GlobalGiving.org: Quality Care for 400 Destitute children in India

I hope to see her running one day!!

Lucy Mathews — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:26:58 GMT

Laxmi's first step made her so happy....

Laxmi (name changed) was abandoned by her birth parents when she was just a year old. She was found by the Police and admitted to the SASOON Government Hospital in Pune. Mentally challenged, Laxmi was moved to an institute in Pune. The institute’s efforts to help her develop, unfortunately did not work; she had multiple disabilities. Today Laxmi is 10 yrs. old. She can use her hands to some extent but she has never walked! She understands Marathi but cannot speak.

By a High Court Order, Laxmi was recently transferred to the State home for girls run by State government. Earlier a residential arrangement for adolescent girls, the facility was recently, converted into a Home for Special Needs’ Children. In terms of special arrangements that such children require, the Home has none! CSA has helped the Home in many ways in terms of enhanced facilities as also, training and awareness programmes for Childcare and Social Workers. In one such initiative having provided surgical equipments like wheel chairs and walkers, we tried helping those kids who could not walk. Laxmi was one of those children.

When the walker was placed before her, Laxmi was very confused and nervous. Soon however, she stood, balanced herself and actually took her very first step! The joy on her face (that beautiful broad smile) had to be experienced; it gave tons of happiness to my heart! I am used to seeing her sitting in a corner with a sad and disturbed expression. This is the first time I saw her smiling. I hope this is her first step towards HOPE! I will watch her closely and always help her all the way. Her success will be my achievement!

Surgical Equipments were provided by CSA

Games were provided to enhance their intelligence

Workshop for child care workers was held by CSA

Links:

csa video

Lotus Grow in Murky Water

Lucy Mathews — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:27:04 GMT

Happy to Nurture These Lotus Flowers

Introduction

The Observation Home for boys in Pune, Maharashtra, has approximately 200 destitute children in the age group of 7-17 years. Many of them are orphans; some have a single parent; others are children whose parents have been convicted and are serving jail terms; a few are those who themselves have been booked for juvenile delinquicy. All of them come from a poor economic background.

The home has an in-campus school that provides education up to the 7th grade. Thereafter, the boys are transferred to other institutes. Since last 3 years however, at the initiative of the Management of the home, some of the talented children are being retained in the Home; they are admitted to the 8th, 9th and 10th grades in nearby schools. The management felt that there was an opportunity to nurture some very talented children and help them in their development.

CSA's Role

CSA's objective being the optimisation of rehabilitation outcomes for institutionalised children, the decision of the Home to retain some talented children was encouraged. CSA provides the educational support to these older kids. CSA started a coaching class to help the kids with their syllabus. In addition, CSA introduced vocational training for the children who are conflict with Law and are out of the mainstream of education. CSA started a tailoring unit and dance classes, so that the children acquire skills that could perhaps, offer employment opportunities to the children when they reach adulthood. .

CSA also, aims at ensuring that the children are happy and are exposed to some of the small joys of life that are considered normal. Accordingly, CSA planned activities such as summer camp, festival celebrations, Awareness programs, Hobby classes, children’s day celebration, games, competitions etc.

Achievements

A significant achievement is that, as compared to 1 and 2 students respectively, who were able to complete their schooling by passing the 10th grade in earlier years, in the year 2010, 9 children cleared the 10^th standard exams; one of them, Umesh Lawande scored 80% marks and is now pursuing a Diploma programme in Engineering.

Going Forward

CSA’s aid to help the upcoming higher education students to help themselves will continue, along with the joyful events to spread happiness in the life of this deprived kids. We are aiming at individauls who can be nurtured into becoming independent individuals as adults.

Links:

‘Fruit-of-the season’ celebration

Lucy Mathews — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:37:04 GMT

Girls from Orphanage cutting & serving watermelon

April-May are the summer vacation months in India-that time of the year, when all children are expected to relax, have fun and generally enjoy themselves. Those that live in hostels rush home for the vacation. Institutionalized children in Government Observation Homes and Orphanages are different; not all of them have a home to go to! And so they stay back waiting for each dreary day and the vacations to end.

We at CSA attempt to bring a little cheer into their lives by organizing fun events in their respective institutions. Aware that most of those children miss out on the basic joys of life like savoring the fruit of the season, we used “seasonal fruit’ as the theme for our summer events. We organised ‘water melon get together’ at 4 orphanages covering approximately 250 children in Pune and Orissa.

