits to fight the humanitarian crisis that the
migrant community faced during the lockdown. We saw ordinary people sacrifice their time and resources to serve the migrants.
Digitisation of our classrooms was a Goliath of a challenge to begin with, but we took it one step at a time. It was heartwarming to see our
corporate partners and individuals coming forward to donate their devices. This was the first step to making our centers digital-ready. From
then on, we heard ‘everyday stories’ of challenges, of victories, of innovation and creativity happening on a small scale in every center
proving a big impact.
The power of community and the power of education – are the building blocks of U&I. In 2020-2021, we saw lives transformed by these two
ideas in action. We’ve captured those stories in this annual report. But, more importantly, we’ve captured the hearts of India’s
disadvantaged men, women and children as well as upwardly mobile volunteers, who created change together.
Thank you for rising together with us on this journey.
Our Best,
AJIT SIVARAM & SATISH MANCHIKANTHI
Co-founders, U&I
9. U&I'S
VISION
U&I IS A 'FOR IMPACT' MOVEMENT FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING,
ENABLING & ENGAGING CHANGEMAKERS ACROSS INDIA TO
CATALYSE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION.
42,095
42,095
42,095
LIVES IMPACTED
5000+
5000+
5000+
VOLUNTEERS
65
65
65
FULL TIME STAFF
27
27
27
CITIES ACROSS INDIA
12. U&I TEACH
TEACH
TEACH
ENABLING CHILDREN FROM UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS INDIA TO DREAM
BIGGER, THROUGH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO AFTER-SCHOOL EDUCATION.
2000
2000
2000
VOLUNTEERS
1449STUDENTS
1449STUDENTS
1449STUDENTS
IN 2020-2021
IMPACTED
16. THROUGH U&I CARE, OUR TEAM WORKS WITH DISADVANTAGED MEN, WOMEN AND
CHILDREN WHO HAVE LESSER ACCESS TO A BETTER LIVING AND TRANSFORMING THEIR
LIVES BY PROVIDING THEM CARE AND REDUCED DEPENDENCY.
182SPECIALNEEDS
182SPECIALNEEDS
182SPECIALNEEDS
MEN AND WOMEN
44ABANDONED
44ABANDONED
44ABANDONED
TODDLERS AND KIDS
TO IMPACT
U&I CARE
CARE
CARE
20. U&I IGNITE
IGNITE
IGNITE
A VOLUNTEERING ECOSYSTEM THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER A MILLION ACTIVE CITIZENS TO
TAKE ACTION. THROUGH ONLINE AND IN-PERSON INITIATIVES, IGNITE BRIDGES THE GAP
BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS AND NGO’S.
41,209INDIVIDUALS
41,209INDIVIDUALS
41,209INDIVIDUALS
WE IMPACTED
59
59
59
IN 2020-2021
ACROSS
CENTERS AND COMMUNITIES
COVID-19RELIEF
COVID-19RELIEF
COVID-19RELIEF
15
15
15
TO MIGRANTS AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN
CITIES ACROSS INDIA
THROUGH
21. TOGETHER
TOGETHER
TOGETHER
WE PARTNER
WE PARTNER
WE PARTNER
THANKING OUR INCREDIBLE PARTNERS
WE COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED ANY OF THE THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR
INCREDIBLE PARTNERS.
25. TEACH
TEACH
TEACH
U&I
MISSION
Equip young people to invest in the lives of at-risk and disadvantaged children through impactful, high-quality education and mentorship.
WHY
Almost 50% of students drop out before they enter high school. Many of these children find themselves as daily wage earners, and the
cycle of poverty continues. Ever since the pandemic, these figures have doubled.
WHO
We recruit, motivate, train and walk alongside thousands of volunteers so they display incredible passion, energy and commitment to the
cause of giving the next-generation a leg up, to bring radical change in the lives of under-served children across the nation.
HOW
Through U&I Teach, our committed tutors invest in the lives of under-served children through an after-school education held both online
and offline.
