ROUND - UP

Rains are receeding in the  month of September, and the Sun shines more frequently while the days are cool. It is a mixed bag on weather; but despite this the children had a great month, in high spirits. The children were engaged in a lot of creative activities and competitions and also the holidays too added to the excitement. (more…)

ASHA DEEP, PANAJI.

 The Shelter during September, had a daily attendance of 40 to 45 children. A total of 84 children visited the Shelter and 66 of these children attend formal school and are the pride of the staff of the Shelter. These children are also an example in their community which attracts other children to our Shelter. This month however the attendance reduced as the children and their folks went to their own villages for the Ganesh festival. Yeshu Killedar has adjusted well at Montfort and is enjoying his training in Automobile Mechanics and visited the Shelter during the Ganesh holidays. (more…)

The monsoon this year has been heavy and engaging, with the temperatures low and pleasant. Inspite of the wet weather conditions, the Homes, Shelters and the School provided a comfortable environment for the Children, without any disruption in their School session and daily activities.All the Homes and Shelters are functioning comfortably with regular activities and competitions galore. The Purchases and maintenance is in full swing under control. Projects are progressing well. Visitors and Sponsors have begun to visit the Homes and Shelters. The school had a load of activities during this month. Events and competitions ensured that every child took part. (more…)

Regular school was held in the month of August. Despite the heavy showers the students are now finally allotted different classes.

The second  week was mainly planned in  preparing for Independence day functions. The children made their own flags; some did it by crushing colored paper and sticking them on to the flag while some of them colored  the flags. On the 15^th August, “Independence Day”. the organization distributed sweets to mark the occasion.

A meeting was organized for parents on the 22^nd to keep them informed on their child performance and progress. The parents were also instructed on health and hygiene, spending quality time with their young ones and parents have given their names for adult education classes, during this meeting..

The last week of August saw the children preparing for a  Poetry, competition,. which  was held on 29^th. 22 students participated and  prizes were given away. We also celebrated the birthdays’ by distributing cup cakes and now look forward to a bright and sunny September.

The month of August is always a slow month at the Stepping Stones Shelter as many of the children accompany their parents to their native villages due to the monsoons.

Stepping Stones now has about 35 to 40 children coming in daily for daycare. Most of these children are rag pickers, beggars and basically the ones who do not have anything. They do not have access to education or any technical training. Our aim in these cases is to give the children the best so that they can have a better tomorrow. For the children who have attended the Shelter there has been a load of activities. Education on character building, personal health and hygiene and good manners were given to them. In addition Non formal education through fun activities has been taught to the children. The formal school going children have been given individual attention to enable them to do well in their school. Medical assistance has been given whenever needed. (more…)

The month of August had an average of 45 to 55 children per day visiting the Shelter. Two new children were admitted to school this month and a total of 17 children have been admitted this year. The children who come for Day Care are encouraged and prepared for admission into formal schools in the coming academic year. These children belong to poor families with most of their parents employed as labourers in construction work or as helpers in the market. The parents being occupied with work form early morning till late night, the responsibility of household chores is often on the children. They carry water for their homes, wash clothes and even cook food, their little hands and feet often carrying tell- tale signs (burn marks, calloused palms) for the hard work they do. (more…)

The ‘Friendship day’ was celebrated through exchange of friendship bands and programmes while on the occasion of the ‘Independence Day’ the children performed a choreographed programme during the youth service. The formal school girls went to their respective schools, for the flag hoisting ceremony on the 15^th of August.

Almost all the children have been engaged with their studies this month. The joy that success brings is also an incentive for others to excel. Our staff is monitoring their progress regularly.   

Salima (146) & Priyanshi (91) took part in a ‘Card Design’ competition at the SFX High School, Siolim and were awarded special certificates by the school. (more…)

The month of August has been enjoyed very much by the boys of Victory House in outdoor games. They also took part in various other activities conducted by organizations and have done pretty well.

The 61st Independence Day was celebrated with gusto & fervour. On this occasion, our children were invited by the La Mansion Hotel, Guirim. The performing group of boys and girls received a gift for participating in the singing and dance competition. The staff of La Mansion also supported the function and all the guest winners donated their cash winnings towards the children of El Shaddai. (more…)

August kept the Shelter engaged with the number of children and visitors rising steadily. The school going children are spreading awareness of the shelter and so also are the locals. This month we were able to attend to nearly 1833 children. Everyday 60 to 70 children attended for food, shelter and basic medical attention.  

On the occasion of ‘Independence Day’, sweets were distributed to the children. Our Volunteer, Maxina & her mother Rachel visited the shelter and spent time with the children. They also visited the slums and were introduced to Ruksana (a paralytic child) and Teherien  Banu (a blind child). (more…)

Competitions for the boys in our care were planned in August.  The children have begun to enjoy their games time in a big way and almost everyone is involved in some kind of physical activity. Lots of sports items have been bought and given to them and they are making the best use of it. One feels proud when the boys excel. Some are also getting ready for the various tournaments that are scheduled once the monsoon season closes. Badminton and table tennis are the two disciplines that is being given high priority by the children, while we encourage them for different kinds of sports as we want them to be physically fit and always ready to compete with their peers. (more…)