|
Skill Building
The sewing and woodworking skill development programs are producing incredible results. The young people have moved from lop-sided bookshelves and irregular stitches to innovative and made-to-order furniture (outside chairs and table, cupboards) and school backpacks for the students. Skills they can use to improve their future. Considering the lack of high-quality equipment in both areas, the product produced is extremely good. Now that the students get paid for their products (price according to the quality and precision of the piece) the children have to be self-motivated. Some are finding this very difficult while others are having no problem. This is on its own a valuable skill for them to gain—hard-work and motivation. We have our very own One! driver. Rakesh, (one of the original students in 2001) is now a certified driver—he passed his driver’s test December 21st 2006. We had no idea how he was doing throughout his classes. He was so nervous about it and realized the importance of the opportunity; he just wasn’t saying a word. He definitely looked a little lighter the day he passed. He had a quiet pride and confidence about him. Once he has more practice, he will be hired as One!’s driver to take Vinita on her hospital trips, and other errands that are needed. We will now try to continuously give this opportunity to our other boys of age. Another skill building opportunity has been given to Jayenti and Bismilla who are now employed as Vinod’s replacement. They will be running errands and basic tasks, but starting in February they will also act as teacher’s assistants in a few classes. They will be supervised by our teachers and learn many new skills. |
|||||
 Rakesh is not only a driver now, but a confident young man. He sang and danced and acted in the Annual Program this year—something he hasn’t done in two years because of that ‘age’. |
||||||
|
Volunteers
Two Edmonton sisters, Sarah and Rachel, arrived in Mumbai November the 7th for a three month placement. They were writers, artists, directors, and set designers for the Annual Program in November. Both of the girls love dance and gymnastics and have started to pass on their love of both to the children. Despite the struggles of dealing with teenagers (the top group is really reaching that awkward age!!!), they are giving their best and really loving the children. Julie arrived on December the 12th from Quebec. Uunfortunately she had to cut her trip short when her father became ill. In the short time that she was at the school, she jumped in entirely and didn’t hesitate once. Her strength is very admirable. Gregor finished off his time with One! by teaching the whole school our new One! Anthem (Thank You poem). Thank you Gregor for all of your efforts over the last three months. |
News Longs!
Sonal’s family, one of our female students, has made another major step to change. The family had a great history of responsibility and trust—they have taken two loans and paid both in full. So, when they came in to ask for another loan we were willing to listen. They wanted a loan to get their own private electricity for their house—this would make them independent of neighbours and give them more official paperwork. We hesitated due to the size of the loan, but they proved their respect, thanks and appreciation for One! and the help we have given. I am sure they will prove themselves. We are so lucky to have our new Ex-Pat community supporting us. Their newest venture is to do some major (and overdue) repairs to the school. We have moved our kitchen from upstairs to downstairs (no more carrying 80 kids worth of food downstairs!) and redone one of our toilets and washing areas. We will also be redoing our doors, creating dividers in two of our classrooms, making extra storage area and redoing our window shutters. It sounds like so much...and it is!!! Due to mass confusion for everyone joining One!, we have renamed our class groups. Our motto is “One step at a time”, so we decided to name them “steps”. So we have the “PreSteps” (the old KinderKids), and then “Step 1” all the way to “Step 7”. They DON’T correlate with grades, but coincidentally, our “Step 7” group is at a grade 7 level or higher. Who came up with those old names anyway??!—Tania!!! Thank you Melanie for working on the One! Phone book and Julie for an incredible job at completing our first brochure. Keep an eye on the webpage, a sudden change of web host, has necessitated changes, so… look for new items, stories, letters from the children, our One! Anthem, etc... |
|||||