26. ONLINELEARNING
ONLINELEARNING
ONLINELEARNING
RISINGTO
THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, STUDENTS FROM UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS
INDIA HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST.
AMPLIFIEDSUMMERSLIDE
AMPLIFIEDSUMMERSLIDE
AMPLIFIEDSUMMERSLIDE
Students fall back up to 3 months in maths and reading over the summer break.
A recent study showed that students in 3rd to 5th Standard lost an average of 20% of reading gains and 27% of math gains from the
previous school-year, during their summer break.
OFFLINE=OUTOFSCHOOL
OFFLINE=OUTOFSCHOOL
OFFLINE=OUTOFSCHOOL
27. FLATTEN THE
SCHOOL DROPOUT
CURVE
In 2020, Children from
Indian households didn’t have
access to online schooling.
A majority of students didn't
have access to smart phones
resulting in discontinued
education.
76%
76%
76%
29. DIGITIZEDLEARNING
DIGITIZEDLEARNING
DIGITIZEDLEARNING
TOGETHERWE
U&I’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL STRATEGY DURING THE PANDEMIC
1. 'DONATE YOUR DEVICE' CAMPAIGN
Through a successful 2 month long 'Donate your Device' campaign, Laptops, Wi-Fi connection, router, UPS, power strips and computer
accessories were installed, turning our centers into fully functional digital learning classrooms.
2. CUSTOMISED DIGITAL LEARNING INTERVENTIONS
Worksheet booklets and video teaching concepts for Nursery - Level 8
Holistic program worksheets - 9 modules
Activity kits and library books
Online resource on the digital library encouraged independent student work
Since the pandemic, U&I has worked on digitising lesson plans, creating a digital library of resources that volunteer teachers can access for
effective teaching.
LOW OR NO CONNECTIVITY
30. Using digital devices (laptops, phones, tablets) and following our regular curriculum workbooks.
HIGH CONNECTIVITY
3. 2:5 TEACHER STUDENT RATIO
With a teacher student ratio of 2:5, students received focused attention resulting in better learning. In small groups, we saw higher student
engagement, where ideas and creativity multiplied 2 times. Students could learn at their own pace and the dual-teacher system ensured
that in case of network issues, learning stayed uninterrupted.
4. TEACHING METHODOLOGY & ONLINE ASSESSMENTS
In partnership with Mindtree Foundation, U&I has developed a student & class tracking portal, to ensure students receive quality education
no matter the location. Periodic assessments coupled with weekly feedback loops with key stakeholders ensure classes stay effective.
32. DIGITALLEARNING
CURRICULUM
CURRICULUM
CURRICULUM
ENGLISH
Fluency in written and spoken english.
Learning level is customized based on a pre-assessment in listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar.
2 MAJOR LEVELS -
1. Pre Primary (Nursery, LKG and UKG)
2. Primary (Levels 1 to 8)
TUTORING
Core subjects - Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Commerce and Economics.
To help students achieve a satisfactory score in their school examination, so they are able to graduate to the next
grade and move up the ladder.
Identify learning lags and employ creative strategies to help them build foundational skills.
DIGITAL RESOURCE PACKS
INTERACTIVE ANIMATION & GAMES
CREATIVE LESSON PLANS
TEACHER AIDS
WORKSHEETS & VIDEOS
ONLINE LIBRARY
33. COUNSELING PROGRAM
Support students to grow holistically and be well-rounded individuals.
We partner with professional counselors to deliver one on one, or group sessions to our children.
In 2020-2021, most of our counselling sessions were delivered online.
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Seeks to guide students in developing essential life skills through a 6 or 3 hour programme, delivered at the Center
and implemented regularly in tandem with their academic classes. We provide counselling to any student who
require it and a weekly guided reading programme - which builds confidence, nurtures imagination and reading
fluency.
