Roundup of May
The children enjoyed the month of May with various activities like museum visits and water games park outings while the rest of the staff had a busy month getting ready for the monsoon and the following academic year. It was also a month where a lot of staff members went to their own homes to enjoy a few weeks with their families.
Number of children attending our Shelters this month fell as many have gone to their native lands to take care of their homes and fields along with their parents. Being the summer school break many have gone to their homes for a few days. However in the Shelter at Panaji, due to concerted fieldwork we actually had new children attending and this is very encouraging indeed. We have to congratulate our fieldworker in all three Shelters for an excellent work not only regarding children but also in raising awareness among the slum dwellers on issues of health and the coming monsoons.
Many children came visiting the Shelters. These are the ones who were rescued by and later relocated in schools or training institutions. They came and spent a few days at the Shelters during the holidays.
The health of the children was excellent this month apart from the few who needed medical and hospital care. All have recovered or on the road to recovery.
At the top of the month we had the Project Partners camp. More than 200 children from out of Goa projects visited us and had a great time. They were here for four days and enjoyed every minute of it. Another camp was held for the youth which was attended by many of the senior boys and girls of El Shaddai. They had a wonderful time and have said that this camp has enriched their lives.
The school was closed for summer. However, landscaping was in full swing to get a football ground and a couple of volley ball courts ready. A beautiful garden is also being laid to further enhance the charm of the school. A new roof is also being laid which is 100 percent organic. Teachers and staff came back towards the end of May to make preparations for the reopening and the following academic year. Assignments, charts and other related material is all being put together for the students.
The Homes and Shelters bear a new look, inside and outside. All maintenance work has been carried out and extensive repairs too in an attempt to get the Units ready for the monsoons and the year ahead.
New staff has joined and old have come back from holidays. We wish the new ones a long tenure with El Shaddai and hope they will enrich the lives of the children they serve.
There have been many new admissions to the Homes. Many small children both boys and girls have been admitted into our Homes and we hope to influence their lives and give them back their childhood. We hope we can touch them with the love of God and share His kindness with them.