EL SHADDAI CHARITABLE TRUST, GOA (INDIA).

The Monsoon has set in and Goa looks green and beautiful. Sunshine is mild and the nights are cool. Colourful umbrellas are seen everywhere and evenings lead to many candle-lit dinners. Getting out of bed in the morning for a walk and jog becomes a little difficult due to the drizzle and returning home from office and school early, is a better prospect nowadays. Summer is past and our children are back from their holidays, eager to don their uniforms and backpacks for school.
Welcome

Towards the end of May the admissions to the homes, shelters and schools began in right earnest. We at El Shaddai made a commitment this year to reach out to as many children as possible and would find countless children with their parents and guardians at our doorsteps personally being interviewed by the Managing Trustee, Mr. Matthew Kurian. Orphans were given first preference and many from our Shelters have found a permanent Home in our units. We have with us, this academic year 60 new faces. Most of them are still awestruck at the love and care they receive for free. For the first time in their lives they have clean clothes, fresh looks with shoes and sandals on their feet. They now know the meaning of a refreshing bath and a full stomach. That’s love for them for the first time in their lives.

Au revoir’

Some of our older children bid adieu to El-shaddai, having lived here for many years. Parents managing themselves well and in better times, have taken their children to be with them. It is sad to see these children go as we had become attached to them; however we always believed that the best place for a child is with the parents. We wish each and every one of them good fortune and a bright future with the assurance that El Shaddai will always be there for their needs and support.

Triumphs

Children with us are enrolled in school, and proper ‘Education would ensure a good future’ for them. We have planned for individual coaching to the ones having difficulty with studies. Encouragement and support is dished out in large measures and every effort is made to ensure that proper environment is provided to facilitate studies. We are proud to announce that all our efforts have borne fruit. We have had a fantastic result this year. Our children having put their hearts and minds into their books and have come out with flying colours.

Shanti Niketan School has reopened and the children are back in the campus. The ones who had never been to a school are amazed with their nicely decorated classrooms and the new building. The Shelters and Homes are not far behind as almost all the children, except for the very small ones, attend school. It is so heart-warming to see all of them dressed in neat and clean uniforms marching off to school.

Health

The children are enjoying good health apart from the minor cuts and bruises. Due to change in weather few cases of fever were reported from the Homes and Shelters and the staff ensured that every child is treated and adequate precautions taken. Games and activities are generally keeping every one in shape.

Updates on Projects

Tremara Cottage Education Centre at Chimbel is progressing above our expectations with an average of 120 Children attending classes daily and our plans for adult literacy programme to start shortly.

Children Cottage Hospital, Assagao, The work on the project is in full swing, with the upper floor construction nearing completion.

The Ashalaya Children Development Centre (ACDC), Sikkim has been established and we look forward to its growth in anticipation. Documentation is under progress for final clearance.

Post Script

Admissions having come to a close and schools reopened, children and the staff are now settling down. Away from danger and fear, we as an organisation are committed to touch them with the love of God and share the goodness of the Almighty.

God bless you all, and see you next month!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 9:45 am and is filed under 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.