STORY PREVIEW

2020

A Call for Happiness

Sunbeam Lahartara

Uttar Pradesh

MENTOR

Vartika Puri

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

Since the pandemic hit us there are certain problems that are leading to MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES and more than ever, we need to be for one another. *Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones *financial situation or job, or loss of support services one rely on. *Changes in sleep or eating patterns *Difficulty sleeping or concentrating All of this leads to Mental health challenges.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

In today’s time where nobody has time to stand and stare..everything is virtual and we are separated through barrier which is as small as a virus.. what we need the most is an ear..To Listen! To hear out our emotion.. and just to simply be happy.. As the pandemic hit us, and we were locked down in our houses, bound to follow the rules..there were some emotions unexpressed..lots of word unheard..There is so much we wish to talk but have no one to share with.So we chose to be the listener ..

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

Coronavirus has hit families particularly hard. Suddenly, everyone is on top of each other. Overstretched parents have to work, teach their children and also comfort and reassure their kids, despite their own existential concerns. Children are suddenly locked inside and are bound to follow rules.The primary concern is nobody to talk to..Nobody to share..

Step 2 IMAGINE

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

*Taking Up online sessions. *Free Counselling for all. *Making Phone Calls and Asking them. *Survey through forms. *Video Calls on regular basis *Suggesting various fun activities to keep them busy and occupied.

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

We discussed the solution with student leaders, teachers, administrators and school councillor..and the idea of "Sunshine Call" struck us. We started connecting with the parents and the students of our school through video calls.. this not just gave them another reason to speak out.. but they also felt closer and shared their emotions.. we also suggested various activities and organised events for them ensuring that they feel that they are not alone in this time.. Everytime a student or a teacher or administrator connected to a parent or a child, There were reports that were shared by the ones calling in the form of google form with our school counsellor and if there was something that caught his attention he gave away free counselling session over the call..

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

We started connecting with the parents and the students of our school through video calls which we named as "Sunshine Calls". Teachers, Adminitrators, student leaders, connected with 2 parents and children each day, just to let them know that we are here to listen to anything they have got to say. This not just gave them another reason to speak out.. but they also felt closer and shared their emotions.. we also suggested various activities and organised events for them ensuring that they feel that they are not alone in this time.. Every Sunshine call was followed by a report that we shared with our school counsellor giving a brief about the call through google form, and if there was something that caught his attention he gave away free counselling session over the call.. We also organised well-being sessions on the online platform and engaged parents and kids in some exciting activities like Virtual Parties etc.

What was the result or impact of your project?

Through this endeavour we have touched the minds of around 1800 students and parents making them feel that we are in this together.. and this pandemic has given us to create an extended family.. together apart!

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

1800

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

"Even the school's Principal give us Video calls and we are are so connected, she even met my entire family.My grandparents were so happy meeting my principal online.They almost had tears" Says Kushagra of Grade XII "After Sharing how my day was like and getting some amazing suggestions from my teacher over Sunshine Call, i feel so relaxed, I was going through a tough time.Members in my family were tested COVID positive and i was so scared. A Sunshine Call gave me the strength to fight the battle.Our school counsellor gave away regular sessions to me online. Everyone in my family is fine now and i am happy i have an extended family to share my feelings with" says Aryan Tiwari of Grade XI.

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

There were certain parents hesitant of doing video calls.We started with normal phone calls with them. Also to build the connect, we talked about basic things and also the similarities between our situations.That ways, they were confortable talking.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

Which global goals does your story align with?

Good health and well being

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

Since the pandemic hit us there are certain problems that are leading to MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES and more than ever, we need to be there for one another. *Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones *financial situation or job, or loss of support services one rely on. *Changes in sleep or eating patterns *Difficulty sleeping or concentrating All of this leads to Mental health challenges..which most of us are neglecting.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

We shared our project through various social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and were very much appreciated for our efforts.Something as small as a phone call whivh we call "Sunshine Calls" became a "Call of Happiness" in no time.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

Through this endeavour we have touched the minds of around 1800 students and parents making them feel that we are in this together.. and this pandemic has given us an opportunity to create an extended family.. together apart! We plan on staying in touch and reaching out as many people as possible and making sure that they know that we are there for them..

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