Message from GMCKS ARHAM CENTRE after visiting Bal Sambal: "Thank you very much for all the hospitality and the precious time you spent with us. My entire group is very happy. Loved the place very much and the way you are working for kids is incredible. Hats off to you. Salute the divinity within you.
Once again thanks on behalf of GMCKS ARHAM CENTRE and its entire team. "
On 22nd January, Prakash, Bhanwar, Ampish and Naresh participated in Ankit-Sakshi Memorial Chess tournament.
On 1st February, Bal Sambal kids participated in Kota Olympiad today for Chess and Table Tennis.
On 10th February, Krishna attended qualifying round for National Level Archery Tournament 2017 in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Construction for 220 meters running track and Garden for playing athletic games under way.
On 3nd March, Krishna came 1st and Jagdish 2nd position in District level Archery tournament at Jagatpura shooting range and proceeded to state level.
16-year old Krishna participated in sub-junior level Archery (Indian round) at National level and also won gold in Taekwondo at district level.
14-year old Vinod won bronze at district level in Judo (40-45 kg.).
Second phase of construction of school building in under way and progressing fast.
Mrs. Sudha Johri visited Bal Sambal campus for the first time, even though she's been contributing to Bal Sambal fo over 5 years.
Bal Sambal children participated in chess competition in Rajasthan Open Chess Tournament organized by Jaipur District Chess Association.
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On 23rd October, Bal Sambal kids took part in a chess tournament and won first round.
On 9th November, Bal Sambal kids participated in Pi School Olympics and won 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in Judo.
On 19th November, Bal Sambal well-whishers donated sweaters to all kids!
On 29th November, Bal Sambal donated blankets to the childen in slum areas.
On 7th December, Blossom group donated Rice, wheat flour and vegetables to a slum area on Bal Sambal's behalf.
On 8th December, Krishna won Bronze medal in 40 meter archery and Copper medal in 30 meter archery and overall in the District level "Khelo India" competition organized by the Indian government.
On 11th December, Sikandar Raja Hasan night in Press Club auditorium appealing support for underprivileged children was a huge success. The chief guest, Chariman of Public Trust Board, SD Sharma ji promised full support to President Farukh Afridi ji and vice-president, Ramesh Ojha ji and thanked the kids for the program.
On 7th January, Ankit Sakashi Memorial Open Chess Tournament was organized by Ankit Sakashi Bhargva Smriti Sasthan and Ambuj, Bhanwar, Naresh and Prakash participated in the tournament.
On 8th January, GMCKS Arham Center gifted kites, stationary and some sport items to the Bal Sambl kids. They spent some time with the kids as well and had lunch in the Bal Sambal campus.
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Bal Sambal is part of a family legacy. Panchsheel Jain founded Bal Sambal inspired by his father who did a lot of social work in the field of development of women and children in India. Hence, Panchsheel had quite a bit of experience with underprivileged children's development before founding Bal Sambal.
Despite of the tools like experience, motivation, network of like-minded people and development strategies in his belt, there were few cases when the problems seemed daunting and unbeatable. But the words of his father inspired him to find solution and move on. A succint poem by his father (in Hindi followed by translation):
Ek ke baad ek musibat aati rahi,
Ek ke baat ek gajab dhati rahi,
Kuch din ruki, phir chal di,
Hamne pucha musibaton se, laut kar kab aaogi,
Vo boli, kya khaak aayengi, tumne samjha kabhi hamein musibat?
Translation: Problems kept coming one after another, kept throwing difficulties at every step. The problems stayed for a few days and then they moved on. I asked the problems, when will you be back. They said, the heck we will be back! Did you ever think of us as problems?
One of the failures came at a very early age when the construction had just begun. One of the first things to get set up after setting the foundation was getting electicity up and running. But when trying to get that done, Panchsheel realized that the village had no electricity. there wasn't even a transformer to suppy electricity in that area. He made quite a few trips of the government offices to get electricity lines pulled to the village but all the efforts were in vain. The minimum waiting time was 2 years and that was a big blocker to Panchsheel's plans.
So, one of the first things he had to do was focus the donations coming in to buy a transformer so that the whole village could get electricity. It was a big problem to begin with but ended with not only solving Bal Sambal's problem, but also the whole village now had electricity. An added advantage was that the village of Sirohi accepted Bal Sambal with open arms as a harbinger of development and better days.
Today the children of that village come and study in Bal Sambal school. The locals help the organization in every way they can and have a very special relationship with Bal Sambal.
We learned a few things through this experience. Firstly we learned to never take anything for granted and do a thorough research for everything we need with dependency on other organizations or the government. Secondly, we learned to look at the big picture and welfare of all. Knowing we have the power of making a difference to someone's lives also makes us responsible to make the right decisions.
To end with a great quotation of Maya Angelou, "Nothing will work unless you do."
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Dr. Atul and Alka Kumar planted some 'kalpvraksha' trees in the Bal Sambal campus and inaugarated the campus library. They bought bicycles for the children and everyone present enjoyed a heartful meal of Dal baati and choorma with the children.
2 volunteers fron London spent a few weeks in Bal Sambal and celebrated 'Raksha Bandhan' with the kids.
On the occasion of the 70th Independence Day of India, a hoge celebration was organized in Bal Sambal and 'Pahal' slums.
A group of medical students from Kuwait visited Bal Sambal and dontated school bags with first aid kits.
'Prayas' group from Amity University came to visit the campus.
Shri Lakshmikant Ji celebrated his birthday with the kids from Bal Sambal and Pahal slums in 'Kanha' restaurant and gave school uniforms and bags to each child.
Aditi Sodhani from the Global Giving team visited Bal Sambal and also attended a 'Pahal' program which was organized by Panchsheel Jain. In her own words, Ms. Aditi described her stay as 'a very pleasant, warm and welcoming stay at Bal Sambal. I really appreciate the strong intent and belief that you work with and if followed through, Bal Sambal can create wonders out of these children.'
Focus group celebrated their first year anniversary and recognized Bal Sambal. On the occasion, Bal Sambal kids performed Ganesh Vandana and were commended in the Focus group magazine.
Jawahal Circle pahal group started their dance practice.
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The kids of Bal Sambal gave a stellar colorful performance on May14th, 2016 at the Rangayan theatre of Jawahar Kala Kendra center in the midst of a large crowd. This was their first official performance and with the medium of dance, music and acting presented a theme that conveyed that their parents might have given them up but their life is not worthless and if someone has the motivation to live and learn, with the right guidance, their life can be turned into a very productive and successful enterprise.
The event started with a short speech by Panchsheel Jain on the progress and current position of Bal Sambal and welcomed the guests. The chief guest of the event was the legislator of Sawai Madhopur and Ambassador of 'Balika Bachao Balika Padhao', Diya Kumari who openly praised and enjoyed the performance and the good work done in Bal Sambal. The special guest of the event was the ex-minister of Centeral BJP, Satish Punia.The event was resided by social worker, Panna lal Baid. Many of our donors and supports were recognized and given gratitude.
Bal Sambal was also recognized and awarded in a writer's program.
New school dress and fruits were distributed to kachhi basti kids at Jawahar circle.
We also started dance practice in the Kachchi basti in Jawahar Circle.
The constuction of Girls' Hostel and gues house are on going in full flow.
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