'Holistic Development'for 300 Poor Kids in India

Dear donors and supporters,

Greetings from IDEA! 

First week of June means reopening of schools and of course, arrival of Monsoon in India!

School kit distribution

In 2^nd week of June, 450 students received a school kit through IDEA. Children are so excited to get to use new bags, notebooks,uniform or civil dress, shoes and study material.

As mentioned, schools and rains both commence together in India. Unfortunately this year, monsoon did not turn up on time and water shortage became a burning issue here. Therefore, IDEA decided to participate in the ‘World Environment Day’ by creating awareness on environment issues.

Poster making

As part of that program a poster competition was conducted for the children to make them think about their contribution towards healthy environment and act wisely in daily life. 20 children participated in this activity and the themes for making posters were noise pollution, global warming, air pollution, save the earth and save the tree.

Children divided themselves in 5 groups, made amazing posters and presented the theme they had selected. They discussed various ways of minimizing environment pollution and promised to make an effort for environment friendly lifestyle. They also promised to be watchful and create awareness in their family and neighborhood.

Save water campaign by children

As part of the environmental activities, a street play was performed in the community by children themselves. It was organized purposely on a famous pilgrimage day called ‘Aashadhi Ekadashi’. This 800 year old tradition breaks the barriers of caste, creed, rich and poor. Our children in learning center decided to replicate that pilgrimage through various activities. It was a great opportunity to raise consciousness about a critical issue of use of water. So they organized a campaign on ‘Save Water’ in their community. In most of the slums, there is a common tap through which people fetch water. Having an access to adequate water becomes very difficult due to long queue, irregularity, wastage and shortage of water. Students in IDEA learning center presented local issues relating to tap water with a clear message- ‘Save Water’. All of them were draped in traditional attire and participated in a procession within their community. The procession started from IDEA learning center and passed through the community with an appeal ‘Save Water’ for the community residents. Street play was enacted while the procession took a break. The campaign ended with children performing traditional folk dance called ‘Fugdi’ in front of IDEA learning center. Cheers to all those kids. What an IDEA to combine devotion to find solution!

Thank you donors for reading this. It was only because of your support we have reached here. We look forward to your continued support. 

Dear friends ,

Greetings from IDEA !

We are here again with  some of the activities held under the project during the last three months. 

General Health check up  and Anemia detection  

A general health check up for all children and Hemoglobin (HB) testing to identify anemia among adolescent girls were done in March 2014. This was done in collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)- a Government programme  and a Hospital. It was an eye opener for us to know that 72% girls who were examined were detected with anemia ; another 22% were with borderline anemia and only 6% girls were not anemic . We provided them with Iron and folic acid tablets and with multivitamin syrup as prescribed by Doctor.

IDEA has intervened at the right time and is providing medical help and nutritional guidance for the long term effect. An awareness session on anemia and nutrition was held on 18^th April 2014. The session included discussion on eating habits, causes and symptoms of anemia and how to overcome it by following a balanced diet chart. A iron rich recipes were taught the adolescent girls and a few parents . A wise counseling of incorporating atleast three colored foods daily in the meal was given.    

Children’s Event ( BALMELAVA)  with a difference!

On26thApril, Saturday 2014 around 150 children from 7 study centres all over Pune gathered at   a school  for the annual Balmelava . This time it was planned in a very careful manner so that each child get an opportunity to take part based on his or her talent , be it a dance , drawing , a skit , role of a teacher , compeering skill etc . They , under the guidance of  volunteers and the centre teachers started the preparation for the Balmelava  immediately after their annual school exam. Children from each center selected an Indian state of their choice ; collected information  on the  uniqueness of these states , agriculture, occupation, famous places, personalities , culture and tradition of that particular state and made a presentation  through Skits , exhibition, dance  & songs of the state  . Each team worked hard to be the Best!   Priti one of our bright sponsored child did an excellent compeering!!!

After lunch, the children enjoyed a puppet show  & a session on creative  drawing .

Childhood returned to Asha  (Name changed)

Asha is attending the study centre of IDEA since last five years when she was in 1st Std. She was a weak, shy and quiet girl who lost her father at that time. Her performance was below average in studies. She was not interested in studies and was slow in writing. The centre teacher gave individual attention to her to cope with the studies. Gradually Asha  started showing some improvement. But it was noticed by the teacher and the social worker that her mother was gender biased. She was favouring her son, Bhushan who is clever boy. She often used to praise him and criticized Asha on her poor academic performance . She started taking Asha with her to help her in her work as a maid servant , telling “ what is the use of spending money on educating her if she  is not good in studies “ . Her this attitude further worsened her performance in studies resulting in losing her interest in studies further. 

The issue was discussed with her mother by our Social Workers . She was counseled and parenting tips were given to her while dealing with Asha. She cooperated with the social worker. Now she does not take Asha along with her to work & does not criticize her ; instead started motivating her.  Guidance & counseling efforts by teacher and the Social Worker to the mother and the mothers’ change of attitude towards Asha brought a remarkable change in her. She started participating in centre activities. Asha very confidently presented science experiment in the exhibition organized at her centre on National Science Day. Her interest & performance in studies have also increased . 

This is an example where timely counseling can bring a huge difference in transforming the life of a child.

We thank Global Giving & the donors for making funds available for us to conduct the activities under the project .