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Children struggling to keep up with their classmates are being offered a unique opportunity to catch up with their academic studies.
A Bahrain-based charity is back in the business of offering free lessons to families who cannot afford private tuition but need a helping hand before schools reopen and during the academic year.
The Charity and Assistance Association of Parents (CAAP) stopped tuition last year due to a lack of space. Now, it has set aside a new base and is appealing for volunteer teachers to step forward for a good cause.
T C Raveendran, president of CAAP and a senior engineer at the Bahrain Defence Force, has set aside an extended, converted part of his residence in Riffa for classes.
"We now have two classrooms that can accommodate between 15 and 20 children aged six and above," he said.
"It was an empty space which was levelled, refilled and built from scratch by our members. We have also received assistance from various organisations that support our project."
The classrooms have a full set of chairs, desks, benches and two white boards.
Aside from regular subjects, Mr Raveendran hopes other courses and activities could also be provided in the future.
The organisation has conducted chess tournaments and drawing competitions in the past. Mr Raveendran, 59, a chess enthusiast, said he was willing to provide coaching.
"It's a universal game and really helps improve a child's skills," he said.
As the project develops, he also hopes to offer computer classes not just to students, but their parents as well.
The idea of providing free classes originated five years ago following discussions between the charity's former president P C Mathew, who now lives in the US, Mr Raveendran, and more than 100 other big-hearted parents.
"We were the privileged ones - we had transport, textbooks and uniforms and could afford school tuition fees. But, we were aware that many parents couldn't offer the same opportunities to their children due to difficult circumstances," Mr Raveendran said.
"We set up three tuition centres - at a volunteer's home in Muharraq, the Indian Club in Manama and my home."
The CAAP has a 10-member executive committee and boasts the backing of more than 500 parents.
Support has come from all sections of the Bahraini and expat community. The charity even received cash from an Australian family who donated funds from a birthday party hosted for their two-year-old son. Guests were invited to donate to the cause instead of bringing gifts.
The CAAP has also provided school books for families who couldn't afford them.
Mr Raveendran said that the organisation is in contact with local schools so that pupils who might benefit from extra tuition and help could be identified.
"The parents are also happy," the president added.
Having lived in Bahrain for 32 years and seen his three sons through their schooling, Mr Raveendran wishes to continue to offer a helping hand to the needy.
For further details contact 38852695.
