By Benny Augustine | Project Manager
An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin
Dear Donors,
Greetings from BREADS Bangalore!
We are happy to present an update for January to June 2020. The 144 poor girl children have been continuing their studies with help from our generous donors through GlobalGiving platform. In March 2020, all the children were busy preparing for their final assessments (final examination) in school. All the children are trying hard to pass the assessments, mostly online this time, to be promoted to higher classes in the new academic year. Many Don Bosco Care Centres have provided guided classes, tuition classes and special coaching for those attending the examinations, especially for those appearing for class X examinations.
The COVID 19 pandemic has severely affected Karnataka also, forcing schools to close and thereby discontinuing the studies of the children. The children studying in the lower classes (up to class IX) could complete their exams before March 2020 itself. But the students appearing for class X final examinations could not complete all their exams due to the sudden lock down announced by Government of India. Having finished a few examinations, the children are now waiting for the announcement from the government to complete their exams. They hope that the remaining exams will be held in July.
From the end of March to June 2020, there has been a strict lockdown in all of India to prevent the spreading of COVID 19. In June there were some relaxations but schools have not reopened and children are not allowed to come out from their homes. We have sent some of our sponsored children to their homes and others are still staying at Don Bosco Centres (orphans, those children who cannot be reinstated with their families, etc.).
BREADS in association with Don Bosco Youth Services Karnataka had conducted online outreach services for children in lockdown. We had conducted online counselling to help children who were in mental stress, to deal with the new life situation. Infotainment activities such as the Lockdown Buzzer- a quiz competition with prizes, Corona Beats- a COVID 19 prevention-themed choreography competition aimed at bringing children together in enjoyable activities. These creative initiatives helped the children cope with the stress triggered by fear, uncertainty, abrupt changes in life situations, social distancing, lack of recreation and socialisation during the lockdown period.
Now all the local Don Bosco institutions are exploring options and possibilities to start online classes for our children to engage with them and continue their education.
The children who are getting education support from GlobalGiving have shared that they enjoyed one more year of school life, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. As usual BREADS organised various programmes to enhance their life coping skills, nurture the values of team spirit and improve their interpersonal relationships.
Last year we rescued many children from child labour situations and admitted them to our rehabilitation centres. The rescued children have undergone one year remedial education (bridge course). We hope to readmit these children in the next school academic year (June 2020) and extend educational support to these children also. They will take the place of those children who complete their class X examinations.
All the children are regularly followed up by the Don Bosco and BREADS staff to ensure their continuity in schools and to improve their education standards. Those children outside the residential centres were instructed to join the evening tuition classes started in their villages by BREADS and use the facility to improve their education standards and complete school assignments with the help of mentors.
The children and BREADS along with the local Don Bosco Centres are grateful to all our Donors and GlobalGiving for their support and guidance. The support has helped around 144 children to complete one more year’s education and excel in their life. We hope that this continued support will help more vulnerable children who are denied their right to education.
Thank you very much!
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