‘Every child is an artist’, keeping this maxim in mind, K Raheja Corp’s Teaching Tree CSR initiative in association with the NGO Teach for India organised the Teaching Tree Carnival. The one-day event at Mindspace’s Central Recreation Garden showcased handmade art creations by students from various schools in the city. Mindspace, which houses most of the IT biggies in the city, saw employees and the general public opening their hearts and patronizing the students, encouraging their artistic side.
Art was not the only flavor of the day at the Teaching Tree Carnival, as visitors and students enjoyed a host of workshops and games. With the carnival, students were given an opportunity to showcase their talent and display their works of art, within the Mindspace campus, attracting a large number of visitors. The employees of Mindspace and other visitors attended the carnival and interacted with the students who were seen having a wonderful experience vending their creations whilst sharing their personal stories, and inspirations.
From stationary products to homemade chocolates, trinkets to handmade bags and live arts to fun game stalls; a creative display was the highlight of the carnival. Students were seen participating in interactive workshops hosted by experts, where they learned the art of origami, how to craft wax products, DIY Pen stands and Bangle Dream Catchers. The visitors also joined the students and had an interactive learning session.
Interactive stalls consisted of various fun challenges including ‘Need for speed’; where participants had to complete a given task in a minute to win it. The LanTurn project brought out the photography skills of various students who displayed their shots. This project allowed them to explore their photographic creativity, and gave them an opportunity to share the thinking behind their clicks, with the visitors.
From disappearing acts by magicians to predicting the future by tarot-card readers, the Teaching Tree carnival was a mix of entertainment and frolic, for both children and adults. The students performed to the tunes of their favourite songs, with terrific dance acts. A surprise element of talented beat-boxers among these students, stole the show.
Speaking about his experience, Sheik Khaja Moinuddin, a student said, “My friends and I had fun at the carnival. We played games and performed to an audience who clapped and encouraged us throughout the act. I learned how to make a dream catcher which I want to give my mother. The photography stall was my favourite, I saw pictures clicked by my friends and they were really good. I am so happy that so many bhaiyas and didi’s came to see our work.”
Another child quipped, “We have never had so much fun ever. The magician’s tricks were too good and I had fun also doing my dance performance. People were loving our hand-made things and appreciating our work, which made me feel special.”
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Vishwas Dhumal – CSR Head, K Raheja Corp said, “Teaching Tree is an initiative that has always aimed to provide quality education to children from an impoverished background. The Teaching Tree Carnival is designed as a step towards our larger goal and was born out of an effort to showcase the skill and talent of our students, and move beyond just in-school learning whilst bringing about a holistic learning experience. The response we received here today was splendid, with professionals supporting the cause and interacting with the students.”
Since its inception in March 2016, the Teaching Tree initiative’s main aim has always been to provide quality education to children from low-income groups. The Teaching Tree initiative not only focuses on education, but the overall development of the students.
The Teaching Tree Carnival was truly an enriching experience for the visitors and the students, making it a joyful event for one and all.
About Teaching Tree
Teaching Tree is a Mindspace initiative in association with NGO Teach for India which aims to end education inequality, through a teacher training program. Its objective is to illuminate the lives of countless students from low-income schools. The idea being to make the education programs a more holistic one. They empower the teachers through sponsorship of the Teach for India – fellow’s (trained teachers) stipend, along with initiatives which can galvanize further support for the kids through the year.
About K Raheja Corp
K Raheja Corp is a success story spanning six decades and stands today as a leading developer of India, having pioneered the concepts of self-contained townships and commercial business districts in the country. Premeditating the changes in the industry, the Company is continually crafts state-of-the-art spaces to meet the ever-changing demands of the market. With business diversified across realty, hospitality and retail, K Raheja Corp has extensive acumen in all sectors of development. Today the Company offers multiple formats ranging from residential apartments to office spaces, and retail and hospitality to entertainment, creating self-contained luxurious neighbourhoods.
