|
Life: Its Ups and Its Downs
As always, there are plenty of stories of groundbreaking changes and breakthroughs coupled with the traumas of life—especially life on the streets of Mumbai. We mourn the passing of the father of one of our beginning families. Ravi and Raju’s father Ramesh had been suffering from Tuberculosis for almost five years and finally succumbed to the disease in mid-October. We are very proud of wife, Sharda for allowing herself to grieve while at the same time being strong for her boys. Many sensitive issues are starting to arise through the great trust that we have built at the Khar school. The trust is great, but unfortunately the issues are hard to face and raise questions as we move forward as to what our organization policy and procedures will be. Some of the issues are homosexuality, male prostitution and child sexual abuse. On the medical side, the year has proved to be very positive in that much fewer cases of malaria and malnutrition were found amongst our children in Khar. However other major illnesses were found: Nitin and Rakesh’s Tuberculosis and Dilshaad’s Tumor. On the more positive side, the older boys are managing to stay away from alcohol (at least on a regular basis!) and committing themselves to the school. They are ‘working out’ their bodies and generally conscious of their health—even if it is only to ‘pick up chicks’. They are fighting against their father’s negative ways and trying hard not to follow the same paths. Our older girls are starting to stand up for themselves and tell our social workers they don’t want husbands that drink!! |
|||||
 Volunteer Sofie teaching English at the Nallasopara school. |
||||||
|
Fun Week
The week was certainly fun for the children. The week was certainly fun for the staff—and tiring and stressful and many, many, many other things. But it was all well worth it!! Monday of fun week was Movie Day. The children watched and then answered questions and had a discussion. Tuesday was Essel World—most of the children’s highlight of the week. Essel World is the biggest amusement park in Mumbai. 20 children from Nallasopara and 35 children from Khar were able to go. Despite bus hassles and minor incidents, the children ran from ride to ride to ride to ride to… Wednesday was Mahim Nature Park—a government park in the heart of Mumbai. The children enjoyed the videos but were a little disappointed that they didn’t get to see any wildlife! Oh well, you can’t win them all! Thursday was our third bi-annual Sport’s Day. As always, the day was a great success. The children were able to: play friendly yet competitive games, get some fresh air, get some exercise and have lots of fun! |
Volunteers with Focus
Amy from England joined us at the beginning of September and gave us three incredible months of volunteering. She readily accepted responsibility and took it upon herself to help with the English curriculum, keeping the school tidy, and any other administration tasks. Amy had a great knack in the classroom with very creative ideas. Verinderjit from England found it really hard to adjust to the culture and surroundings for the first week of her volunteering month but she stuck to it and in the end proved that she can adapt and make a home out of anywhere. Verinder added her creativity to the walls of the Khar school by creating a lovely mural. Caroline from Canada was all smiles and had great enthusiasm and drive to give but also to learn about the culture, the school and the children. Caroline arrived in the middle of September and spent one month volunteering in Nallasopara and one month in Khar. Sofie also of Canada really showed her determination and love for the experience she was in the middle of. She committed her whole two months to the Nallasopara school and made incredible moves to help with the organization and day-to-day atmosphere and activities at the school. Sofie was passionate and the children loved her gentle yet strict ways. A lot was achieved in a very short time! Thank you ladies!!! |
|||||