sri Bala Illam Education Intervention Program

Sri Bala Illam -Empowering Orphaned Children through Education and Care"

Sri Bala Illam, an orphanage for young children located in Selayang, has long received support from INSPIRE on an as-needed basis. However, in 2024, INSPIRE decided to shift from ad-hoc support to a long-term learning intervention program. This strategic change aims to conduct proper tracer studies to measure the outcomes of initiatives such as tuition classes funded by INSPIRE. This approach aligns perfectly with INSPIRE’s objective, “Uplifting Society through Education.” Below activities undertaken by INSPIRE at Bala Illam.

Home Improvement

Tamil New Year (2024) celebration at Sri Bala Illam was organized by the Inspire Society in collaboration with the Gujarati Association WP/Selangor. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Damani Parivar for their generous donation, which enabled us to paint the home and provide new mattresses and bedsheets. Previously, the children had to sleep on mats on the floor, which was far from ideal. Now, thanks to this initiative, the children have a much more comfortable and supportive place to sleep. This improvement not only enhances their physical health but also significantly boosts their overall quality of life. The collaboration between Inspire and the Gujarati Association showcases the positive impact that community support can have on improving the lives of those in need.

Academic/Learning Intervention Program

In April 2024, INSPIRE undertook a comprehensive evaluation of all the children to determine their academic levels. Based on the results, INSPIRE initiated tutoring sessions to support the children's educational needs. Special thanks are due to Shanmugam Muniandy for spearheading the initiative and Sumangala Pillai for her assistance with the assessment. Furthermore, INSPIRE introduced Yoga classes with the backing of Ari Marappan, the Vice President of Inspire Society. It is expected that regular practice will improve the students' focus and concentration, leading to sustained mental and physical well-being.

Caring the Children

In our ongoing efforts to provide better care for the children at Sri Bala Illam, we have hired a temporary warden. Previously, there was no dedicated warden to look after the children, which created a gap in their supervision and care. Fortunately, one of our members, Chandrasekar Subramaniam, an alumnus of USM, volunteered to serve as the temporary warden. Chandrasekar has taken the initiative to organize fun activities and exercises for the children, ensuring they remain engaged and active during their free time.

Career Counselling

As part of our ongoing commitment to the children at Sri Bala Illam, INSPIRE members have initiated career counselling for SPM leavers. Our objective is to guide these students on their next steps based on their exam results. We aim to ensure that they continue their education or training, whether it be in academic courses or technical skill programs offered by government skill development institutes. This initiative is part of our broader effort to prevent school dropouts and to support the children in achieving their full potential.

School Bus/Van

Previously, the caretaker was required to use his car for transporting students to different schools, necessitating multiple trips due to limited space. Upon discovering this issue, INSPIRE teamed up with the Rhythm Foundation, led by an ex-graduate of USM, to buy a second-hand van. This vehicle now allows all the students to be transported in a single trip, significantly enhancing the efficiency and convenience of their daily commute.