In addition to enjoying the fruit, the celebrations included dance and merriment, nurturing hobbies such as mask-making with paper dishes, by-lane cricket and health sessions!

Girls made facemask and then enjoyed juicy fruit

Boys played cricket match to enjoy their vacation

Refreshment with the fruit of the season

Links:

CSA news letters

Vocational Training for girls from Destitute Home

Lucy Mathews — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:34:46 GMT

Learning tailoring skills for future betterment

Observation Home for girls is the Destitute Home from Pune, Maharashtra, India which shelters around 100 girls from different background. Poverty stricken parents admit there wards in this institute for education. Apart from this single parent’s children, total orphans, girls with conflict with law or the girls found from immoral traffic are also taken care of. The Government receives grant from State Government which is very in sufficient. Therefore they are depended upon the external donations. CSA has been the most important helping hand for this organization.

While working with this destitute home CSA noticed that some of the elder girls are not much interested in education. There is nothing to do for these girls for whole day. They are restricted to go outside the campus for security purpose. Even the school in premises is only up to 7^th standard. So CSA took initiative to start with the Tailoring unit for 20 girls. This was a 6 monthly course which helped girls learn the basics to the Full length dresses. Girls enjoyed their time learning new skills. Their creativity was also encouraged as they started thinking of new and innovative ideas. During Diwali Festival these girls came up with challenge of saying that if they are provided with the cloth they are ready to stitch new festival dress to all the inmates. Accordingly CSA provided the cloth for the girls to stitch new dress to all the girls residing in the organization. They successfully completed the task and all the girls wore new cloths on the day of Diwali. They were very happy as usually they get only the old and used clothes received from the donors. This skill will certainly help them becoming self reliant once they are out of this organization.

The sewing machine repairs, raw material, instructor for tailoring etc. are provided by CSA. Recently all the inmates are awarded with the certificate issued from the Human Resource Ministry from state of Maharashtra. After getting good response from the 1^st batch, we have started with second batch of another 15 girls for the same 6 monthly course.

CSA would like to Thank You for enabling us to help the destitute girls to help themselves.

Enjoying the Creativity

Certificates imparted for compliting the course

Links:

In a moment of dance

Jay Marathe — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:23:05 GMT

The following postcard was written by Jay Marathe who visited CSA's project. Read more postcards from the field on GlobalGiving's In the Field page.

There are times when all of life seems to be contained within a single moment. I visited a home for ‘destitute’ girls in Pune, which is one of the projects that CSA funds.

Having met the principal we entered the hall to speak to some of the residents – girls who are in conflict with the law, who have been abandoned by their parents, or who have been found operating as minors in a red light district.

Upon entering the hall we were asked to address the girls, who were in a happy hubbub of post-school activity. No sooner had we mentioned the forthcoming Republic Day parade they had launched spontaneously into a series of choreographed cultural folk dances, insisting that we stay for just one more song and then just one more song until we were fully absorbed, enthralled in the energy and spirit of the moment.

It was an environment which could have been full of troubled souls, but instead it was a community of happy freedom, where girls re-enforced their own cleanliness and discipline, where issues and problems were openly discussed with the staff and the air was sweet with evident kindness and care. An environment that reminds us that those in the most difficult situations often demonstrate most graciously the power and joy of community.

I was impressed with the CSA representative who was familiar with the staff and residents and keen to ensure they were supporting the home where required.

Wish you were here !

JAY

Radha & Aarti -have found a Home

T.E.Rassull — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:18:17 GMT

Radha--post surgery

Aarti and Radha were relinquished by their parents when they were just 4 yrs and 2 yrs old respectively. Radha was born with Congenital Talipes Equino Varrus- a physical deformity in one of her legs. She was unable to walk. There were prospective adoptive parents who wanted to adopt Aarti , but not Radha. The Adoption guidelines of the “Central Adoption and Resource Authority” regulates that siblings are not to be separated and must be placed in a single adoptive family. Thus the siblings remained un-adopted resigned to life in an orphanage.

CSA referred Radha to Dr.Prakash Chavan an Orthopedic surgeon in Nanded, who suggested corrective surgery. Sponsored by CSA, Radha was operated on 26^th January, 2010. Within a couple of months Radha started walking. She is now a normal kid and as playful and mischievous.

