Monday 22 October 2012

TRUSTEE SPEAK

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

Warm greetings for the festive season!

On behalf of LIFE Trust, I wish every one of you and your families a safe and shining Diwali. May there always be joy, peace and laughter in your lives.

Our newsletter for this quarter highlights the counselling work which we undertake in our 10 schools and in the Observation Homes. The LIFE skills workshop has been a success that has resulted in the fantastic results of our SSC toppers this year.

There is no better time than the festive season to introspect and reinforce positive beliefs and values and celebrate our achievements and blessings.

Our journey through LIFE continues to be fulfilling and rewarding.

May this festive season fill our hearts with new hope and may we continue this journey towards “Changing lives, Changing destinies”.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Poonam Lalvani
Managing Trustee - LIFE Trust

Attitudes and Aptitudes!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

Our counseling team at the LIFE Trust office

As part of LIFE Trust’s educational counseling programme, the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) was conducted this quarter for the tenth standard students in our 10 adopted BMC schools. The DAT is an aptitude test that is designed to assess crucial aspects of intellectual functioning such as abstract reasoning ability, language ability, processing speed, mechanical insight that help to identify suitable career options after the tenth standard. This test was conducted for 1200 students this year and will be followed by counseling and career guidance sessions.

Apart from educational counseling, LIFE Trust also provides behavioral counseling to its students. The children of these schools belong to disadvantaged sections of the society and are often at the receiving end of domestic violence, anger and abuse. Most often, they experience a total lack of affection from their parents and this leads to long term emotional problems in them. Perhaps, all they need is encouragement, appreciation, trust and someone to talk to.

We are fortunate to have a sincere team of counselors who carry out individual counseling sessions, group sessions and mnemonic techniques to identify deep rooted mental and emotional problems in these children. Issues are resolved through informal chat sessions and relaxation techniques and awareness is generated through workshops. These workshops ensure that the children are well informed, aware and in a position to protect themselves. Following our partnership with Government Children’s Homes and Observation Homes, we have also extended our counseling services to these institutions.

As we see our students emerge as confident young individuals, faring better academically, we are assured that our efforts are indeed being rewarded. As teachers and educators, it is our duty to understand that every child is special and efforts must be made to bring out the best in them!

“Strengthening ties”

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012
 
 
On 2nd August 2012, LIFE Trust celebrated "Raksha Bandhan" with 500 children of LIFE Trust’s partner institution, "The Children's Aid Society" (CAS). Workshops and activities were conducted at the CAS’s Observation Home at Umerkhadi that provides shelter and treatment to destitute, delinquent and victimised children. These children are between the age group of 4-17 years and are rendered treatment for any illness. Efforts are also made to reunite them with their families.
As part of this partnership, LIFE Trust is now devoted to educating and entertaining these children with a view to improve their conduct. On Raksha Bandhan day, Rakhis were tied to the boys by the girls of the institution and the LIFE Trust staff.  All Rakhis were personally made by the adolescent girl groups LIFE Trust works with. The Chief Guest at the event was Amruda Nair of the Leela Hospitality Group and Marathon Runner for LIFE Trust.

Uniform distribution at DSIS

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012


On 20th July 2012, LIFE Trust arranged a function for the students of David Sassoon Industrial School, a treatment centre for deviant boys. This was conducted to celebrate the success of "Roshni" - an ongoing enrichment programme that LIFE Trust has been conducting for them. Close to 180 students attended this programme.

Celebrating our “HIGH FLYERS”!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012


On 21st July 2012, LIFE Trust organised a felicitation programme for the SSC Board toppers of the MCGM schools. The programme was attended by the Headmasters/Headmistresses of the schools and by LIFE Trust Managing Trustee Mrs. Lalvani. The programme started with the students handing over a small Ganpati statue as a token of thanks to their teachers. The headmasters and Mrs. Lalvani congratulated the students for their efforts and handed over certificates and gifts on behalf of LIFE Trust.

