Thursday 31 January 2013

Trustee Speak

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012










Warm Season's Greetings and our sincerest wishes for a joyful and peaceful 2013!
The last quarter of 2012 has been full of hectic activity at the schools and at the community levels. Our annual programme "Joy in a Box" had our youngest Chief Guest who is all of 3 years old taking part in "changing lives and changing destinies. We bless her to be a beacon of light for other privileged children.

LIFE Trust's new initiative into healthcare was launched with a cancer camp for women from the community of Shiwri Wadala. The workshops on diya-making at the schools and communities have been a huge hit. Christmas was celebrated in the spirit of sharing and we distributed blankets to 250 girls at the observation homes in Mumbai. The work is endless and the joy of giving boundless...

We pray for the continued strength and support of our donors and well wishers. We welcome you to support us at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2013. Do visit my online pledging page at the United Way website and help me transform lives.

May this year be even more fulfilling and may we continue our journey towards changing lives, changing destinies......

Good Luck & God Bless,

Poonam Lalvani
Managing Trustee
LIFE Trust

Spreading the Joy of Toys!

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012



 


On 3rd November 2012, LIFE Trust celebrated “JOY IN A BOX”, its annual event for anganwadi children. Every year, on this day, LIFE Trust donates a bagful of educational toys and other learning aids to each anganwadi. 

This year, 400 children attended the programme along with their respective anganwadi Sevikas. It was a fun day for everyone and a range of activities were arranged for the children such as face painting, magic shows and fancy dress competitions. The programme was attended by Ms Yojana Shinde, in-charge of the Integrated Child Development Scheme and Mr Kailash Gaikwad, Superintendent of David Sassoon Observation Home. LIFE Trust special invitee Desiree Punwani, was present along with Chief Guest, Naisha Kanodia, daughter of Nishant and Smiti Kanodia, Chief Sponsors of this event. A toddler herself, Naisha looked happy to be amidst the children and shook hands with the Sevikas as the bag of toys was distributed to them.


LIFE Trust forays into Healthcare

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012

October is known worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and LIFE Trust successfully completed a comprehensive Cancer check up for 200 Anganwadi Sevikas on 13th and 20th of October 2012. The health camps included a host of tests such as a complete blood count, ENT profile, Chest X-Rays, a general physical examination, gynecological investigation, breast examination and a Pap smear test. This initiative was targeted towards early detection and treatment of silent killers like Cancer and Tuberculosis. Sadly, these women, who are educators to underprivileged children, are ignorant about their own health and diseases that are rampant in the community. This initiative marks LIFE Trust’s foray into generating healthcare awareness and was conducted in the backdrop of studies that reveal that the incidence of breast cancer is likely to double by 2025 in the city of Mumbai alone. 

A Day Out of the Classroom

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012


In the month of October, as part of LIFE Trust’s School Development Programme, an excursion was arranged for the students of its adopted BMC schools. Total 1172 children were taken to Nehru Science Centre, which houses a host of interactive science exhibits on a wide range of themes. The students were shown the 3D Science show, a Science Odyssey and “I am Mother”, a life size model that educates one about the human anatomy. The children were very happy and enjoyed the day out of the classroom. They expressed that they were grateful to LIFE Trust and that they looked forward more such outings in the future.          

Workshops@the Schools and Orphanages

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012
Throughout October, LIFE Trust conducted workshops for its students at the BMC schools, the boys and girls at its partner Observation Homes of the Children's Aid Society and the adolescent girl groups in the community. These workshops were conducted on enhancing communication skills and making craft items for Diwali.

Workshops@David Sassoon Industrial School

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012 

In the month of November, LIFE Coaches conducted a month long programme for the boys and girls at LIFE Trust’s partner institutions, The David Sassoon Industrial School, Umerkhadi Observation Home. Total 123 students between 2nd-10th standard attended this programme. Sessions were conducted on Conversational English, Maths, Value Education and Time Management. Workshops were conducted on “preparation of nutritious food”, Hairstyling for the girls, Health and Hygiene and making decorative paper bags.  Role plays and games were also organised and our LIFE Coaches ensured that the boys were involved and enjoyed themselves.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

A Day at the Special Schools

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012














In the month of November, LIFE Trust arranged a fun day for special children of 3 municipal schools, Ambedkar School, Ramkrishna Paramhans and Dadar Woollen Mill. LIFE Trust Outreach Team spent the day with these children, interacting with them and entertaining them all the while. Masks, caps and whistles were distributed to them and they were engaged in song and dance, games and action songs. At the end of the programme, gifts and snacks were distributed to all the children. 