Leaders at our learning centers choose from a set of 9 programmes - according to what would be most suited to
the skill lag of students -
1) Health and Hygiene
2) Careers and Aspirations
3) Respecting my Community
4) Respecting my Environment
5) Fitness and Well-being
6) Positive Mental Health
7) Personal Safety
8) Covid-19 Hygiene Awareness
9) Covid-19 Positive Mental Health
35. - KALYANI NIWAS,
GUWAHATI
“In the beginning, both kids and their parents were apprehensive about online classes, and we had very few
students to start the virtual curriculum. There was a high chance of kids and volunteer teachers dropping
out in the beginning at all our Learning Centers. With the right encouragement from the leadership, team-
spirit and momentum, more students joined the curriculum despite of all the challenges that came along
with it. Their parents didn't have the technical knowledge or resources, yet they managed to collect the
worksheets from the school. This in itself is a breakthrough story, as we were able to convince the parents
and kids that online classes are a possibility.
The adaptability from children and the parents. is a huge success for Nirmala Vidhyalaya.
- NIRMALA VIDHYALAYA,
BANGALORE
At U&I Guwahati, we've always put our kids first. We couldn't let the pandemic dim their spirits or their
access to quality education(which is their right!). With this intention in mind, KN envisioned starting off
online classes, as a matter of fact, we were the first center in the entire U&I family to go online. Furthermore,
with the rigorous assistance of other centers under U&I Guwahati, we started off a campaign called 'Teach
for Tech', wherein we appealed to people to donate their devices like laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile
phones that our children can use to study. This helped us to kickstart our program and to get access to their
lessons with the cooperation of our volunteers. Moreover, we at Kalyani Niwas worked relentlessly every day
(quite literally)!
As a result, we were able to overcome the problems that circumscribed growth and learning in our kids
from the very beginning of the pandemic, which resulted in the smooth functioning of the center
throughout the year. This was our breakthrough!
36. TEACH IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
ONLINE
ASSESSMENTS
HOLISTIC
DEVELOPMENT
Average Growth across
32%
COUNSELLING
SESSIONS
OFFLINE
ASSESSMENTS
(WORKSHEET MODEL)
Centers
49
Average student performance
in remote assessments across
72%
Centers
11
of Holistic Teaching
3788 HOURS
Online Assessment
603 Students
average growth
13%
(Remote Assessment - worksheet
model) - 73% average score
34 Students
LIBRARY
SESSIONS
Creative Reading Sessions
518
Minutes of Creative Reading
7770
Students
115
Cities
12
Sessions
306+
37. Two kids from our center got selected into IIIT (which was their dream). We're so proud of
them, for being dedicated towards their academics and how they utilised limited resources in
the right way. So happy to share this with you all.
- SNEHALAYA, GUWAHATI
We focused on 8 specific students to ready them for their board exams
and Pre-university college. Our volunteers and leaders were hell-bent in ensuring the
classes went smoothly. We had 3-4 sessions per day every weekend. By April, our
students were ready to score 80%+ in their board exams. With such hard working
leaders, volunteers and students, we were ready to move any mountain.
- AJITHA NELE, MYSORE
Apart from academics, we helped our students in fostering their hidden talent. One of our
student won a State Level Speech competition on Women Empowerment, for which our leader
(Monami) helped her. We conducted online talent shows in our center, where our students
narrated self-written poems and stories, sang songs and showcased dance performances.
- KALYANI NIWAS TUITION, GUWAHATI
38. Kids were made aware of important topics that are generally considered taboo, so they
become more sensitive and even responsible. Topics on racial discrimination, body
shaming, gender identity & equality, importance of time and money, self-love,
agriculture & farming, art & craft, were touched upon. We faced hesitation initially,
however we found a positive response from the LCPs and students for making the kids
aware of these valuable topics.
- PSF PONDICHERRY
Our volunteers ideated some of the most creative and innovative online tools, from white
boards, to dance routine videos for learning alphabets, to carefully curating personalised
question papers, they've broken new paths this year. This was also archived in a creative
element bank that we created!
