The new Academic season and the month of June were exciting for the Children and the Staff alike. We had a total of 111 children visiting the shelter during the month, of these, 54 are our regular school going children while 11 are fresh admissions.Our night shelter children, Kissan and Sanjay Powar have been shifted to SH and HOK respectively. These children though living with their parents, had no proper shelter and living on the roadside, often facing police brutality and in extremely unhygienic conditions. Having stayed at Asha Deep for the past 5 months, improved themselves and enjoying proper childhood.
Our five year old day care child Akash Mane has been referred to Hamara School for admission into their home for street children. Akash used to live in a slum in Betim with his father, stepmother and grandmother, however due to family problems he was neglected by his parents to the extent that he went without food on many days. His grandmother would bring him to AD daily and pleaded placing him in a suitable Home. We are grateful to “Hamara School” for having provided him a secure place to grow up.
Rajbeer Paswan was referred to St. Anthony’s Convent Boys Home where he was given admission and concession on the fees. Rajbeer was placed in the boarding school as his father, due to the nature of his work (construction), is moving from place to place, making it impossible for the child to attend a regular school.
Susheela Rathod, a former day care child placed with RH in June ’07, has returned to AD this month having exited by her parents six months ago. Hungry and clad in filthy clothes, she travelled from Calangute to AD all by herself and pleaded to be accepted back to RH. She informs that her alcoholic parents were not bothered and she feared for her safety. She is now happy to be back in a safe and secure place with us.
Our regular school children were delighted to begin their new academic year at the school. It was excitement written on the faces of those going for the first time that couldn’t be missed! These children were regular at AD and having received non-formal education here, they couldn’t wait to begin school themselves.
The field workers have done an outstanding job, patiently visiting and counselling the parents on the importance of education; contribution by the teachers in preparing these children for school is also worth applauding. The staff issued free stationery received from El Shaddai to all the school going children while Sharon and Rob Kay sponsored raincoats and Linda Cant provided school bags.
The Team is now working on few more families and hopefully will be able to get their children too into school, next month.
The prize for the ‘child of the month’ was shared by Akash, Chandni and Ravina. It was a close choice, as quite a few other Children proved themselves as good.
Ramdas bid us bye as he left for Bible College. He was a very dedicated and hardworking staff and will be missed by us all.
Due to change in weather, fever was prevalent this month and we had children treated for the same. Sanjay (now shifted to HOK) was taken to the G.M.C. to complete his immunization. Generally the health and hygiene is good.
We had regular visits from the office staff and other local visitors. We are especially grateful to Mrs. Louisa Monteiro for snacks to our children, and to Diego D’costa who donated clothes and stationery.
“Thanks” to all our well-wishers, donors and to the Management, for their support. Our gratitude above all, to God Almighty who has been with us all the way. Asha Deep will continue to remain a Beacon and a hope to many street children.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 7th, 2008 at 8:25 am and is filed under Asha Deep, Events, Projects. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.