A students’ group at XLRI made use of the lockdown by imparting virtual English lessons to children of SOS Youth Homes in distant Raipur and the results were very fulfilling.

The group, SIGMA-oikos Jamshedpur, conducted the programme, titled Basic English Learning Program-(BELP), in virtual mode over four months from August and concluded it successfully on Sunday.

Each session was organised by team SIGMA with the help of volunteers from XLRI, who took classes for the kids every weekend. "The sessions were aimed at imparting basic knowledge of English grammar and improving communication skills so that the children would become more comfortable with the language. This would help them in the future, " said a volunteer who was part of the initiative.

On the last day of the programme, easy-to-read storybooks and chocolates were sent to the students as a token of appreciation.

SIGMA continues to collaborate with SOS in its efforts to provide students with opportunities for a brighter future by preparing them for competitive examinations and admissions to renowned schools across India.

SOS Youth Homes was founded in Raipur in July 2005 and it started its activities in 2007.

Currently, there are around 130 children residing with 14 mothers and three aunts, who take care of and provide a loving family to the children under the SOS Family Based Care programme.

SIGMA-oikos Jamshedpur, which works under the guidance of XLRI Prof Raghu Ram Tata, chairman FACES (Fr Arrupe Centre for Ecology and Sustainability) and Prof Madhukar Shukla, has been providing academic support to underprivileged students every year.

"Educational courses in English and computer literacy are a regular activity conducted by the group, along with extra-curricular activities like dance, singing, and art and craft sessions. This year, the programme had to be scaled to a virtual format due to the pandemic, " said Prof Shukla.

The activities of the social group also include blood and stem cell donation camps, paper recycling, and food wastage prevention drives, spreading legal literacy amongst village inhabitants across Jamshedpur.

SIGMA also executes research projects in association with national NGOs such as Goonj and international NGOs such as OIKOS to help impoverished communities become self-sustaining through sales enablement services and supply chain optimisation.

SIGMA also ties up with corporate houses such as Tata Steel to hold case study competitions where the best minds from top tier B-schools across the country come together to solve national problems such as water conservation and renewable energy.