By Sidharth Hendre, Life Skills Facilitator & Youth Development Practitioner
In all my years working across diverse geographies—from the hills of the North East with Pratham, to urban schools through the American India Foundation, to community-led innovation at Goonj—I’ve learned one thing: no education is complete without life skills.
Reading and writing are critical, yes. But without emotional regulation, decision-making, and empathy, even the best syllabus can fall short in the real world. That’s why, when I began facilitating life skills sessions at the After-School Program with Samavesh, I saw it not as enrichment—but as essential education for children from underserved communities.
What We Did: Everyday Tools for Everyday Choices
At our Bhosari and Ganj Peth centers, I work with children who juggle a lot more than school. Many return home to look after younger siblings, manage water collection, or help their parents run street stalls or sort scrap. These are not children who lack intelligence. They’re children who are forced to prioritize survival over self-expression.
In our sessions, we use storytelling, games, local dilemmas, and reflective dialogue to build life skills. We talk about things like:
- “What do I do when I’m angry?”
- “How do I make a difficult choice?”
- “Who is in my safe circle of support?”
- “What does respect look like when someone disagrees with me?”
One activity that resonates deeply is “My Circle of Control”—where children sort what’s in their control (studying, speaking up) vs. what’s not (electricity cuts, parents’ work schedules). It’s simple, but powerful.
A 13-year-old girl once said, “Now I know I can’t stop the fights at home, but I can stop shouting back.”
What I Observed: Awareness That Grows Quietly
Life skills don’t show up on report cards. But they show up in everyday behavior.
I’ve seen children who were hesitant to speak now take leadership in group activities. I’ve seen boys reflect on gender roles. I’ve seen girls assert their boundaries when someone mocks their appearance.
One boy, 14, once said, “Earlier I thought being strong means fighting back. Now I think it means controlling your reaction.”
These are not textbook insights. They’re the result of regular practice, safe spaces, and consistent listening.
The Impact We’re Beginning to See
Across over 40 sessions conducted this year on topics like empathy, communication, peer pressure, and self-image, we’ve seen:
- 78% of children show improved emotional vocabulary—using words like “frustrated,” “ignored,” “nervous,” or “hopeful” instead of just “good” or “bad”
- 61% of students demonstrate active listening and collaborative problem-solving during group tasks
- Nearly 70% feel more confident speaking in a group—especially those in the 11–14 age group
These are quiet outcomes. But they’re also the roots of lifelong resilience.
Why Samavesh’s Approach Matters
Too often, life skills programs are seen as “add-ons.” At Samavesh, they’re embedded into the everyday culture of the center—as essential as math or reading. We don’t just teach children how to behave. We co-create a space where they can practice agency, empathy, and decision-making in ways that are relevant to their lived realities.
Especially for children from low-income, Dalit, migrant, and informal worker backgrounds, these skills aren’t optional. They’re tools of navigation—in homes, schools, jobs, and public life.
Looking Ahead
I hope to build modules that connect life skills to community action—so children not only know how to reflect, but also how to respond to their surroundings with confidence and care. I also want to bring in more regional storytelling, folk games, and reflective writing as part of our pedagogy.
Because for many of our children, success isn’t about high marks—it’s about having the courage to say no, to ask for help, or to stand up for what’s right.
And for that, life skills are not just important. They’re foundational.
About the Author
Sidharth Hendre is a youth development practitioner with experience across education and community-based programs. He has worked with Pratham in the North East, led school engagement initiatives with the American India Foundation, and facilitated community development projects at Goonj. At Samavesh, after from his role as Head of Operations he leads life skills sessions under the After-School Program across multiple centers in Pune.