- SAI BABA GURUKULAM & KALAISELVI KARUNALAYA, CHENNAI
39. IN THIS
IN THIS
IN THIS TOGETHER
TOGETHER
TOGETHER
CELEBRATING AN INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
40. TOGETHER
TOGETHER
TOGETHER
WE GROW STRONGER
WE GROW STRONGER
WE GROW STRONGER
LEADSTARTER - 310 LEADERS
A city-level leadership meet where leaders get oriented about city vision, leadership journey, curriculum, recruitment and
community building. This was an 8-hour training session.
LEADX - 310 LEADERS
A 2-day online national leadership meet where leaders were exposed to different tools on building relationships, transforming
teams, creating success maps and driving results.
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - 1200 VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers at a Learning Center met online for the first time. They were taken through the U&I story, Child Protection Policy
and the curriculum.
VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING EVENTS
41. TRAINING
ONLINE TRAINING - LEADERS 333, VOLUNTEERS 1485
A customized online training platform with 5 training videos for leaders and 8 training videos for volunteers.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - 310 LEADERS
To equip leaders to take their performance to the next level as they gear up for the rest of the academic year. They're
equipped with both leadership tools and implementation modules through the training. This was conducted for 8 hours
across two days.
EMERGING LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - 330 (APPROX)
This training event was designed to give potential leaders a clear understanding on the responsibilities and growth that
comes with leadership.
CLIP (CHAPTER LEADERS’ INDUCTION PROGRAM) - 30 LEADERS
This induction was designed to train and vision cast with chapter leaders on the upcoming academic year and how they could
achieve their vision in their respective cities.
KICKSTARTER - 1200 VOLUNTEERS
An 8-hour city-level training where volunteers were taken through child development, curriculum planning, teaching
techniques, community and culture.
42. VOLUNTEERING =
VOLUNTEERING =
VOLUNTEERING =
DOING LIFE TOGETHER
DOING LIFE TOGETHER
DOING LIFE TOGETHER
TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY AT OUR TRAINING EVENTS.
43. "The planning, the implementation
was bang on. The way 300 people
were engaged throughout the
session is commendable."
- Tabitha Arokiamary
"Personally, I can't think of any way
this could've been conducted better.
This was the absolute best."
- Arvindh E. Prasad
"U&I are utterly inspiring,
empowering and fabuloussss"
- Adib Sohail
TESTIMONIALS
"You guys just killed it! No better
way an online meeting can be
conducted!"
- Srirangasayee Devanathan
"Nothing better than 'Wow the Next'.
Got to meet new people and felt I
was a part of a community I could
ever imagine!! "
- Swarnalakshmi G B
"You guys left us wanting for more.
It was the perfect way to end my
stressful week. Thank you."
- Fahmida Yeasmin
50. CARE
CARE
CARE
U&I
MISSION
To invest in the special needs of at-risk men, women and children who have less access to a better living in our community, and to
transform their lives by giving them the care they need, along with reduced dependency.
WHY
Our world prefers to push abandoned and special-needs individuals into the background because they look too different, they behave too
different, they are too loud or too quiet, because they are simply not like “us.”
WHO
Abandoned special-needs and at-risk men, women and children who live in state-run institutions.
HOW
U&I has employed educators, caregivers, cleaners, nurses, physiotherapists for the differently-abled and at-risk individuals, to ensure that
the residents in the four government-run homes have access to proper hygiene and nutrition along with educational and vocational
training, in partnership with the government.
51. CARE SERVICES IN
CARE SERVICES IN
CARE SERVICES IN
STATE-RUN HOMES
STATE-RUN HOMES
STATE-RUN HOMES
84 DIFFERENTLY
ABLED MEN
Provide
vocational training,
special education,
hygiene, healthcare
& social interaction.
60 DESTITUTE,
SPECIAL NEEDS BOYS
AGES 8-21
Provide special needs classes,
healthcare and hygiene and
physiotherapy.