“EDUCATE, ENRICH, EMPOWER”

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

 
In August and September, LIFE Trust conducted an enrichment programme for the students of David Sassoon Industrial School at Matunga. The children in this institution are orphaned, destitute or court committed and between the age group of 6-18 years. Sessions were conducted on Maths, English, Communication skills and Art & Craft for the boys. Projective personality tests were conducted by LIFE Trust Counselors and the boys and girls got an insight on their own strengths and weaknesses.

Soft Skills Training Workshop

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012


On 7th July 2012, a training workshop was conducted by Ms. Rekha Jagasia for the LIFE coaches on “Classroom Management”. Valuable teaching tips were shared with the LIFE Coaches on classroom management, information sharing, ways to bring out leadership traits in students, encouraging reading, indoor games and use of audio visual aids in the classroom.

A Team Effort!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012



On 7th July 2012, the Training and Development Team from LIFESTYLE conducted a workshop for LIFE Trust staff on “Team Building”. After a brainstorming session, a balloon blowing competition was conducted where members had to blow as many balloons as possible within a specified time frame and then form a tower with them. At the end, the Trainers assessed the effectiveness of the strategy adopted by each of the three teams to fulfill the task and shared their suggestions for improvement.

LIFE Trust Goes Green!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012


 In August and September, LIFE Trust conducted a workshop on "Making an Eco Friendly Ganpati" at its partner BMC schools in Mumbai. The children were taught how to make Ganpatis using natural and biodegradable substances to encourage them to love and protect their environment! They were also taught how to make paper flowers, paper garlands and other decorative items and to celebrate festivals with awareness and responsibility.




MAP for the Quarter!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

Art work on display at the LIFE Trust office

MAP (Monthly Awareness Programme) is designed to educate the children on topics outside the school curriculum. The topics this quarter were Kashmir, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Here is a collage of all the art work done as part of this programme:


Lanterns for sale!

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012



On 7th September 2012, LIFE Trust was at the Smart Mart - “A Mart with a Heart”, organized by the Maharashtra State Women’s Council. At this mart, we raised funds for our Child Care Centres through sales of handcrafted lanterns.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - MUMBAI

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

Session for adolescent girls (l) and Teacher Training programme (r)
 
July

  • LIFE Trust Child Care Centre Team conducted Teacher Training Programmes (TTPs) on Early Childhood Care suggested by the ICDS Scheme. Workshops were conducted throughout the month for Anganwadi parents on "Effective Parenting Skills".
  • Adolescent girls were briefed on the importance of having dreams and goals in life.
  • A teacher’s enhancement session was conducted for LIFE Coaches at Kamla High School
  • LIFE Trust conducted a Felicitation ceremony for the SSC Board toppers of the BMC schools.

August

  • The LIFE Trust CCC Team conducted TTPs on “Role of a Teacher”.
  • Take Home Ration was conducted for Anganwadi parents.
  • Sessions on Value Education were conducted for adolescent girls.
  • Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with 500 boys of The Children’s Aid Society.”

September

  • Independence Day celebrated at all the schools and Anganwadis.
  • A craft workshop was conducted in all the schools on “Making an eco-friendly Ganpati”.

JAGRAN - Session on superstition
 
  • “Jagran” – a session on the evils of superstition, was conducted for Anganwadi teachers and adolescent girls in the community.
  • LIFE Trust CCC Team conducted TTPs on “Learning through Play”.
  • Parents meetings were conducted on “Early Childhood Education”.
  • Sessions on “Importance of Education” was conducted for the adolescent girl groups.
  • Teachers day was celebrated at all the BMC schools.
  • Differential Aptitude Test was started by counselors in the BMC schools.
 
Ganesh Puja at the LIFE Trust office

  • Ganesh Puja was celebrated at the LIFE Trust office with all the staff.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - BANGALORE

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

LIFE Trust Bangalore has been catering to out of school children and children of construction workers.

The children at Shirke School
  
July

  • An awareness session on “Health and Hygiene” was conducted for the teachers at the LIST. The session was conducted by Shilpa, Staff Nurse from Primary Health Centre, Yemalur.
  • Workshops on “First Aid” and “Emergency Care” were conducted for the teachers by the Indian Red Cross Society.
  • Workshops were conducted for teachers on ways to create documents and accounts.

