Nareshwadi Learning Center (NLC), run by the Girivanvasi Educational Trust (GVET), educates children aged 5-17 from underprivileged families. Most students are from the local Warli tribal community, with a few Kokanas, Katkari, and Dodhi. The school also accepts village kids with single parents, no parents, and HIV-positive family members.
In addition to conducting classes from 1st to 10th grade, NLC facilitates vocational training for children that opens doors to various work opportunities and makes them financially stable. Let’s dive deeper into the history, evolution, present-day scenario, and future of the vocational training program at NLC.
A look back in time: Tracing the roots of vocational training at NLC
Vocational training at Nareshwadi Learning Center (NLC) was conceptualised and implemented nearly two decades ago in 2002. The mastermind behind the program, Mrs Leelaben Madhavjibhai Kotak, the Trustee of Girivanvasi Educational Trust (GVET), wanted to make school students and unemployed village youth capable of securing skill-based jobs and supporting their families financially. It was primarily targeted at children facing financial constraints, affecting their ability to continue higher education after clearing their SSC board exam.
In the initial years, NLC trained students for lucrative career roles in the plumbing and garment industries that were thriving in Dahanu, Umbergaon, and other regions in Maharashtra. Later, things took an artistic turn. Keep reading to know more.
Evolution of vocational training at NLC: Introduction of Warli art and woodwork
In 2007, Dr Patricia Gokhale was appointed the CEO of Nareshwadi Learning Center (NLC). She brought in transformative ideas for the vocational training program. Recognising that most students at NLC came from the Warli tribal community, she introduced Warli painting as one of the vital vocational activities. The decision proved to be highly beneficial. Given that the children had reverence for their tribal cultural heritage, a deep understanding of Warli painting, and some prior experience with the art form, it was easier to hone their skills and encourage them to pursue it professionally. Many students also felt motivated by a sense of responsibility to preserve the Warli art for future generations.
One day in 2012, Dr Patricia Gokhale received a beautiful woodcraft product from a guest from Jawhar. Constantly looking for ways to improve the vocational training program, the thoughtful gift sparked an idea in her mind. She visited the woodcraft workshop in Jawhar with the Vocational Coordinator, Mr Jitendra Patil, where they had an elaborate discussion with the owner about the production and sales of the products. Impressed with the insights during the brief exchange, she started woodcraft training at NLC in 2013.
Product making, marketing, and sales: Benefits for students
In the initial years between 2013 and 2016, professionals taught the trainees to make simple and useful products such as mobile phone stands, pen stands, bookmarks, key chains, paperweights, and more. They also guided them in decorating these items with traditional Warli art, depicting vivid scenes of farming, fishing, hunting, dancing, and nature.
Over the years, NLC upgraded the woodcraft workshop with heavy-duty, modern machinery and equipment. After that, for safety reasons, the school stopped woodcraft training for children under 18 years old. However, the older ones continue to train and create functional wood products for sale.
Younger children, on the other hand, start learning Warli painting from experts at an early age. It gives them ample time to refine their skills in the tribal art form and develop expertise as they grow older.
In addition to teaching art and craft skills, the experts help students and village youth develop business acumen to market and sell their creations in the future after graduation. They teach them different business models, conduct factory visits, and share alumni success stories.
While still in school, NLC helps students sell their Warli paintings and woodcraft products in craft markets and other educational institutions of Somaiya Vidyavihar. The trustees, faculty, and staff members of NLC also promote these items personally, attracting many art and craft lovers to buy them. NLC transfers 50% of the net revenue generated through product sales into the students’ bank accounts and releases it once they clear their SSC board exam and graduate. Students can use these funds to pursue higher studies, launch their art and craft business, or support their families—the possibilities are vast!
Celebrating alumni stories: How art and craft vocational training transformed lives
Nareshwadi Learning Center (NLC) has empowered many students to pursue careers in Warli painting and woodcraft. NLC alumni such as Mr Deepak Dhakal Sahare, Mr Rohan Tumbada, and Mr Jayesh Dhanap are testaments to the success of the school’s vocational training program.
Mr Deepak Dhakal Sahare joined NLC in 2013 as a Warli art instructor and has been training students since then. He says, “The current generation is unaware of our roots and rich cultural heritage. Teaching Warli painting helps me pass on my knowledge and skills to today’s youth. It is my small contribution to protecting the Warli Art for many more years.”
Mr Jayesh Dhanap is also a Warli Art teacher in Zilla Parishad schools in villages such as Vasantwadi and Jamshet. He is also an independent artist and creates murals, woodcraft products, and digital art. Talking proudly about his alma mater, he says, “The vocational training at Nareshwadi helped me become a talented Warli artist and enabled me to stand on my feet.”
Mr Rohan Tumbada‘s life turned from tragic to fulfilling with the help of the vocational training program. When his father passed away while he was still in school, the entire responsibility to care for him and his two siblings fell on his mother’s shoulders. NLC equipped him with Warli painting skills and prepared him to work as an independent artist after school. Today, he fends for his family’s basic needs and funds his siblings’ education through his earnings. His mother is relieved that NLC has made his son financially independent and brought happiness back into their lives.
Future plans for vocational training at NLC
Nareshwadi Learning Center (NLC) has grand plans to expand the Vocational Educational Training Centre (VETC). The members are working towards getting the state board affiliation so that vocational training can become a part of the curriculum. NLC also wants to introduce more industrial courses, such as plumber and electrician, to create more learning and work opportunities for students. NLC was and always will be committed to creating a stable and sustainable financial situation for children from tribal communities, street children, and orphans.
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