44 ABANDONED
CHILDREN AGES 0-6
Preschool assistance
to bring a structured
routine throughout
the day. Care for babies and
toddlers.
98 SPECIAL NEEDS,
ABANDONED WOMEN
Improve social & vocational skills,
and provide life skills training for
them.
Social
Services
Complex
for Men
Children’s
Home for
Special
Needs
(CHMR)
Shishu
Mandir
Home for
Special
Needs
Women
52. Covid protocol training conducted for Government and U&I staff
Strict entry protocol - sanitising hands at the entrance
Temperature check mandatory while entering the care homes
Temperature log-in book to be regularly filled
Health screening form was distributed to staff post lockdown
Usage of masks and gloves at all times
Staggered entry of outsiders
Fumigation of the homes
Rations were provided to all the staff during Covid peak
Staff transportation was provided
Social distancing maintained in classrooms
Virtual classes conducted wherever possible
Permission letters were issued to work during lockdown
All the staff and students are vaccinated with two doses
Covid-19 impacted social care institutions disproportionately across the country. The residents faced heightened risk of contracting the
disease due to underlying health conditions, difficulty in enforcing social distancing among residents and staff. U&I’s timely Covid relief
measures ensured the care homes became a safe place to live. This was done by upscaling the hygiene protocols and also providing
digital infrastructure to the residents.
U&I’S COVID-19 RELIEF
U&I’S COVID-19 RELIEF
U&I’S COVID-19 RELIEF
AT ALL CARE HOMES
AT ALL CARE HOMES
AT ALL CARE HOMES
53. HEALTH AND HYGIENE
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
PROJECT AT SSC + MRW
PROJECT AT SSC + MRW
PROJECT AT SSC + MRW
Gloves, masks, face shields, santizers, disinfectants, hand-wash were made available
64 Fumigation drives at SSC+MRW
Provision of ration to Government staff and U&I staff that worked in the homes during lockdown
Safe waste disposal - The residents of the homes have been trained to follow safe disposal protocol. All medical waste and
Covid related used resources were disposed off in a dump-yard where the residents and others would not come in contact with.
54. HOME FOR
HOME FOR
HOME FOR
SPECIAL NEEDS WOMEN
SPECIAL NEEDS WOMEN
SPECIAL NEEDS WOMEN
RESIDENTS: 98 WOMEN
ATTENDING CLASSES: 30 WOMEN
Managers and teachers - 6.5 hours/day
Assistant carers and nurse - 7 hours/day
U&I STAFF: 6
HOURS PUT IN:
55. THE
THE
THE IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
COGNITIVE SKILLS
Improved memory through learning animals and food names.
Improved problem-solving skills through picture puzzles,
crosswords etc. The residents learned to identify colours and
patterns for vocational training.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Throw-ball helped in improving hand-eye coordination. Zumba,
simple stretching exercise and yoga improved motor skills &
movement patterns. The residents learned to do daily tasks like
eating and dressing
HEALTH & HYGIENE
Improved menstrual hygiene and learned how to make sanitary
napkins. Learned personal hygiene and self grooming
independently. There were reduced skin diseases at the home.
EMOTIONAL, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
Recognise emotions in others through educational videos and
role play. Express emotions through action songs and dance.
Communicate their needs by learning Kannada.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Running race games improved social interactions and
encouraged physical activity. Meditation improved social
behaviour, interaction and reduced stress.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Origami and painting sessions helped enhance creativity.
Stitching, candle-making and embroidery built confidence, self-
sufficiency and nurtured skill set.
