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A month of active engagement for the Our Responsibility to Children (ORC) team, with a wide range of programmes supporting the well-being, mental health, and personal development of children, adolescents, and educators across schools in Puducherry.
The ORC team carried out regular visits to schools throughout the month to coordinate upcoming programmes, including One-Day Follow-Up Camps, IKMSS training, counselling sessions, and other school-based activities. Meetings with Heads of Schools, teachers, and nodal staff helped ensure that programmes were planned according to the needs of each school. The team also collected IKMSS cards, obtained permissions, gathered feedback, and documented programme outcomes through feedback videos.
During July, 73 teachers participated in IKMSS training programmes conducted across six schools. The sessions focused on helping teachers understand and effectively use IKMSS, strengthening their ability to support students through the programme. By working closely with teachers, ORC continues to build a stronger support system within schools.
Three One-Day Follow-Up Camps were conducted during the month at IAGHSS Muthirapalayam, MAGHSS Embalam, and PKGBHSS Muthialpet, engaging 98 students. These camps provided students with continued opportunities to participate in activities, reflect on their learning, and remain connected with the ORC programmes beyond the initial interventions.
On 17 July, the ORC team conducted “Better Together,” a Positive Mental Health Programme for 72 first-year B.Sc. and GNM students at East Coast Institute of Medical Science, Moolakulam. The session explored the importance of healthy relationships, respectful communication, empathy, and positive behaviour.
Interactive activities such as Paper Chain Making, Role Play, Sorry & Thanks Tree, and Empathy Cards encouraged students to reflect on their relationships and communication styles. Rather than approaching mental health only through discussion, the activities created a space for students to express themselves, work together, and understand the importance of empathy and mutual respect.
The ORC team’s outreach activities during the final week of July addressed a range of health and well-being topics. At GHSS Nonankuppam, a session on Menstrual Hygiene and Nutrition engaged 37 girls, while Healthy Living was explored with 80 boys. A Behavioural Modification programme at PKGBHSS Muthialpet engaged another 39 boys.
A Mental Health Awareness Programme, conducted in collaboration with mental health professionals from Government Hospital, Puducherry, addressed important concerns including depression, anxiety, stress and examination pressure, substance use, mobile and social media addiction, specific learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, and available mental health services. The ORC team also conducted a session on self-hygiene, reinforcing the importance of everyday practices for physical and emotional well-being.
A three-day SMART-40 Camp was conducted at PKGBHSS Muthialpet from 29 to 31 July, with 21 boys participating. The camp provided a structured environment for students to engage in learning activities, participate collectively, and develop through hands-on experiences.
Alongside these programmes, the ORC team participated in the Aurovanam Science Lab and Dormitory inauguration, a School Management Committee meeting at Kasthurba GGGHSS, Bahour, and the Wonders of Nature Programme at Matriniketan. These engagements further strengthened collaboration with schools and the wider educational community.
Through its continued school visits, teacher engagement, student programmes, and health and mental well-being initiatives, the ORC team is working towards creating school environments where children feel supported, heard, informed, and empowered to make healthier choices.
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