A pilot was conducted on teaching life skills to children from rural schools through Sports and Music. The target group included children studying in 5th, 6th and 7th class from 10 schools of 7 villages from Dharwad block of Dharwad district. The villages that participated in the programme were Hebballi, Amminbhavi, Marewad, Timmapur, Karadigudda, Pudakalakatti and Lakamapur.

This pilot was a great learning curve as it indeed was a challenge to teach life skills through music and sports.

There were several training programmes organised to build capacities of the sports and music coaches. Music and Football experts from different places delivered sessions for the respective coaches. Noted poet Shri. Ninganna Kunti delivered session for the music group on how to compose poems. Eminent educationist Sri. Suresh Kulkarni engaged a session for the coaches on bringing creativity in teaching.

At the end of the pilot cycle, events were organised for show casing talents of children. Inter village music competitions were held which were witnessed by a large number of people from the villages. The final events were held at Timmapur and Hebballi village. It was heartening to see more than 1000 pouring into the grounds to watch the competitions and cheer the children of their respective villages. The villagers came in jeeps, tractors, cars and two wheelers to the place of event to witness the event albeit late as usual.

The responsibility of refreshment expenses, the stage costs, water arrangements were shouldered voluntarily by the SDMC and Panchayat of Timmapur and Hebballi. The whole ambiance put forth a semblance of a popular festival in the village.

The program had a conspicuous effect on the overall personalities of the children. The children became more regular to school and presented themselves better. They became more confident, active and cooperative at home. They also developed awareness on hygiene, which was evident from the feedback given by the school staff and the parents. Most of them started participating in events organised at schools. Children developed perseverance which also helped the children do well in their studies. The programme also bettered the coordination between the children, parents, SDMC members and Panchayat members.

Overall the pilot was a success beyond our expectations. Almost all newspapers carried the news.