56. SOCIAL SERVICE COMPLEX
SOCIAL SERVICE COMPLEX
SOCIAL SERVICE COMPLEX
FOR MEN
FOR MEN
FOR MEN
RESIDENTS: 84 MEN
ATTENDING CLASSES: 55 MEN
Managers and teachers - 6.5 hours/day
Assistant carers and nurse - 4-5 hours/ day
U&I STAFF: 3
HOURS PUT IN:
57. THE
THE
THE IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPROVING COGNITION
Through colour identification and arrangement in shapes
STRENGTHENING CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS
Designing small mats
IMPROVED COORDINATION AND
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Decorative paper crafts
SELF SUFFICIENCY THROUGH TAILORING
Machine and hand stitching
IMPROVED MENTAL WELLBEING
Meditation sessions served as a relaxation tool
HELPING PROFOUNDLY CHALLENGED
RESIDENTS
Origami and painting sessions helped enhance creativity. Stitching,
candle-making and embroidery built confidence, independence
and nurtured skill set.
58. SHISHU MANDIR
SHISHU MANDIR
SHISHU MANDIR
Infant and toddlers: 12
Kids with special needs: 6
RESIDENTS: 44 CHILDREN
ATTENDING CLASSES: 26 CHILDREN
Managers and teachers - 6.5 hours/day
Assistant carers and nurse - 4-5 hours/day
U&I STAFF: 6
HOURS PUT IN:
59. THE
THE
THE IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
AGE 5 TO 6
Tutoring classes for school kids for Maths, Science, English and
Kannada.
AGE 3 TO 4
Movement patterns, physical activities like obstacle race,
basketball, balancing books etc.
AGE 4 TO 5
Daily classes on alphabets, numbers and colours.
Foundational teaching through fun games and sessions.
MR KIDS
Physiotherapists train in improving their movement. We
conducted brain stimulation activities through musical toys and
touch books.
ADL (ACTIVITIES ON DAILY LIVING)
ADL oral session through song tutorials on brushing.
Practical sessions for 10 older kids.
LICE CARE
During ADL practical sessions we do lice cleaning for the rest of
the kids.
TODDLERS
Focus on physical domain through activities like free play,
colouring, walk on the shapes and lines, blocks and action songs.
INFANTS
Feeding - Caretakers take turns and feed kids while tracking their
health.
Grooming - Caretakers ensure that hygiene is followed properly.
Engagement Activities - Sessions through face expression to see if
the kids are able to imitate or repeat, fetch the toy, making
sounds etc.
60. CHILDREN’S HOME
CHILDREN’S HOME
CHILDREN’S HOME
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
RESIDENTS: 60 BOYS
ATTENDING CLASSES: 51 BOYS
Managers and teachers - 6.5 hours per day
Assistant carers and nurse - 7.5 hours/ day
U&I STAFF: 6
HOURS PUT IN:
61. THE
THE
THE IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
PHYSICAL
Throwing and catching the ball - To Improve their hand & eye
coordination, enhance finger movement.
Yoga and meditation - To increase flexibility, concentration,
breath control, energy and vitality.
Zumba dance workout - To enhance fine and gross motor skills,
body balance and coordination.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Brushing training session - Decreased dependence on others,
improved finger movements.
Bathing training session - Maintained good hygiene practices and
reduced dependence on others.
Hand Wash - A practice before and after meals improves health
consciousness.
COGNITIVE
SPEED AND LANGUAGE
Storytelling - Helped kids improve vocabulary through story
building.
Memory game - Improved their thinking skills, enhanced memory
power.
Communication- Improved vocabulary and sentence making
skills.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL
Emotional emojis - Different emojis helped kids identify their own
emotions.
Social skills - Greeting others helped in maintaining good
relationship among kids.
Musical chair - Helped kids build healthy competition, good
relationships and support.
Problem Solving - Improved their thinking and problem-solving skills through puzzles, pictures, flashcards, etc. Improved their ability to
differentiate animals, colours, vegetables, fruits through flashcards.
Mat Making - Helped them gain skill, improve finger movements and hand & eye coordination.
Stitching - Cloth bag making helped them gain hand-eye coordination and leg movement.
Candle making - Improved coordination and cooperation among the kids, enhanced hand-eye coordination.
62. PLAYGROUND PROJECT
PLAYGROUND PROJECT
PLAYGROUND PROJECT
Gross motor development of Children.