The siblings Aarti and Radha were adopted by a family in Pune,India. The adoptive family already have 3 sons-one biological and two adopted. Aarti and Radha have adapted themselves completely to their new family. Radha is already a darling to her elder brothers

Thank you all for helping us in our dream of "A Family for Every Child"

Radha with Aarti

Story of Sujit

T.E.Rassull — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:25:36 GMT

Sujit

Sujit was only 3 yrs. old when his father died. His memory fails whenever he tries to think about his father as he does not have any remembrances of him. After his father’s demise, his mother worked hard as a hospital maid to support three children -Sujit and his 2 sisters. But, when he was 12 yrs old, his mother too passed away. In the meantime, his elder sister got married, she was in a difficult position supporting her two young siblings with the meager earning of her husband . For 2 yrs. she struggled against all odds and somehow managed. But she gave up eventually as it was impossible for her to support the growing needs of her brother and sister. So she admitted her sister in a Girls orphanage and Sujit in an Observation Home.

The Observation Home environment was alien to him. He was so shattered with the emotional trauma of losses that he faced at such a young kid, that he stopped interacting with others. He even refused to participate in any activity.

CSA runs a coaching class to help 8th, 9th and 10th standard students with their studies, in the Observation Home premise.CSA representative brought Sujit into the 8th standard coaching class. He gradually started performing well in the academics and eventually passed his 10th standard exam with a first class (61%) of marks. He completed course of Foundry Man with (68%). Moreover, he also started mingling with the peers who he was once aloof of. CSA sponsored him for all the educational expenses throughout.

Today 19 yr. old Sujit is working with a company named Graves and is earning 3000/- per month. He will be going back to stay with his sister and her family after a month (once he completes the MSCIT , a computer course which is again supported by CSA). He is practicing hard whatever is taught to him in the computer classes at the computer unit set up by CSA and determined to clear the exam with flying colors. This skill will help him to put his career in a fast track.

Sujit is a proud financially independent young man, ready to explore the world out side ,which is just a month away. He definitely earned every bit of it and thank you all for supporting him in changing the course of his destiny.

Bags full of Joy

T.E.Rassull — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:14:30 GMT

A few kids with the education materials

Schools in India reopened,couple of months back, after a long annual break.Children were happy as they would be joining the new classes,would meet new friends and also show their new school accessories.But,these orphan children from Jeevan Shanti Niketan,like million others, did not share the same joy.As they would be wearing the same old school uniforms,carrying the books either in their tiny hands or in a ploythene wrapper.This has been the way,as they are growing up.They would agian going to standout from the rest of the peers ,those having "school bags".

From the donation that we received from you,we have arranged school bags(including geometry box,tiffin box,notebooks,umbrella,water bottle etc.).It was a day they felt like any other children and those bags brought so much joy to them.

Thank you.Keep Helping us in Helping them.

The accessories

Sanjana

T.E.Rassull — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:17:08 GMT

Sanjana on her Tri-Cycle

Sanjana ,a 4 year old girl, was relinquished by her relatives when she was very young. The child was taken to Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for further procedures. The adoption agency gave enough time for the relatives of the baby to come back to claim the baby but nobody turned up. The agency completed all the required paper work and CWC has declared her legally free for adoption. Sanjana, a very pretty girl waits for her to be picked up by a willing family. BUT,till then, we have to ensure a “Family Like Care” to her. Shree Ganesh Shishu Greh is a Govt. recognized adoption agency located in Latur ( in Rural Maharashtra,India), partly supported by the Women and Child Development Department of Central Govt. The agency though gets grants, many often not before the end of the year, for the maintenance of the children. The grant is also inadequate to meet the continuous medical, nutritional and other requirements of a growing child at the most crucial development stage of his/her life. This in many cases results in malnourished kids, languishing in the agency for a longer period, as they are not picked up by suitable adoptive parents.

CSA, a pioneer in starting the Rural trend on Adoption in India, supports such Rural agencies in updating the facilities and in improving the child care standards. A trained Childcare worker supervises and guides the agency staff, especially the Aayas, apart from monitoring the proper use of CSA support to the agencies. She is also involved in organizing medical check –up and follow-up of children and taking educational activities for them. Sanjana is receiving all the above benefits, with your generous support.With the improvement in the health and nutritional status, she has turned into a very healthy and happy kid.

We, on behalf of Sanjana and the adoption agency, express our sincere thanks and appreciate you for giving a better life to the baby. Please spread the word for ensuring “A Family for Every Child”.

"A Box of Joy"

T.E.Rassull — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:15:02 GMT

Akash is a very good artist.

