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Anna Hankimaa, an HR professional from Finland is finding herself both challenged and satisfied through helping Atma Partner Masoom develop their HR management & processes.

Thorough HR systems for Masoom will create a strong work force with lower staff turn-over, allowing Masoom to maximize their resources and spend more time focusing on programs. Atma has been supporting Masoom on strengthening their HR processes over the past quarter, and brought Anna in at a key time to be able to carry the development of HR documents and programs, and the implementation of new systems. Anna is a training and marketing expert, having taught marketing and worked as a consultant providing trainings. Since Anna began as an Atma Volunteer two months ago, this HR strengthening process has truly taken off. Here is Anna’s report on her experience as an Atma volunteer with Masoom.

“A challenge in the beginning is to try to understand the organisation’s culture and their way of working, thinking and collaborating. For that, you need someone from the organisation who has time to teach you and work with you. I’ve been lucky to have such a person, Lakshmi Jayakar, who knows Masoom in and out. We’ve been working as a team on this project.”

Masoom has been an Atma Partner since April 2010. When Atma volunteers are placed with partners, Atma remains a holistic support to the volunteer, allowing them to concentrate their efforts on their partner progress. The Atma Volunteer orientation ensured that Anna was well equipped to take on the HR requirements for Masoom. In addition to all the necessary information about the Atma Partner to start work there, Anna received constant aid and direction from Atma in her work with Masoom.

“I’ve worked in many organizations in the corporate and education sector, including consultancy which I think has provided me tools to do this. However, this is my very first time working in India, in the NGO sector and as a volunteer in organisations like Atma and Masoom. These factors have provided a great and enjoyable opportunity to learn.

The change that the new HR documents and programs will bring about will be seen in the coming weeks and months as the new handbooks, templates, induction programs and HR processes are being implemented. The implementation is quite concrete as there are a few new employees joining, and the processes, documents and HR responsibilities are now on ‘real life trial’. There’s definitely a learning curve, but so far, it looks good! The long term impact depends very much on consistency in adapting and following the new ways of working. I’ll be overseeing this as much as possible during March & April.

Atma has been consistent and supportive, providing a space for me to share my HR expertise with an Atma Partner who requires it. My experience with the Masoom team has also been very positive. Getting to know them has inspired me in the project since I’m working for them in trying to create structures, processes, templates that make their work more effective.  Knowing the organizational culture gives context, and hopefully has helped me to make solutions fitting to the organization’s reality. I’ve done nothing alone: everything has been through teamwork with Masoom, and especially with Lakshmi. Conversations with Lakshmi have been very fruitful, and crucial to the success of this project. The CEO’s constant feedback has been important in guiding the project. It is in the end her who makes the change happen, or not by believing in the project and requiring the organization to adapt and follow. Thus, I feel the outputs cannot be said to be provided by me although I’ve written them. The input from others has been huge!”

Atma has been thrilled to welcome two members from our Dutch Chapter, Martine and Nathalie, to visit Atma’s projects in Mumbai.

Atma has several international chapters across the globe: in Australia, the Netherlands, Canada. Atma Netherlands is the largest international chapter and has been heavily involved in Atma’s work since our founding in 2007.

Atma Netherlands has previously conducted fundraisers and events to raise awareness about Atma’s work in Mumbai and to generate donations. Dutch Board members visit Mumbai regularly to witness and engage in Atma’s work with our partners. This February, Atma (Mumbai) has the privilege of hosting Martine and Nathalie. They had this to say about their visit so far:

“It is great to finally be in India, and so much fun to be in the chaotic and colourful city-life of Mumbai. And it is even better to be part of the Atma experience for a week! During this week packed with meetings, site visits and time with the team, we got the chance to catch experience Atma’s impact on Atma Partners.

One of the Atma Partners we visited was Masoom. Nikita Ketkar, the founder of Masoom took us to one of the Masoom night schools. It was inspiring to see the dedication of each night school student. During this visit, Masoom was called “the heart and soul of the night school” by the school’s headmaster for all that they add to his school. Masoom told us that Atma’s support has been crucial in the growth and expansion of their organisation.

Being in India and witnessing the projects Atma is working with makes us thankful and proud: thankful to be part of the Atma family, and proud to see the impact Atma is making.Going back to the Netherlands, we will be even more motivated to support the Mumbai team in the work they do.”

What’s coming up for Atma Netherlands? The Atma Dutch chapter is very busy organising their biggest funding event the Atma Challenge. The 2012 Atma Challenge will bring together 30 people to climb the Mera Peak in Nepal, a mountain of approx. 6500m. The participants will young professionals between the age of 25 and 30. The Atma Challenge is off to a great start with 100 people attending the 2 information sessions held last week.

By March 15, the group of 30 that will take on the challenge will be selected. Between March and October, the team will go through a preparation phase will take place including physical training, team building and fundraising. The Challenge team targets to raise a total of EUR 60,000 for Atma.

The expedition will take place in Oct-Nov 2012 and will take 3 weeks. After the mountain climb, the group hopes to visit Atma in Mumbai to witness the impact of their efforts.

Atma is so honoured to have the Dutch Chapter so engaged and committed to supporting Atma’s work in Mumbai. To learn more about the Atma Challenge, visit www.atmachallenge.org or write to resources@atma.org.in. Stay tuned for stories and photos to come!

Karla Kevin and Ravi Bagaria recently completed a five week Atma Volunteership. This is their Atma experience in their own words.

Ravi: After having given our Final exams for becoming Chartered Accountants, Karla and I started looking for a volunteer opportunity. We had two months in hand and wanted to utilise it to the fullest by helping non-profits with their investments, financial and tax planning.

Karla: The first thing that set Atma apart from other NGOs was the professional manner that volunteer recruitment was done. I received prompt responses to emails and we went for a meeting at the Atma office where our volunteer role were defined from the very beginning. That illustrated how much Atma values their volunteers and their resources, which was refreshing and encouraging! I instantly knew Atma would be the place where Ravi and I could make the most of the time I’d set apart for volunteer work.

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On June 20^th, Atma Partner Masoom hosted a textbook distribution event at Sahakar night school. That evening, 25 Masoom students from standards 8 to 10 received notebooks and textbooks for their studies.

Masoom supports night schools in Mumbai by creating high quality educational environments and providing a variety of supplementary resources to night school students. These resources include mobile science labs, libraries, enriched curriculums, and of course, textbooks.

Photo by a Masoom Volunteer

Masoom has been an Atma Partner since 2009. Over the course of the Atma-Masoom Partnership, Atma has supported Masoom in multiple areas of their organizational development. Atma has helped Masoom to grow in areas of HR by engaging two new dynamic staff members, in branding by developing Masoom’s logo and website, and in marketing by creating a promotional film.

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Atma Partner Masoom is an NGO that focuses on illuminating Mumbai’s night schools. Night school students attend classes at night after working during the day, and must make do with fewer resources than regular students. Founded by Nikita Ketkar, an Unltd India Investee, Masoom exists to improve the classroom infrastructure and educational offerings in Mumbai night schools, allowing night school students to excel academically.

Click to learn more about Masoom and Atma’s other Partnerships.

Photo by a Masoom volunteer

This young man is studying from a Braille textbook at a night school supported by Atma Partner Masoom. Masoom works to improve the educational offerings at night schools in Mumbai.