Common and safe space to engage and
interact for residents of all 4 homes.
A place to exercise with gym
equipment installed (adhering to age
requirements of beneficiaries).
Useful space for physiotherapy.
Relaxing outdoor space for all residents
of all homes.
65. MISSION
IGNITE aims that in the next decade, U&I will build a volunteering ecosystem that will empower a million active citizens to take action
through a web-based platform, bridging the gap between volunteers and NGO’s.
WHY
In 2020, India stood at 124th of 144+ countries in the CAF World Giving Index (a rounded measure of giving behaviour in a country). Our
civic participation has been very low in terms of volunteering hours. One reason is, while we have thousands of NGO’s, the sector is not
organised and lacks the technical expertise to involve the youth in the country who want to make a difference.
WHO
The platform establishes a wide array of volunteering opportunities for working professionals and youth through social service.
HOW
Making volunteering simple and meaningful, Ignite has leveraged technology to serve a community of change-makers, through a web-
based platform.
IGNITE
IGNITE
IGNITE
U&I
66. IGNITE
IGNITE
IGNITE COVID-19RELIEF
COVID-19RELIEF
COVID-19RELIEF
PHYSICAL
The pandemic hit the migrant workers the hardest, as most of
them were stranded in a different city, without jobs or essential
commodities, and were unable to reach or even call their
family/hometown. They were left with no job, no pay, and no
supplies. The Chief Labour Commissioner’s Office counted over 26
lakh migrant workers stranded across the country, of which 10%
were in relief camps or shelter homes, while 43% were in
workplaces, and 46% were in other clusters.
These workers would assemble at police stations every day, as
early as 4am in the morning. Later, they were placed in different
camps and had to wait, till they were assigned trains to go back to
their hometowns. We worked with the administrative body of
Bangalore and delivered ready to eat food to those who we could
serve.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
These were different marginalized communities – daily wage
workers, migrant workers, transgender community etc. Our
experience of working with communities enabled us to predict
that this would happen and enabled us to be prepared to help.
We worked with the GCC (Greater Chennai Corporation), and
BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), and several local
communities in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and more by identifying
needs. With their help, we were able to reach more than 4,000
individuals.
59
59
59
CENTRES/COMMUNITIES WERE PROVIDED WITH FOOD SUPPLIES
15
15
15CITIES WHERE
IN 41,209
41,209
41,209LIVES WERE IMPACTED
27,735(approx)
27,735(approx)
27,735(approx)
MEALS WERE PROVIDED
67. IGNITE
IGNITE
IGNITE VIRTUALENGAGEMENT
VIRTUALENGAGEMENT
VIRTUALENGAGEMENT
EVENTS RANGED FROM STUDENT ENGAGEMENTS TO STUDENT TOOLBOX AND DIYS
SHORT TERM ENGAGEMENT
We engaged volunteers in short-term (1-3 hours) engagements towards causes like
recycling things at home (like newspapers, plastic bottles, tshirts etc.) and developing
various aids to improve the skills and communication of children in our centers.
The activities included were - infographics, public speaking, planter making, newspaper
bags + pens, webinars, bird feeders and a lot more.
41 ENGAGEMENTS IN 2020-21
68. MEDIUM TERM ENGAGEMENT
DIVERSITY OF PARTICIPATION
We have engaged some of best corporate professionals from across India, and globally covering
Australia, Middle-East, South East Asia, UK and America to come, interact and connect with our
students through virtual engagement. This has helped our students to glimpse into the
corporate world, and better understand their future career journey.
For the volunteers who wanted to do more, give more, we conducted medium term
(20 hour) engagements, wherein an activity was converted into a project mode.
MASKATHON -
Maskathon kits were sent to 100 volunteers from Thomson Reuters, each containing
material for 10 masks. This was a 20-hour engagement, where the ignite team first taught
the volunteers how to make 1 mask, and the Volunteers had to go back and make 9 more.