"How much does a Box of Color Pencil cost?".It cost a lot.As it can buy an orphaned/destitute kid in Rural India -a wonderful time to tread her/his imagination.an escapade to a wonderland where (s)he can create something,a joyride to just become and behave like a children.The same we witnessed when we orgaised a "day of fun" through drawing /painting at the following 3 locations.

(1)Jeevan Shanti Niketan Orphanage: It is located at Ganesh chowk, Buva pada,Ambernath (W) at Maharashtra.Rev.Yohannan Poulos and his family is taking care of 12 orphans, some of them are single parent. They receive funds from local donation which just meet their basic requirements.CSA provide ongoing support to this Orphanage, A tatto making session was organised on 24th April,2010. (2)Girls Observation Home, Nanapeth: The observation home for girls located at Nana Peth, Pune(Maharashtra) is run by an NGO – District Probation and After Care Association. Though it receives a grant from the state government @ of Rs. 635/- per child per month, this amount is very insufficient to meet the medical, educational and maintenance expenses of the children, without public donation. Therefore CSA decided to help this institute to tackle with the insufficient grant. There are about 80 girls who are residing there. CSA organized a Watermelon distribution and Drawing engagement on 21 April 2010.25 girls are participated and glued to their drawing paper for hours.

(3)SOFOSH:-

SOFOSH is a registered adoption agency set up under the aegis of the Sassoon Hospital in Pune, Maharashtra and has been operational for several years. Rated (publicly) as one of the well-managed and ethical agencies, SOFOSH has been placing children in adoption both in India and abroad for several years.

SOFOSH set up a special facility for special-needs children called TARA. The 100-seat facility was built for accommodating special-neds children both, from SOFOSH as also, others who approach TARA directly.

At present, all 29 children in TARA are SOFOSH children. Many of the children are severely impacted (cerebral palsy/mentally challenged) and are not mobile. Those that can move around, were treated by CSA to an evening of fun on 15th May,2010. They were taken to a nearby park and treated to a snacks and fun-filled evening. They drew /painted enthusiastically

These are few gimpses of a particular kind of acticity (children engagement) among myriad of our ongoing support(Infrastructure,Nutrition,Education,Training to Childcare workers etc.) to these Rural Agencies/Orphanages/Destitute Homes which making sustainable differeneces to the lives of the kids( staying at present and to them who will come in future) by improving childcare standards.

Thank you ALL !!

Kris -totally engossed

Watta time these girls had!

Surekha-her imagination of a HOME on the paper :(

Tahima Sheikh -playing with colors

Snehal's joy knew no limit :)

My own feelings....

T.E,Rassull — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:52:03 GMT

Mother's Daughter..

