Provide a Safe Haven for Indian Children

                                                                        Ashraya Quarterly Report 

NGO Ashraya was a pioneer in starting mobile crèches for the construction and migrant workers children in 1983.

With the changing dynamics of the migrant labour, these crèches were run as community crèches to benefit underprivileged children in the community. These crèches provide a safe and stimulating environment for preschool children in the age group of 2 ½ years to 5 years of age. Nutrition is an important part of the crèche services provided to children.

In the month of June new admissions are taken and by July the children have adjusted well to being away from their mothers and home.

The routine of oral learning, recognition, activities, craft, games and outdoor activity has begun and all the children are actively taking part

This year a total of 182 children are being benefited by the crèche services.

This table gives you a quick look at the numbers attending each crèche.

Creches                  Total   Boys   Girls
Avalahalli                   38    17       21
Banaswadi                 40    15       25
Indiranagar                49    28       21
Nelamangala             20    13         7
Ramagondanahalli    35    17       18

August:- Due to inclement weather -rain and chill, a number of children have been unwell with chicken Pox and Viral Fever. The parents were sensitized about the infectious disease and were informed to take precautions as well as good care of the children.

The pediatrician has been visiting regularly and advising the parents.

PTM:-The first ‘Parent-Teacher ‘ meeting for the current session was held in all the crèches. The importance of hygiene in dressing, bathing, keeping nails clean, etc was explained to the parents. The importance of sending and picking up the children on time was emphasized. The parents gave positive feedback that they see a lot of improvement in the children within 2 months

Activities:-

The country’s Independence Day is celebrated on the 15^th of August every year. The crèche children were shown a map of the country and small flags distributed to all. A special chicken lunch was prepared and served to all the staff and children.

Raksha Bandan is a festival where sisters tie a sacred thread on the brother's wrist seeking their lifelong protection. The children celebrated by tying Rakhi to their friends.

The crèche environment sets the foundation for a stimulating and healthy environment for the children who are deprived of the basic necessities for healthy growth.

Your support goes a long way in enabling us to provide these services to children. THANK YOU ALL.

                                           Quarterly Report  from April to June 2019

Ashraya ‘s daycare center’s around the city of Bangalore in Karnataka has provided crèche and preschool services to over 200 children in the age group of 2 ½ to 5 years of age during the year 2018-2019.

The parents of these children are semi-literate and mostly daily wage earners who cannot afford to send the children to paying daycare.

The children also receive a nutritious lunch every afternoon which includes eggs once a week, fruits and snacks along with a ragi malt drink.

Once the children start attending the crèche the mothers are able to work to earn extra family income and also the elder siblings continue their schooling without disruptions.

The quarter starting April 2019 is the end of the year for the children as the new batch of children join the crèche in June 2019.

This June 150 children will join the formal school.

This quarter parent-teacher meetings were held where the parents were counseled on the importance of sending the children to school, maintaining hygiene and good nutrition and also information on the available govt. programs to benefit them were given.

Volunteers planned numerous activities for the children – storytelling, teaching them new songs, craft with paper and waste material, indoor games, etc. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in all the activities.

Ashraya’s admin and crèche staff -teachers and helpers went on a three day trip to Mysore and Coorg. They visited the Mysore Palace, Brindavan Garden's (Musical fountain Light Show), St. Philomena's Church, The Golden Temple in Byalkuppe, Nisargadama and Thalacauvery (the source of the river Kaveri) in Coorg. The staff used the opportunity to bond and had a great time.

The new academic/crèche year will start in June 2019 with new admissions in each of the crèches and the present batch of children would have ‘graduated’ to formal school.

Thank you all for the generous support.

The crèches usher in the New Year with the Annual New party hosted by Ashraya at their head office; this year it was held on Saturday, January 5^th 2019.

The children from all the crèches arrived by 10.30 am in their best clothes along with the staff , a bus was arranged to pick them all up . Along with 160 children and the staff from each crèche , numerous volunteers, committee members and well wishers also joined the party. 

Ms. Dechu Banerjee, Secretary, Ashraya welcomed all the children, staff and guests She introduced the Chief Guest Ms. Naina Malika Williams –Ashraya Board Member and welcomed her with a bouquet. Naina Williams coordinated the fund raising efforts to get donors to support the New Year’s Event 

The Magic show was the first item on the program. The children were very excited and     the magician kept them engaged by making them part of the act. 

A short variety entertainment program was prepared by the children from each crèche. It took them a month of practice to perform perfectly. Props were prepared by the teachers and music was also used to enhance the effect .The items included fancy dress, folk songs, rhymes and group dances. 

An annual feature is the Jumporee sponsored by Sudha S and this year also it brought a lot of joy.

The special lunch which was sponsored by Ms. Shanthi Chacko the President of Ashraya ; the menu included vegetable rice with raita and potato bonda- it was catered from a local caterer The lunch was relished by one and all. 