INFOGRAPHICS+CELEBRITY BIO -
An Infographics+celebrity bios engagement which was conducted at one of our learning
centers with 13 children and 25 volunteers from Thomson Reutuers, helped the kids to gain
knowledge on a few interesting topics followed by a public speaking activity.
69. STORIES
STORIES
STORIES OFIMPACT
OFIMPACT
OFIMPACT
During a paper bag event with CISCO, one of our volunteer's daughter was also
participating. She got so inspired and touched with the activity that she went
back, took out tons of newspapers and made more than a 100 bags and
distributed it to the local vendors and stores nearby. Such dedication and
inspiration is what keeps us moving and wanting to become better at what we do.
Through Maskathon, our volunteers could drive impact right from home. They were
dedicated in completing this project and were brave enough to step out and
distribute this to the community that needed it the most. About 700 masks were
made during the pandemic in the year 2020 and distributed across various parts in
India.
70. It was a great initiative and through this we can help the
ones who do not have access to the masks.
- Heena Saini, TR
TESTIMONIALS
There was a sense of accomplishment at the end of the
activity and it feels good to contribute to the community
as well.
- Srishti Paul , INTEL
Wonderful activity to put our artistic brains at work.
- Sagar Gangula, CISCO
Interacting with new faces and people from different team
including China team was amazing.
- Kalyan Vaddimukkala, CISCO
Knowing that the information would be disseminated to kids
that need to be exposed to more information is fulfilling.
- JUN HUI NG, CISCO
Coming together and doing the same activity for a
noble cause, and all this happening during the
pandemic is incredible.
- Kumar A, CISCO
The overall flow and thoughtfully planned fun activities
in between the main event helped us rejuvenate our
energies.
- Shalini Diwakar, INTEL
I love the fact that even though it was virtual, it felt like we
were in one place.
- Amritha T N, CISCO
I strongly believe, my time and effort was well spent on a
meaningful activity.
- Venkata Hareesh Peddiraju, INTEL
The enthusiasm brought by the U&I Team on a Friday
afternoon, when things seem gloomy, really brightened
my day. :) Grateful for the time I could spend.
- Mukund WN, CISCO
71. TOGETHER
TOGETHER
TOGETHER
WE CREATE
WE CREATE
WE CREATE
A GREAT WORK
A GREAT WORK
A GREAT WORK
CULTURE
CULTURE
CULTURE
U&I IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK CERTIFIED™ ORGANIZATION. GREAT PLACE TO WORK® CERTIFICATION IS RECOGNIZED
WORLD OVER BY EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS ALIKE AND IS CONSIDERED THE ‘GOLD STANDARD’ IN IDENTIFYING AND
RECOGNIZING GREAT WORKPLACE CULTURES.
U&I HAS CREATED A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FOR ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES BY EXCELLING ON THE 5 DIMENSIONS OF
HIGH-TRUST, HIGH-PERFORMANCE CULTURE™ – CREDIBILITY, RESPECT, FAIRNESS, PRIDE AND CAMARADERIE.
73. “U&I as an organization strives to create a healthy and conducive work environment along with a great culture.
Employee's well-being is of utmost priority here. There is room for recognition and room to grow.”
- Shikha, Senior Manager, Fundraising
“My personal space is valued and at the same time, my peers push me to step out of my comfort zone and
challenge myself. U&I is a place with a perfect balance of work and play which makes it an environment
conducive for productivity.” - Rehan, U&I Teach Fellow
“U&I to me is home. Every morning when I step into the office, it feels so good to be back. It's filled with fun, love,
care and positivity. This is one place which has let me explore all my skills and take up so many challenges that
has helped me understand what I'm good at.” - Haritha, Senior Manager, Teach Program
“You have a lot of autonomy with your projects, and the culture here is to encourage employees in learning
from their mistakes rather than condoning them. You have access to the founders and a bunch of mentors in
the org. And of course, leaves are flexible. Since my job is aligned to a greater cause, I always feel satisfied in
what I do.” - Akshay Kannan, Teach Manager
