- What went in
- Kraft envelope folders LifSkills workbooks
LifSkool is Olimalar Foundation's school-based life skills programme. It helps young people build practical skills for everyday life.
Group: local government school | Std 5 to 7 | 13 boys
This week, we began a 5-week programme with our Std 5 to 7 boys from a local government school. We chose to return because this is one of the schools where we already have an established partnership. Continuing here lets us build on the trust and relationships formed last year.
It was lovely to walk back into the classroom and see a few familiar faces. Boys we had met in Std 5 last year are now in Std 6. They are a little taller, and they still remembered us.
Space: regular classroom with students on benches.
Timing: we had 45 minutes, and we planned 60 minutes.
Our goal for the first session was simple. We wanted to break the ice, reconnect, and begin exploring our first life skill. That skill is self-awareness.
We started with "This or That." Because the classroom benches left little room to move, we took the boys into the corridor. We stood them in a line and called out two choices at a time. They moved left or right depending on their preference. This was a simple way to share something about themselves and notice where they were similar to or different from others.
Back inside, we introduced the LifSkills workbooks and the LifSkool Promise. We read the promise together, and each student signed it. A member of the LifSkool team signed alongside them. Co-signing helped make the expectations feel shared rather than simply a list of rules.
Each student also received their own folder and materials. Their first activity, "This Is Me," was to begin decorating the folder. They used drawings and words to show what they like and what they are good at. They also used symbols to show what matters to them.
Because the start was late, the boys had only around 15 minutes to sketch, so they took the folders home to complete.
- Each student used drawings, words and symbols to show what they like, what they are good at and what matters to them.
The activity helped break the ice, reconnect with students.
A practical field lesson. The classroom had a whiteboard, but no markers. We had planned to map out the activity on the board. "Bring whiteboard markers" went straight to the top of our prep list for Thursday.
Our biggest takeaway was simple. Creative, low-pressure activities made it easier to start conversations. They also helped us get to know the boys without pressuring anyone. It was a simple first session, but a lovely way to begin. It was also a grounding reminder to always work with the actual time, space and resources we have on the ground.
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