Christel House Students Participate in Adobe Youth Voices Summit at Santa Clara in 2011
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Students Akshay Vijay and Hema Subramani have, along with art teacher Dhanaraj Keezhara, been invited to attend the Adobe Youth Voices Summit 2011 to be held at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA from August 2 to August 7, 2011. AYV is a signature philanthropy program of Adobe Foundation implemented in India by the American India Foundation Trust with a vision to introduce young minds to the world of digital media. Akshay is currently working on an Adobe Youth Voice project called “Who’s Going To Save Our Earth” which is a music video album. The message is on saving the earth from pollution. “The AYV summit 2011 will help me learn more about the media and how it functions across the globe. Until now I’ve been seeing how various thoughts only of my country are expressed. This summit will definitely help me learn how other people around the world express their ideas, beliefs, thoughts and any issue which they feel strongly about,” says Akshay.
Hema is currently working on a music video album, “The Sky is Mine” which has three songs composed by the Christel House school choir. The story is a dream where the “impossible” happens, the underlying theme being that everyone has potential and a right to dream and that the sky is the limit. “The media can reach people across the world, cities or villages in a very short time. It can also influence the thinking of the masses. I would like to use the media to help people think more scientifically and remove superstitions and fundamentalism,” says Hema.
Living a dream at Culver
For many, it remains a distant dream. For a few privileged, it’s an experience of a lifetime. Zakir Hussain and Angel Kumar of Christel House India, Bangalore have joined the ranks of the privileged in attending a program at the Culver Schools & Camps, Indiana reputed to be the strongest whole-person leadership camping program in the world. The program which Zakir and Angel have been attending from 2009 is held for six weeks in the year over a three year period.
The two students excel not just in academics but in several extra curricular activities like sports, music and art. At the Culver Schools & Camps Program, they interact with over 1350 young people between the ages 7-17 from around the world in an environment of fun to develop positive self-esteem through accomplishment and self discipline.
Zakir's father, who is a tailor by profession, considers this opportunity as an unexpected blessing from God. For a child from the narrow alleys of M.S. Nagar in Kamanahalli, Bangalore this is indeed a million dollar dream. "It was difficult for my family to believe that I have got an opportunity to visit the USA," said Zakir who has a Green Belt in taekwondo, a Korean martial art. Apart from various extensive academic activities, Zakir was initially looking forward to learn swimming and wrestling at the summer camp. "I aspire to become a software engineer one day," he says with a smile.
Angel Kumar is a proud 14-year-old girl dreaming to make it big in her life. "My parents were very nervous to send me to the USA. I convinced them because I know what it means to me," she said. She wishes to become an IAS officer in future and work for providing better education for underprivileged kids in slums of India.
Christel House Students Participate in Adobe Summit at Stanford in 2009
Supriya Venkatesh and Shiva Sagar Rudresh, two students of Christel House India, Bangalore along with their art teacher, Dhanaraj Keezhara, were chosen to participate at the first Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) Summit held in Stanford University, CA, USA from July 29th to August 2nd, 2009. AYV is a signature philanthropy program of Adobe Foundation implemented in India by the America India Foundation Trust with a vision to introduce young minds to the world of digital media. 67 students and 33 educators from across the globe converged in Palo Alto to exchange ideas and learn about new developments in digital media and production. As part of the selection process, participating students had to submit a project and fill in a nomination form. Supriya and Shiva Sagar were core members of the team that developed a short 5-minute film, We Are by Your Side. The film stars a boy from a very poor background who has nothing going for him but whose life becomes more meaningful when he joins Christel House. “Although it is fiction, the film is the story of the lives of many of us at Christel House,” said Supriya Venkatesh who is the first member in her community to go overseas. “The two issues of poverty and lack of education are closely connected and often form a vicious cycle.”
“Visiting Stanford and participating in the Adobe Global Summit was a dream come true. This achievement is a milestone in my life and I would like to thank my whole school for the support they have given me. The opportunity has given me power to think creatively and to look at the world in a better way,” said an emotional Shiva after his trip to Stanford.
At the Summit, the students got the opportunity to visit the Dreamworks Studio and understand the intricacies of making an animation movie. The students were thrilled to meet renowned Creative Director, David Nakabyashi, who was part of the Harry Potter creative team. Nakabyashi gave the students tips on how to create their own monster, leaving them with a glimpse into the exciting world of animation.
Christel House India Students Participate in a Summer Football Camp in Dubai
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Six young students of Christel House India were selected to participate in a summer football camp organized by the Transguard Elite Sporting Academy (TESA), Dubai in June, 2010. The six were chosen based on their skills demonstrated at an exhibition match played at Christel House India during a visit to Bangalore by Mr. Mike McGeever, Managing Director, and Mr. Mark Povey, Group Marketing Head, Transguard Group. Transguard Group is a part of the Emirates Group and has a major shareholding in TESA. TESA is a football and rugby academy and a centre of excellence providing academic and sporting scholarships for talented youngsters from around the world.
Students recounts their experience in Dubai
“Each and every minute of our trip was filled with excitement and curiosity right from the very take off as it was the first time we were travelling in an aeroplane.
The day we landed we didn’t have much to do. Next day we went to Repton School to begin our coaching by former England player, Carlton Palmer and professional football coach, Kirk Hilton. The training was entirely new and rigorous but we were soon able to catch up with the others. After the training we were taken for a desert safari which was really fantastic. On the third day we went to a Dolphinarium where for the first time we saw dolphins.
