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This month, we focused on reinforcing life skills, strengthening school partnerships, and supporting students’ emotional well-being through follow-up camps, teacher capacity-building programmes, school outreach, and individual counselling. The ORC (Our Responsibility to Children) initiative continued its mission of nurturing confident, resilient, and socially responsible young people by equipping both students and educators with practical tools to address academic, emotional, and behavioural challenges.
During the month, five One-Day Follow-up Camps were conducted at GHS, Kodathur; TVT GHS, Ariyankuppam; PDGHS, Pethuchettipet; ASNGHS, Mudaliarpet; and GHSS, Karayambuthur, benefiting 159 high school students, including 96 boys and 63 girls. Designed as an extension of the SMART-40 programme, these camps revisited key life skill concepts while introducing students to practical strategies for navigating everyday challenges. Sessions covered self-awareness, self-love, equality, time management, teamwork, leadership, public speaking, critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, academic motivation, and the importance of education. Students actively participated in discussions, confidently recalled concepts from previous camps, and sought clarification on real-life situations, reflecting their growing confidence and deeper understanding of life skills.
Recognising the vital role teachers play in children’s development, the ORC team also conducted IKMSS (Integrated Knowledge and Mental Strength Support) Training for 50 teachers (10 male and 40 female) from six government schools. The workshops focused on understanding the bio-psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents, introducing the IKMSS assessment cards, and familiarising teachers with the ORC intervention process. Teachers were trained to identify students who would benefit from the SMART-40 programme and to provide timely guidance and support within the school environment. The sessions received highly positive feedback, with teachers appreciating the practical approaches to managing student behaviour and fostering positive behavioural change. Many expressed that such initiatives are essential in guiding today’s youth towards responsible decision-making and healthy personal development.
To strengthen collaboration with schools and ensure effective programme planning, the ORC team carried out school visits across multiple partner institutions, meeting with headmasters and school administrators to review progress, identify student needs, and schedule upcoming life skill camps and awareness programmes. These visits helped reinforce partnerships and ensured that future interventions remain responsive to the evolving needs of students.
The programme also continued its commitment to personalised support through individual counselling, where eight students (four boys and four girls) received one-on-one guidance. These confidential counselling sessions provided students with a safe space to discuss personal, emotional, academic, and social concerns while receiving encouragement and practical coping strategies. Through early intervention and continuous support, ORC continues to foster emotionally healthy learning environments where every child has the opportunity to grow with confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.
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