Samaritan Purse gift boxes bring delight to the children of Asha Deep
March was spent by the children deep in their books. All school going children were serious with studies as the final term examination was fast approaching. It gave us a sense of pride to see that children had developed a love for books and lessons. Non formal education at the Shelter was also pretty focussed this month. We had to get children ready for admissions in schools for the forthcoming academic year and so staff made every effort to coach children. They learnt basic alphabets and sounds and how to identify pictures. On an average 45 children attended Asha Deep and altogether 96 children availed of facilities at Asha Deep. Kissan and Sanjay Powar stayed as night shelter boys throughout this month.
Our staff has been busy too. There was AWANA training for three days that they attended and other seminars on child related issues. Leadership training at the head office was taken by Ramdas and Karuna. New Shelter uniforms have been issued to children who now look very smart. The building that houses Asha Deep is being painted too and this has excited the children very much. One must remember that they are the ones that clean thoroughly the staircase that everybody uses. Karuna is at the helm of the Shelter followed by Yvonne and Ramdas. Loukesh is the cooka and Lawrence who was under training has been moved to to Shekinah House for a few days.
On the medical front we had a great month. Just a few cases of skin infection and the regular cold, cough and fever. All our children are doing fine and the few who have been treated are recovering well and should be 100% soon. Tablets to deworm them them have been given and also we began a course fo Vitamin tablets for children. We do believe the talks on health and hygiene have had a positive effect on the lifestyle of this children and their parents.
Rmdas and Loukesh have gone out for fieldwork regularly this month. Loukesh after finishing his cooking duties accompanies Ramdas to slums, fish harbours, markets, interstate bus terminus, beaches and the park. Due to the concerted efforts of these two young men new faces are seen at Asha Deep. They encourage parents to send their children to us and have a difficult task convincing some of them. Fieldworkers also administer First Aid on the field in the various places visited.
The highlight of the month was the distribution of Samaritan Purse gift boxes to children. These boxes are packed by American children at Christmas as part of sharing the love and joy of Christmas with children in India. This year they arrived just in time for Easter. Mr. Tony Dias, Assistant Commissioner of Customs came to the Shelter and distributed the gifts. Children squealed and shrieked with delight as they opened the gifts boxes. They discovered treasures packed and sent from far away across the seas to share the love of God with the less fortunate ones. They smiled and talked and showed each other the gifts. They said a prayer for their unknown friends across the seas. We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Gospel Mission India for bringing such a lot of delight to our children and smiles on our faces.
Volunteers this month were a great help. They assisted us with children’s English lessons and also games and other activities. Dadima was a great help as always being a great friend to the children. A special thanks to Rachel who helped us throughout this month regularly. Visitors who came and blessed us with time and donations get a special God bless you from our children and staff.
The summer vacations begin at in the first week of April and many children will go to their own native villages for holidays. We will experience a drop in the number of children attending. We hope to concentrate on children who have not been contacted so far. We are planning to go to places where a child may be at risk and need our help. We hope to reach out to many this way.