We would like to conclude by saying that we had great experience and learnt many things. It will remain as a memorable experience in our lives. We would like to thank the Transguard Group and especially Christel House for giving us such a wonderful opportunity.”
Names of the students who participated:-
Samson Cruz, Anil Kumar P, Paul Antony B, Purushotham U, Nelson F & Manigadan N
A budding young cricketer
A budding young cricketer, Christopher’s talent was spotted at a Cricket Training Academy he attended. He was selected to play in the Pepsi Cup Tournament where he was the highest scorer, scoring 78 runs in a match. His achievements earned him a place in the Indian Junior National Cricket team and he represented India against Sri Lanka. It was a dream come true for this 15 year old to step onto an airplane for the first time, proudly donning the new sports gear provided for the occasion by Christel House.
Christopher is a naturally talented athlete, blessed with speed, agility and spirit. Yet, he may never have attended high school, much less university, and playing an organized sport would have been out of question for him had Christel House not provided him the opportunity. He probably would have dropped out of school to perform heavy manual labor for a below-subsistence wage, following in the footsteps of his father who is an unskilled daily wage labourer. Christopher's mother works as a housemaid. His parents earn less than 77 USD per month to support their five dependents. Without Christel House, Christopher’s talents would have lain undiscovered.
Amazing Animators
For our young animators, Suresh Govindaraj, Swathi Ramesh and Rakshitha Basavaraj, the ability to capture and translate social issues in a multimedia format has won for them several recognitions and awards. Trained by Listen Up and supported by Adobe Youth Voice to learn the techniques of documentary film making, the three youngsters attended an intensive four days workshop where they leant the nuance of film making.
The productions from the three film makers include:
Rakshitha's Story which is influenced by the change that Christel House has brought into the lives of the students. Rakshitha was the protagonist in the documentary which describes the difficulties she had in pursuing her education until Christel House India entered her life.
Rakshitha Basavaraj and Suresh Govindaraj, along with two teachers, represented Christel House at a National Conference held in Pune in 2007, where all the members of iEARN participated, shared their experiences and their achievements. Around 25 institutions from all over India participated in the conference. The videos for "Rakshitka's Story", "Waste Management" and "Global Pollution" can be found in our news section.
The Commonwealth Essay Competition "Write Around the world".
Every year, the Commonwealth Essay Competition inspires thousands of young writers from all over the world. Organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the competition has been running for over 100 year and is a highly regarded and popular international education project, enjoying much esteem and support through out the Commonwealth. In 2008 Keerth Mary Mari Dass, Supriya Venkatesh and Nelson Francis Xavier submitted their entiries on "Write around the world" and all three received commendation certificates.
Athletics – Karnataka State Junior and Senior Athletic Meet
A group of 22 students were selected to take part in the Karnataka State Junior and Senior Athletics Meet held at the Kanteerava Stadium in August 2007. Suresh Govindaraj cleared a height of 1.45meters in High Jump and secured the 2nd place at the state level.
Christel House India Footballers at 3rd Division Karnataka State Level Football League Tournament.
Anand David, Deepak K and Samson A Cruz representing the Students Union Football Club were selected to play in the 3rd Division Karnataka State Level Football League Tournament.
Name: Sumaiya Begum
Year of Enrollment: 2001
Sumaiya’s father was once employed as an auto driver. Both her parents suffer from tuberculosis and are now quite ill. Sumiya's older sister works as a domestic help and supports the family. Her other siblings, Wasim Akhram is also a student at Christel House.
Their family income is a meager Rs. 3,000/- per month.
Despite her background, Sumaiya is a bright and responsible child. She is among the toppers in her class and is known for her excellent work ethic, sharp memory and confidence.
Her ambition is to become a computer engineer.
Name: Suresh G.
Year of Enrollment: 2003
Suresh’s father is a construction worker while his mother is unemployed. An all round performer, Suresh excels in English, Kannada, Hindi, Math and Social Studies, Math being his favourite subject. He is an active participant in various extra curricular activities, including sports. A tennis and football player, he has the distinction of being placed 3rd in High Jump at the Karnataka State Athletic Meet in 2007. He also participated in the Animating Training Program conducted by Adobe Youth Voice and is part of our prized team of student filmmakers. He aims to be a software engineer when he grows up.
Name: Lal Samuel
Year of Enrollment: 2003
Lal Samuel comes from the war-torn north eastern region of Manipur. Fearing for their lives his family fled to Bangalore and is now one of many displaced families being provided shelter in a local orphanage. Samuel's father is a security guard and his mother a housemaid. Samuel has 4 siblings and his younger brother Lumingthan also studies at Christel House.
Samuel is a very diligent student, loves football and is a member of the school band and choir. He wants to be missionary worker when he grows up.
Name: Christina Maria
Year of Enrollment: 2007
Christina’s father is a washerman and her mother a housemaid. Together they earn Rs. 3,500/- a month. Christina also has a younger sibling studying at Christel House.
An intelligent and hard working student. Christina excels in her studies. She enjoys literary activities like composing poems and acting and is known for her eloquent speaking skills and singing voice. She is a member of the school choir and literary club and when she grows up, would like to become a professional singer.
