Learning English is seen as aspirational in the Nilgiris, and we aimed to fill this gap in government schools. Spoken English is taught through Karadi Path, a visual method where children enjoy learning through actions and songs.
For reading, technology has proven more effective. We use the Google Read Along app, loaded on tablets with headphones, to create a language lab-like environment. Students can read without inhibition, with the app correcting their English and awarding scores and stars based on performance.
Encouraged by the results obtained at MMS Gandhipuram, we extended the tablet program first to the CMS hostel and Attadi school. The teachers were happy with the progress there as well and hence we decided to expand tablet distribution to more schools in the Coonoor block.
With the support of Adhyan Charitable Trust and Mr Soumya Sen who sponsored 50 tablets, we managed to distribute the tablets to a total of 15 schools, in some of the most remote areas of the Coonoor block. (See pic below).
To ensure an objective assessment of the reading, we tied up with IIT Bombay, and rolled out TARA, their reading assessment app, that has already been deployed in most KV in India. We thus planned to roll out the TARA app to all these 15 schools. We completed an online training by IIT Bombay in July 2026, for using TARA. TARA will enable us to do objective baseline and endline assessments, something which is lacking in the Google Read Along App.
Most rural children only get a chance to work on computers from Class 10, and even then, with limited exposure. The computer labs we’ve set up in two foster homes help fill this gap. We started with the basics, and some students have already progressed to coding and multimedia. We also have a Digital Corner in our Learning Lab.
Since many rural schools in the region lack well-equipped science labs, we use a practical and compact science kit developed by the India Literacy Project. We also ensure the presence of facilitators to help conduct experiments. So far, we have distributed around 50 science kits and also conduct separate practical science classes—making science both hands-on and fun.
Our first CSR project, supported by the Microland Foundation, this Learning Lab adopts a multipronged learning approach, aiming to connect with every type of learner. In addition to the Digital and Reading Corners, we have also introduced a Creativity Corner. The students look forward to their time at the Learning Lab, and the school teachers are very pleased with the results.
We conduct art workshops, book readings, and storytelling sessions led by volunteers, exposing children to experts in these fields.
Be My Buddy Foundation now has a physical presence, Aarambam, a 3000 sq feet multi-activity Learning Centre that will cater to the Coonoor Community and may even spread to other regions of the Nilgiris. STEM is represented through a digital lab, makerspace including carpentry, robotics and electronics with a 3D printer for hands-on learning while a small stage and hall can be used for performing and visual arts.
Courses and workshops are offered not only by Be My Buddy Foundation itself but also through collaborative efforts with our partners. Our govt school engagements have now expanded since we are now no longer confined to individual schools but the same resources and team can be put to better use, without having to duplicate these in various schools.
This is a trial phase that we are implementing in a rented premises and we are planning to move into our own space, if successful.
We conduct sports classes with the support of Sports Village. Our sports coach was trained by them, and we also procured sports equipment for schools through their guidance.
Chess, being a popular sport in Tamil Nadu, is actively encouraged. We support interested students by providing chess boards and coaching.
We facilitate participation in district-level meets for both schools and individual students by offering additional coaching and sports kits. Local sports like Kabaddi and Kho Kho are popular and are therefore promoted.
MMS Attadi secured 2nd place at the Zonal Level Kho-Kho Tournament. Santosh, a physically challenged student from MMS Attadi, won 1st place in the 50-meter race at the District Level Meet.
To unearth the natural talent of rural kids in the performing arts, we sponsored a musical marching band at one school. The Superintendent of Police of the Nilgiris district was kind enough to inspect the band and promised to invite it to various district events.
We also held our first English drama competition between the schools we support. This was a great way for students to practice their spoken English. Speaking on stage boosted their confidence levels.
An organic garden has been created within a protective enclosure at MMS Bandishola, allowing children to learn how to grow vegetables that are used in their mid-day meals. The students are enthusiastic about working in the kitchen garden.
We chip in to distribute uniforms, shoes, stationery, etc., based on requests from the schools. Thus, we have organized formal uniforms with blazers, sports shoes, and more.
We firmly believe in the dignity of every child and the importance of learning in a conducive environment. Hence, we do not shy away from upgrading school infrastructure when required. We have renovated one school and upgraded another.
Our infrastructure projects include the renovation of classrooms, kitchens, and toilets, as well as the creation of Learning Labs with smart boards and reading corners to provide modern learning environments for students.
It was while distributing tablets to some of the remote schools in the Coonoor block that we realised that many schools did not even have good quality black writing boards. Thus we used the opportunity of the Daan Utsav week (the Joy of Giving week celebrated all over the country in October) to start a crowd sourcing donation drive in conjunction with some incentives provided by the Give Platform. We managed to collect enough funds to supply 150 new green writing boards and distributed them to around 140 schools around Coonoor and Gudalur, including a few tribal schools. A Math teacher silently confided that her greatest trepidation while moving into the govt school system was writing sums on these cracked black boards.
Creative pedagogy workshops and support programs are conducted not only to train our own teachers in the selected methodology but also to organize events that are open to all the teachers of the schools we support.
"Catch them young" is our motto. We expose our tiny tots to games and audio-visual aids that help improve eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and cognitive development.