August

Rakhi celebration at Shirke School

  • Raksha Bandhan was celebrated at all the LIFE Pathshalas with the teachers and students. Rakhis were tied on one another and the students put up performances along with song and dance. Sweets and toys were distributed to the children.

Independence Day celebrations at LIFE Pathshala

  • Independence Day was celebrated at all the schools. Flag hoisting was conducted and games were arranged for the children.
  • Health camps were conducted at all the LIFE Patshalas by the medical staff at the Primary Health Centre at Kengeri. Medicines and immunization was provided to the children.
  • Mid day meals are being provided to the children in all the 4 LIFE Pathshalas.

September
  • 2 new schools have been set up at Kadugodi (near Whitefield) and at Kommaghatta near Kengeri. These schools will accommodate a total of 80 students.
  • Teacher’s Day was celebrated in all the Pathshalas. Lifestyle arranged for gifts all the teachers.
  • RK Foundation donated toys, stationery and clothes for new borns at the construction sites.
  • IGATE and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) donated notebooks and clothes to the pathshalas.
  • The monthly health camp was conducted for all the schools.
  • SSA has started an online child tracking system and details of all our children have been sent to them for filing.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - CHENNAI

Vol 4.3 July-September 2012

Our children are now in high school and are doing exceedingly well as always. Shankar and Augustus are enjoying their engineering course and Kalaiselvi has stood first in class with Kavitha coming a close second. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours!

Thursday 30 August 2012

TRUSTEE SPEAK

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012

Summer is behind us and we look upwards to the Rain Gods to shower us with much needed rain. This summer was marked with some wonderful new initiatives at LIFE Trust. Our new programme “ROSHNI” which marks our partnership with the Women and Child Welfare department for sustainable intervention and support in the orphanages and destitute homes of Mumbai is going off well. The School Ready programme was a 'super success', culminating in the enrollment of more than 400 students' admissions into primary school. 

It is our endeavour always to provide quality through creativity and teamwork to all our programmes. The highlight of summer was my holiday in Bangalore with my twelve children from Chennai. They have done us proud with their fantastic results in the tenth standard and are on their way to becoming Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Doctors etc. 

Our journey through LIFE continues to be fulfilling and rewarding. May we continue this journey towards Changing Lives, Changing destinies.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Poonam Lalvani
Managing Trustee - LIFE Trust

"ROSHNI" - Lighting up Lives!

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012


In the month of May, LIFE Trust conducted “Roshni, an enrichment program for the children of “The Children's Aid Society”, a remand home and an orphanage “BJ Home for Children.” The children in these homes are between the age group of 6-18 years and are either orphaned, destitute or court committed. The School Development Team at LIFE Trust shared their expertise in this programme and conducted daily sessions for the children. The sessions were complete with song and dance activities, games, and art and craft activities for these children by our LIFE Coaches. To make the lessons engaging and visually appealing, LIFE Trust provided audio visual aid to the LIFE Coaches. Storytelling and role plays were also conducted for the children.


AT THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY



Close to 60 sessions were conducted for 120 boys of The Children's Aid Society. These sessions were conducted on Conversational English, Maths and Value Education. The boys were also enlightened in areas such as Health and Hygiene, Communication skills, and were engaged in sports and yoga. Following the completion of this programme, our LIFE Coaches noticed a significant improvement in their written and communication skills.



AT THE B.J. HOME FOR CHILDREN


Close to 70 sessions were conducted for the children of BJ Home. Sessions were conducted on basic Maths, English and Value education and Computer education with a special focus on instilling discipline, improving their sense of grooming and basic etiquette. Song and dance, Movies, Art and craft, and games were part of the programme.

It was heartening to see the children bond with our Team and welcoming them into their lives!

TO MAKE THEM "SCHOOL READY"

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012



In April 2012, LIFE Trust, as part of its Child Care Centre project, conducted an enrichment programme for Anganwadi children in order to make them “School Ready”. The month long programme included a range of activities designed for children who are about to enter formal school.


