Nurture 75 vulnerable children in the RedLightArea

Rohan’s* mother stayed in a brothel and did not want her son to stay in the same building as she wanted him to grow up in a safe and positive space. However, Rohan disliked staying in shelter homes and managed to escape from the various night shelters where he was placed.

When he was bought to AAWC, the staff was informed of his habit of running away from various shelter homes. As a result, AAWC staff paid key attention to him and ensured regular communication with his mother about his developments. The teachers also focused on increasing his concentration level and keeping him engaged in different activities. Gradually, he started showing interest by participating in all sorts of events and did not wish to go back home.

He now meets his family during the weekly visitation hours and goes back home on Sundays. He loves staying at AAWC and does not show any sign of discomfort.

*names changed to protect identity

Organization Updates

Capacity Building:

During the quarter, AAWC Staff attended a Patient’s Rights Workshop conducted by Rangoonwala Foundation and a workshop on CSR and Intellectual Property Rights organized by International Resources for Fairer Trade.

Medical Camp:

A Dental Camp and a General Medical Camp were organized at AAWC in association with Angels Dentist Network for all our beneficiaries. 141 AAWC and other community members benefited from the camps.

Umang Updates

Education:

Umang children attended daily kindergarten classes which included learning and revising the education syllabus along with e-learning sessions, and poems and songs learning. The children also learnt the days of the week through a series of innovative games. They also learnt about table etiquettes, anatomy, wildlife, geometric designs and architecture, through sorting, counting, picture matching, and other innovative exercises during weekly educational sessions with volunteer Marina Dutta.

Recreational Excursions:

The children visited the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum and Hanging Garden with volunteer Marina Dutta. During the Museum visit, the children saw exhibits in the Natural History, Himalayan Art, Sculpture and Miniature Gallery of the Museum and also participated in a treasure hunt contest. They also visited the garden and beaches during the summer.

Art and Craft Activity:

The children participated in various art and craft sessions that involved an innovative printing exercise using their fingers and feathers, making sun and butterflies using clay and leaves as well as a pulse activity wherein they stuck different pulses on a flower sketch. They also made various art works using colors and paints.

Animal-assisted Therapy Session:

We began animal-assisted therapy sessions for the Umang children at our Falkland Road Centre this quarter. The children at both centers eagerly participated in the sessions and learnt about discipline, following instructions, sharing, social skills, counting and English words.

Counseling Sessions:

AAWC’s in-house counselor conducted extensive individual and group counseling sessions with the Umang children focusing on behavior modification, impulse control, empathy, discipline, patience and manners. She also introduced imaginative and creative thinking to the children. The concentration, attention and listening skills of the children were also addressed and strengthened during the counseling sessions.