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project vanam vasapadum
is a
trauma-informed expressive arts intervention
by NalandaWay Foundation that creates joyful
art experiences to enhance the wellbeing of
the children in government-run child-care
institutions. A 14-year-old girl from Cuddalore
who had lost her mother was having a difficult
time processing her grief. rough this
programme, group sessions using role plays
and performing arts gradually helped her to
open up, make friends, and even discover the
singer inside her!
e unique methodology of NalandaWay is
premised on the understanding that children
from vulnerable backgrounds have a high risk
of emotional disturbance due to dysfunctional
homes, life on the streets, constant abuse and
social conflicts. Statistics show that the rate of
psychiatric disorders in in children aged 4-16
in India is 12 per cent. is programme, one
of the several initiatives of NalandaWay, works
with such children to move them away from the
inevitable cycle of substance abuse, abandoning
school, and other evils, and enhance their sense
of self and overall well-being.
NalandaWay was born to create a safe space
for children, where they can be free of fear,
where learning and joy can blend together.
NalandaWay
Foundation
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We express our identity and emotions through the visual arts
Founded by Sriram V Ayer in 2003
NalandaWay Foundation uses visual
and performing arts to help children
from underserved communities in
India. It endeavours to empower
disadvantaged children and
adolescents by improving learning
abilities, reinforcing positive behaviour
and helping them soar high by
enabling them to be creative and
express themselves through the arts.
Since 2019, the organization has
impacted over 6 million children
across Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Bihar,
Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
through diverse projects integrating
various forms of arts into education.