New Year gifts were handed over to each crèche teacher by Ms. Mallika Williams, Ms. Dechu Banerjee and Ms. Shanthi Chacko. The teachers will distribute the gifts and sweets to the children once they reach their respective crèches. 

All the children accompanied by their teachers left for the individual crèches after lunch.

The New year party was well attended.   The children, staff, volunteers, committee members and guests enjoyed watching the tiny tots perform and had an enjoyable day.

 On January 11, 2019 we had the New Year party in TARA Women’s Centre Crèche. The teacher organized a fancy dress competition, a group folk song and dance item . The children wore a variety of costumes- Freedom Fighters, mythological characters, lawyers, doctors, flower seller, etc. Each child came up to the stage and spoke a few lines on the character they were playing. The teacher helped them prepare for this The parents were excited to see their children perform After the programme the children and the parents were given snacks and the children got New Year gifts which was distributed by Ms. Shanthi Chacko. 

The New Year parties ushered in the New Year 2019 on a cheerful note. 

March is also the end of the Academic year and many children will leave the crèches to join formal school.

Routine doctor’s visits and parent teacher meetings were held.

The parents are very happy with how well their children have progressed from the time of admission . They expressed their satisfaction and appreciation to the staff and management.

                                                             Quarter October to December 2018

This quarter is a joyous one with numerous festivals for the children to enjoy- Dussehra and Diwali were celebrated with new clothes, sweets, fireworks and family time. By the end of the quarter it will be time for Christmas and New Year.

 The crèche staff and children are busy preparing for the annual New Year Party. The children from each crèche are practicing song, dance and skit items and each will put their best foot forward. 

All plans are being made to make this day special for all the children. They will all come to the Ashraya head office for a fun filled day. 

Activity

The activitiesas planned in their schedules are being followed- the children have made great progress in learning and recognizing the letters of the alphabet and numbers. Some of the younger children have started to write the letters as well.

The older children have begun writing   in note books with pencils.     

Apart from letters and numbers the children also learn about different types of animals, shapes, vegetable and fruits. Rhymes and songs are an ongoing activity.

 Every year 2^nd October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The children learn about Gandhiji’s patriotism through simple stories which the teachers tell them.   

Diwali was celebrated by all the children in their homes and they returned to share their Diwali stories. The children had holidays for the festival. 

Every year November 14^th is celebrated as Children’s Day. This is celebrated in memory Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru aka Chacha (Uncle) Nehru as it is his birthday. He was very fond of children; he was also the first Prime Minister of India. 

He loved children and his vision was that all childrenshould get a good education and be entitled to live in a safe environment. The main purpose of this day is to encourage the welfare of children all over the country.

 The teachers planned for fun games, made special lunch and also distributed sweets to the children. 

During this month (December) the children will have fun planning and practicing for the New Year party and also continue with the regular activities.

 Doctor’s Visit 

The doctor has been visiting the creches regularly.

Diwali Party

Every year Ashraya celebrates Diwali party with all the creche staff. Everyone comes dressed beautifully they sing, dance  and have lot of fun. Special lunch is ordered for all the staff and also Diwali bonus is given them.

Parent Teacher Meeting :-

This quarter the Parent Teacher meeting focused on guiding the parents on how to give their children a balanced and nutritious diet at home. Also how to substitute snacks like chips chocolates etc with healthy options was discussed. 

The parents were encouraged to spend quality time with the children instead of allowing them to watch too much TV etc. 

Greetings:

The year is coming to an end- we take this opportunity to thank all the donors for the generous support and wish all of them a very happy festive season- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Seasons greetings and best wishes for the New Year to all the Global Giving staff and volunteers who are the guiding force behind the spirit of giving.

                                                    Quarterly for  July to September 2018 

The new academic year started in June 2018 with a mix of old and new students. The session included games and play activities to help the new children, (all in the age group of 2 ½ -3 years of age ) to settle in as this is the first time they were leaving their parents ad venturing into play group.

The highlights of this quarter are –

The crèche located at Siddapura which is sponsored by a corporate moved in to a new premises which was built by the corporate. Currently there are 26 children here.

Indian Independence day was celebrated on August 15^th by all the crèches. The children were all served a special lunch on the occasion.

The number of volunteers has increased this quarter- yoga is being taught to the tiny tots along with play activities and creative, fun, craft activities.

Bridgin is a group of professionals who have joined to volunteer at different charities. Their volunteers have been active and committed to the crèches for a long time.

Health check ups and parent teacher meetings have also been held and all the parents have given positive feedback on the staff and services provided at the crèche.

A total no of 224 children attend the crèches this year -

Shivajinagar – Total 48    (boys 23 & girls 25)

Banaswadi – Total 38 (boys & 20 girls 18)

Avalahalli- Total 38 (boys23 & girls 15)

Siddapura- Total 26 ( boys 11 & girls 15)

Indiranagar-Total 44 ( boys 27 & girls 17)

Nelamangala-Total 30 ( boys 19 & girls11)