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 15^th 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 28^th 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 23^rd May, volunteers from Switzerland visited “ROSHNI” and the School Ready Team at the anganwadis and spent time bonding with the children.

• On 28^th May, a party was held to celebrate the completion of “School Ready” programme.

• On 29^th May, The Child Care Centre Team conducted a parents meeting at Wadala on “Importance of education – Role of parents.”

• On 8^th June and 19^th June 2012 respectively, LIFE Trust organised a party at David Sassoon Industrial Home and B.J Home to celebrate the completion of “Roshni.”

• On 15^th 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 14-26^th 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.