Dear Donors, Thank you for your continued support. We have tried a different way of reporting our activities this time. The following is the story by single adoptive mother Nalini, in her own words who CSA supported in her process. Moreover , please remember that on 16 March 2010, GlobalGiving will be matching all donations made to this project on www.globalgiving.org by 30% (up to $1,000 per person. Please do donate and spread the word for CSA to contribute on that day. Here goes the true tale:- My own feeling ….. “You are single and want to adopt a child! That is impossible”, said my parents. My mother immediately went to her room, locked up and started crying. I also saw tears in my sister’s eyes. They wanted me to get married and have my own biological child like my two siblings. My dreams of adopting were shattered. My greatest challenge was in getting the approval of someone who would give the undertaking for the child I was to adopt.My friend Mala willingly agreed to give the undertaking for the child I was to adopt. This turned out to be a giant leap. I filed my papers for Adoption on September 11th 2009. My social worker Vanita fixed the home study on 24th September. It was a much tensed period as my parents were still against it. After my home study, there were greater challenges ahead. I approached many Adoption homes in Bangalore to know that there was a long waiting list and the preference was given to couples without children. I being unmarried and single was also not in my favour. Then my friend Anita came to my rescue. She gave me the contact number of Mrs. Usha Pillai of CSA. I had a telephonic conversation with her and she seemed very positive. She forwarded my details to two of her coordinators- Lucy Mathew and Pallavi. On November 11th I received a mail from Lucy Mathew informing me that there is a child of my requirement at Latur, Sishu Mandir. I spoke to Mrs. Gaikwad at Sishu Mandir and decided that the child Nisha located for me was my child. I did not ask for any snap of the child but went by Mrs.Lucy’s words because I knew she was trustworthy. She told me that the child was medium complexion and healthy. That was enough. I started working towards visiting and getting the baby destined for me in the same visit. My friend Vidya accompanied me to Latur. So, the date of the visit and getting the baby was finalized to 8th December. It seemed that God had finally heard my prayers! One week before I was to leave for Latur, my parents changed their mind and gave me full support. My father even accompanied me to the lawyer and the Police commissioner’s office to get all the documents ready for adoption. His support was great and gave me so much of strength. I was now set with all the documents and was mentally prepared to bring home my child. My first meeting with Nisha was to be on 10th December. As the day approached, I was very nervous about it. Every child I saw on the way, made me wonder if my child would be like this. As I was waiting impatiently for her, Nisha was brought to me. She wore a red frock which was too long for her. She was so different from all the children I had ever imagined. She was very weak, with scanty brown hair and looked under nourished. To add to this, her hair was well oiled and combed into a side partition and her face was powered (extra). She was crying when they got her out. I did not feel like carrying her and I almost asked God why has he sent this child to me? I was angry and upset and I felt like crying. I controlled all my emotions. Vidya carried Nisha first and as she knew marathi she started the conversation with her. I was still wondering if I should carry her or not. Finally, Vidya asked me to carry her and I did it reluctantly and realized that she was so light. We spent around one and a half hours with her. During this time I saw her more closely and realized she had long black eyelashes though her hair was brown. I presumed that this could be due to malnourishment. She was a normal and active child. But as every one had warned me I wanted to subject her to a thorough medical checkup. The medical report turned out to be good except that she was malnourished. I decided to adopt Nisha. I submitted all the papers to the court for adoption and on the next day, 12th December we had a court hearing which went off well and by evening she was my child. My next step was to prepare my family members for accepting Nisha- I was so worried about how my parents would accept her as I myself had taken some time for this. I was surprised when they accepted her readily like any of their other grandchildren. Now Nisha has become Amodhini – one who gives happiness. She wants to be called Amo and not Nisha or Amodha or Amodhini. She goes to a play home close to my house. Both my parents have many things to tell about her everyday when I reach home from work. Now she is my dad’s pet. He drops her to school and picks her up every day. Amodhini has really brought happiness to our house. Hope you have overwhelmed by this heart warming story as much as we have in CSA. Please keep contributing to our cause so that we can keep bringing to you many more such stories by addressing Child Right through Child Adoption and Orphan care. With Thanks and Regards, Rassull CSA

Avantika-the 1st flower to blossom in the season

T.E.Rassull — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:52:04 GMT

avantika

Dear Friends!

with your donations we are making inroads.I would like to share the story of Avantika This little differently abled orphan girl was believed to be a nuisance to the agency and was seen as a threat to other kids. There was a point ,when she was no longer wanted .CSA ,took the challenge and facilitated and sponsored her to a Care Home –Sangopita,which is specialized in supporting differently challenged kids.And the following report shows ,how like a Phoenix she rose back to life. From a lonely and aloof child she now mingles with all the other children and feels herself to be a part of The Sangopita Team.

Progress Chart--- Ms. Avantika Areas On admission As of now Physical Height 3ft 2 3ft. 10 Weight 15 kg. 22 kg. Appearance Normal Personal Hygiene:- unclean insists on clean linen Toilet training:- Uncontrollable bowels Independent. Speech unclear Better clarity Medical Special Conditions Regular fits improvement salivating Under control Crawling on knees Walks Skin problems Reduced

Behavioral Mingling none Started self biting is friendly Co operation with caretakers none Approves Aloofness wander alone Mingles with others Interest in Study none Takes interest

True to the meaning of her Indian name…Avantika…she is the first flower to blossom in the season…and CSA thank you all to be a part in the process of that nurturing.

Thanks and keep on helping us to help the Orphan kids in need

Here is Avantika as today

avantika in a playful mood

Thanks !!

T.E.Rassull — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:43:33 GMT

Dear Friends,

Greetings from CSA!

Thank you so much for your support. As an update from the field we would like to share the following points- • 17 child adoption has been facilitated and 25 cases are in the pipeline. • Childcare workers training conducted 3 times. • 1 no. of renovation of children’s home done. • 6 adoptions agencies are helped with baby clothes and foods. • 32 kids (20 in Maharashtra and 12 in Orissa ) are being supported with their education (tuition and support). • Construction of toilets is done in one childcare home.

With your constant support we are spreading our wings and bringing in more and more beneficiaries under the wing. Please do spread the word across about our project in your network as we are in need of funds.

Thank you again and looking forward to your continued support