Connecting Youths and Children to Nature
The SCF team actively carried out programs in seven districts of Western Maharashtra, especially in rural areas. By the end of March 2023, a total of 83 programs were conducted. These programs covered a wide range of themes, with 15 slide show themes proposed and 12 ultimately selected by schools and colleges. In total, 4,635 students and 183 teachers participated in these programs, with 1,142 coming from socially backward classes. Of the students, 2,153 were boys, 1,817 were girls, and the gender of 665 students could not be ascertained due to some programs being conducted online. A total of 77 schools and 6 colleges participated in the program, with a combined participation of 4,147 school students and 488 college youths. The SCF team also conducted evaluations to measure students’ understanding of the material presented. Out of the 83 programs conducted, 57 were evaluated. These evaluations were crucial for understanding the effectiveness of the programs and identifying areas for improvement. Overall, these programs have had a significant impact on a large number of students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.