In 2007, DRISHTI launched Videoshala, an initiative, which redefines and enriches traditional approaches to education through community video. Rather than relying on large educational video production houses to deliver programming to students, local teams of producers create videos that explore topics teachers find difficult to teach and students to learn. The producers- adult members of the students’ own communities who have completed a 21-month Drishti training- meet with students and teachers to identify curricular “hard spots” and then create video kits (videos, worksheets, activities, and teacher manuals) on those concepts. These unique kits offer a fresh model for interactions and aim to build a stronger community through the depiction of respectful interactions amongst diverse faiths, castes, generations and genders. Videos have been screened in over 200 schools to over 8400 children around Gujarat through interactive sessions conducted by the 25 trained community producers.

This Project is supported by the USAID-created Quest Alliance, a partnership of public, private and non-governmental organizations, including Microsoft, Wipro and the International Youth Foundation, who work together to promote technology in education.