Fun and games

We love to dance
More than 500 children from the slums of Bandra, Dharavi, Chembur and Wadala each attended this programme. Pre-tests were conducted to assess aptitude and sessions were conducted thereafter on 'days of the week', colours, fruits etc. in Hindi, Marathi and English. The children were taught educational songs, nursery rhymes, and games to enhance fine motor skills. Storytelling and role plays were also conducted for the children.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012


On the 15th of June, our LIFE coaches decided to usher in the new academic year on a cheerful note. They personally stood at the entrance of the schools with banners and sweets to welcome the students in. Once the students were guided to their respective classrooms, the LIFE coaches delivered an encouraging and motivating talk to the students and wished them luck for the new session!

PIECE OF "LIFE" - MUMBAI

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012
  • In the months of April-June 2012 - LIFE Trust implemented the “School Ready Programme”, an enrichment programme for Anganwadi children at Bandra, Dharavi and Shivri -Wadala to make them ready for formal school. LIFE coaches and other staff visited the anganwadis to lend a helping hand.
  •  A summer camp was conducted in the municipal schools, with a special focus on improving English grammar and comprehension amongst students.
  • On 28th April 2012, “Our Home” kids in Chennai were taken for a short trip to Bangalore. They were accompanied by our Managing Trustee, Mrs Lalvani.
  • In May 2012, LIFE Trust organized “Roshni”, an enrichment programme for the children of “Children’s Aid Society”, a remand home and “B.J Home”, an orphanage.
  • On 23rd May, volunteers from Switzerland visited “ROSHNI” and the School Ready Team at the anganwadis and spent time bonding with the children.
  • On 28th May, a party was held to celebrate the completion of “School Ready” programme.
  • On 29th May, The Child Care Centre Team conducted a parents meeting at Wadala on “Importance of education – Role of parents.”
  • On 8th June and 19th June 2012 respectively, LIFE Trust organised a party at David Sassoon Industrial Home and B.J Home to celebrate the completion of “Roshni.”
  • On 15th June, LIFE Coaches conducted a “Welcome Back to School” programme for the municipal school children where they personally welcomed the students into the new academic year.
  • Our MCGM School students come out with flying colours in their tenth standard board examinations! The toppers Priyanka Gadekar of NM Joshi School and Karan Jaiswal of Prabhadevi School bag a score of 88.5 and 87.45% respectively.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - BANGALORE

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012

The girls at JMC School Bangalore
Art work on display
  • LIFE Trust Bangalore currently manages 4 Life Pathshalas, catering to 265 children, in collaboration with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Learning takes place as per Nalli Kalli curriculum, in an interactive manner. Mid-day meals are provided by SSA and LIFE Trust provides snacks to the children.
  • From 14-26th May 2012, LIFE Trust Bangalore organised a Summer Camp for the children of JMC School. Volunteers from Mahindra Satyam, Art of Living, Kathalaya and Chitrakala Parishad shared their expertise in this programme and spent time with the children interacting and bonding with them. Daily sessions were conducted on Health and Hygiene, Computer Education, How to Develop a Positive Attitude, Yoga and Relaxation and other Life Skills. Sessions were also conducted on Origami and Art and Craft. The camp also included storytelling, song and dance, training sessions on Folk dance, Music Lessons and Skits. The camp wrapped up with a valedictory function organised on the final day where all their Art work was displayed at an exhibition. The children dressed to look their best and put up a stage performance for everyone!

PIECE OF "LIFE" - CHENNAI

Vol 4.2 April-June 2012



  • In the month of April, to celebrate the completion of their board examinations, the children of “Our Home” in Chennai were taken on a short visit to Bangalore. After a round of sightseeing, a Soft Skills training session was arranged for them at the Landmark Institution for Skills training, where they were enlightened on Personal Grooming, Life Skills and Basic Etiquette. 
  • LIFE Trust is proud to announce that the students of “Our Home” in Chennai have done exceedingly well in their board examinations. Our students Kavita and Muthulaxmi have topped the batch and Shankar and Augustus are all set to join their engineering course at Shri Ramakrishna Mission Polytechnic College.