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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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). Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

The month began with ‘Friendship day’ celebration and horde of visitors. Our Volunteer Maxina, visited the Home and tied Friendship Bands to the children.The children were engaged with their 1^st term exam and are doing pretty well in their studies too. Our Managers are monitoring their progress and always available to assist them in difficulties. School for the tiny tots keeps them engaged in painting, drawing, games and dances and other fun activities.

They, in the Home are being taught at Home to recognize alphabets, numbers, colours, shapes and parts of the body. They are also being taught Nursery rhymes. Activities and games were conducted indoors due to the wet weather. Read the rest of this entry »

“Various activities at Shanti Niketan School kept the staff and children engaged during the entire Month of August.”

The month of August has been a month of intense activities and the school witnessed interesting events. Although it was raining heavily and wet, the staff of the school managed to conduct all the programmes as planned for the month. Almost all the children were involved in the activities and it is a joy to see the excitement and the interest generated from simple activities among the children. Various competitions marked the beginning of the month and Students were busy preparing one after the other; a time when they were getting prepared for short vacations too!

An Elocution competition was organised and the performance was based on the criteria of the speaker’s enthusiasm, delivery, strategies, informative and logical content and body language. Jupiter house was the overall winner with 75 points followed by Neptune house with 70 points and Saturn with 60 points. Mars house was placed fourth with 50 points.

The Children were also engaged in creative activities for an “Egg-Shell display” competition. Students from each class worked hard to collect Egg shells and with respective class teacher’s assistance, the students prepared various items on display, depicting the theme “We are all in this together”.

The ultimate winners were Grade VI and Grade I class. Grade VI won the prize in the senior category for displaying the theme of unity, with coloured eggshells placed on the handcrafted map of India. Grade I won the prize in the lower section for beautifully decorating giant grapes out of the coloured eggshells. Respective class students were given merit points and chocolates, for their creativity. The children enjoy this activity tremendously. Read the rest of this entry »