In Dream India Camp my self worth has totally increased. They have encouraged me to be myself and be bold. I suggest this camp should be done for every child.
~ Manojkumar, Sevalaya
Oasis Dream India Camp, a 7 day residential character building program, was warmly welcomed with a pilot Dream India Camp in the NGO as well as Government sector in the state of Tamil Nadu in 2024.
22-28th April 2024 marked thefirst Dream India Camp with Oasis PIF partner, Sevalaya NGO, Kasuva with 29 participants.
Followed by a Boys Special Dream India Camp, in collaboration with State Education Department of Chennai, organised from 14-21st July 2024 with 32 participants.
Both the camps were organised & facilitated by Riya Shah (Oasis Young Team member) with local faculties participating from schools & organisations of Chennai.
April 2024 Camp at Sevalaya NGO, Kasuva, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude...
to Mr. V. Muralidharanji (Founder, Sevalaya NGO) for his kind encouragement & continuous support for introducing the camp to Sevalaya students.
Special thanks also to Ms. Vijayaji (Head - Education, Sevalaya School) for welcoming the camp & Oasis team with the warmest smile and assisting in smooth operation of the entire camp.
July 2024 Camp at Natesan Institute of Cooperative Management, Chennai
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude...
to Mr. S Mars, Chief Educational Officer, State Education Department, Chennai, Tamil Nadu for his openness & cooperation in introducing this pilot residential program to Government Schools of Chennai.
to all participating Head Masters - Ms. S. Anandeeswari (GHSS Kannaginagar), Mr. Kannan P. (GHSS Puzuthivakkam), Ms. S. Premalatha (GHSS Nanganallur) and Mr. Elangovan V (Sir MCTM Boys Hr. Secondary School) for their belief & effort in selecting & coordinating student participation in the program.
The Oasis Dream India Camp was a turning point in my life....
Before the camp, I was just living a normal life, but the experience brought a spark that inspired me to take action. The camp has given me hope and the determination to go for my dreams, even though it's hard.
My dream is to help the youth of India become a generation filled with positivity, responsibility, motivation, honesty, and all the other values that will lead us to true happiness and peace. I know it won’t be easy, but I am committed to trying my best to bring about change, starting with myself.
~ Harini, Sevalaya
This has been the only platform in my life so far that has changed me.
It has made me understand that youngsters are the only ones to change & develop India and motivated us to take responsibility as youths.
~ Sivakumar, Sevalaya
I enjoyed agricultural field work. I have never done this before. When I practiced it sincerely I developed a sense of responsibility and leadership. I want to make my Dream India.
~ Arjun, Sevalaya
In Dream India Camp, I learned how to be the change for society on my own and how I can achieve it by cooperating with everyone.
~ M. Ajay, GBHSS Nanganallur
After this camp I have become confident. Even if I think I may be wrong, I answer all questions boldly
~ Rohini, Sevalaya
In seven days, I survived without my mobile. I learned to do all the work on my own, wash my own dresses, wake up on time, and use my time correctly. I made a lot of friends, managed my health, and survived with discipline. This was a very new and refreshing experience for me.
~ Pravin Kumar, GHSS Puzhuthivakkam
I have learnt to be positive in every situation and motivate others in their hardest times. I learnt that we should always be friendly and kind towards everyone. I have started to love myself a lot.
~ Harini, Sevalaya
My favorite session was Parliament because, even though I was the youngest participant of the camp, I was given equal justice as well as leadership responsibilities.
~ Manigandan, GHSS Kannagi Nagar
The adventure day experience of doing a street play against mobile addiction in Anna Nagar Tower was an extraordinary experience. On the first three days, I was fighting the most in the community to get our phones. I used to put cases in parliament every day. But on the seventh day, I feel very proud that I was making people aware of mobile addiction. It was a wonderful learning experience for me.
~ Bharat, GBHSS Nanganallur
For the first two days, I was convinced I couldn't stay without talking to my parents even for a single minute. I was ready to leave the camp if I didn't get my phone to talk to them. But after seven days, I feel very powerful because I realized I can live without talking to or seeing my parents. I feel like an independent boy.
~ S. Sabarivasan, GBHSS Nanganallur
My confidence level totally shot up from low to high. Before this camp I always prepared before talking to anyone. Now I feel confident to talk to others without being worried
~ Sai Sriram, Sevalaya
This program was excellent and a very important and useful training for both students and teachers. I have never come across such a camp or organization in my life. This camp really teaches students to stand up for what is right, to take part, speak up, and do everything truthfully.
It is an essential camp for all students in Tamil Nadu to become and take good leadership roles in the country in the future.
~ R. Gnanambal, Faculty, GHSS Puzhuthivakkam
I enjoyed the children’s parliament session the most. The way students analyzed problems, their internal discussions after the parliament, and how they came up with solutions by themselves was very surprising for me. The way it is conducted with no teacher involvement and the learning it gives children is definitely a highlight of the camp.
~ Jagadeeshan K., Faculty, Bhumi Fellowship
The Dream India camp was a wonderful experience, especially with Riya Akka. The way she gave love and freedom to the children elevated the camp to a whole different level. The process of parliament was very consistent, and I could see the difference in students—the way they took leadership. It was really nice to see children stepping up and becoming self-disciplined.
~ M. Benjamin Felix, Faculty, GBHSS Nanganallur
I am an English teacher. I have been teaching and volunteering, but coming to Dream India Camp has been a new experience for me. I've made it a point to engrain in my heart and mind that ‘I am not just a teacher, but a friend to the students.’ Staying with the students, I not only enjoyed the experience but also gained insight into their feelings and family conditions.
~ Jyothi B., Faculty, Sevalaya
The idea of everyone wearing the same clothes—same size, same color—sounds absurd, yet that’s often how we treat education, expecting every child to fit the same mold. But each child is unique, and this truth has become even clearer to me through this journey of facilitating Dream India Camps.
To every educator, parent, or teacher, I invite you to experience this camp. An opportunity to witness the impact of love, freedom, and responsibility on a child’s life.
~ Riya Shah ( Chief Coordinator, Oasis Dream India Camp/ Oasis Young Team Member)
Akka was always showing a smiling face irrespective of what we did. She didn't scold us. That’s what I liked here the most! ~ Dharun, Sir MCTM Boys Hr. Secondary School
You gave me the confidence that makes me like myself. ~ Aparna, Sevalaya
I performed a drama on stage for the first time. Akka encouraged me and gave me a lot of confidence. This will become a lifelong memory for me. ~ R. Gokul, GHSS Kannagi Nagar
I am going to miss my entire DIC Family. I feel so sad as we got deeply connected in just 7 days. ~ Harini, Sevalaya
The main thing I learned from this camp was good leadership, how to be a true friend, and how to always make the right decision. ~ S. Joseph, GHSS Puzhuthivakkam
Editor-In-Chief: Riya Shah, Aatmaja Soni
Editorial Team: Sanjiv Shah, Sheeba Nair
IT Team: Alkesh Raval, Mehul Panchal
Alive Newsletter/ Magazine1 September 2024
Year 17, Issue 19
You receive this newsletter because you may be one of the participants of Oasis activities or may have been referred by our core friends or you may have given your email address to us. Please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and co-workers. You have permission to use this content in your newsletter or email system as long as you do not edit the content and you leave the links and this resource box intact. We will be happy to receive a copy of the same. If you wish that this newsletter is dispatched directly to your contacts, you may recommend the same to us along with their key details. Incase if you do not want this Newsletter, you may unsubscribe it.