Art Work for Diwali

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012



In November, a Diwali art and craft workshop was conducted for the children of the MCGM schools where they were taught how to make colourful Diyas using glitter and paint.

Teacher Training Workshops

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012











In this quarter, LIFE Trust Child Care Centre Team conducted workshops for anganwadi teachers on “Emotional disturbances in children”,” Bonding” and “Communication Skills”.

Staff Training Workshop


Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012



On 25th of December, LIFE Trust organised a workshop on “Workplace Ethics” for the staff. The session was conducted by Ms. Anuradha Karigar,resource person from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Brainstorming and role plays were conducted and the staff shared their experiences.

Vocational Training

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012











In December, vocational training was conducted for adolescent girls where the girls were taught how to make decorative paper bags using coloured paper.

Visit to a Model Anganwadi

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012












In the month of December, Mr Ravi Kumar, COO of LIFE Trust, paid a visit to LIFE Trust’s partner institutions, viz the anganwadis, municipal schools, orphanages and remand homes. Seen here is a snapshot of his visit to an anganwadi, participating with the children.

MAP Art Work for the Quarter


Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012 




                                                 
MAP is our monthly awareness programme for the MCGM school children. Every month a new topic is introduced in the classroom and activities are conducted on the same. The topics this quarter were Gujarat and Rajasthan and here is a snapshot of all the art work done by the children.

Monday 28 January 2013

Christmas Party

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012














On 11th December 2012, LIFE Trust donated blankets and sweets to the girls at Umerkhadi and Asha Sadan Observation Homes. A Christmas party was arranged for the girls and Santa Claus gave away the gifts to over 250 girls and sincerely praised them for their efforts.

Employee Speak

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012

Muskaan










I joined LIFE Trust in 2008 as a LIFE Coach at the Anganwadis. In these 4 years, LIFE Trust has not only helped me to mature as a person but has also brought out leadership traits in me. Today, I am a lot more confident in times of crisis and am able to overcome any challenges easily. Working at LIFE Trust has also taught me IT and project management skills and has given me an opportunity to work with women in the community in a meaningful way. Each day brings with it new opportunities for learning and I am truly grateful to LIFE Trust for making me the person I am today.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - MUMBAI

Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012


OCTOBER

• 12 meetings were held between the LIFE Trust Child Care Centre Team and the Community Development officer and Superintendent regarding upcoming programmes and activities.
• 321 Anganwadi teacher training sessions were conducted 
• 324 adolescent girls benefitted from meetings and Interactions arranged for them.
• 315 parents of anganwadi children benefitted from trainings and workshops conducted.
• 570 anganwadi teachers and helpers benefitted from trainings and workshops conducted.
• 1172 students of the MCGM schools were taken on an Educational Excursion to Nehru Science Centre. 
• 4138 students benefitted from workshops conducted at the MCGM schools on Communication skills and Time Management. 

NOVEMBER

• 32 meetings were conducted with the LIFE Trust Child Care Centre Team and the Community Development Officer and Superintendent.
• 277 teacher training sessions were conducted at the anganwadis.
• Meetings and trainings were conducted for 384 adolescent girls in the community.
• 338 parents of anganwadi children benefitted from interactions and meetings conducted.
• 562 women of the community benefitted from the Teacher Training Programmes.
• 47 children benefitted from workshops conducted on painting Diyas and paper at the City of Los Angeles school. 
• The School Development Team was involved in supervision and remedial teaching in their respective schools.

DECEMBER

• 145 women of the community benefitted from sessions conducted on ‘The Evils of Superstition’/ “Jagran.” 
• LIFE Trust will soon be working with anganwadis in Worli.
• 11 meetings were conducted with anganwadi supervisors.
• 470 anganwadi visits were conducted 
• 428 adolescent girls were given training
• 429 anganwadi children benefitted from all programmes and activities conducted
• 579 anganwadi parents benefitted from all programmes and activities
• 538 anganwadi teachers and helpers received training.
• A meeting was held with Varsha Gaekwad, Hon Minister for Women and Child Welfare by our Managing Trustee.
• 706 people in all benefitted from all programmes and activities conducted.

PIECE OF "LIFE" - BANGALORE


Vol 4.4 Oct-Dec 2012

OCTOBER

• In October, a training session was organized for teachers in conducting games and fun activities with the children. The session was conducted by two volunteers from iVolunteer, an ngo that connects individuals with organizations to facilitate sharing of skills, passion and time in a meaningful way.



NOVEMBER

• In November, Children’s Day was celebrated at all the LIFE Pathshalas. Sports and cultural competitions were conducted and prizes were given away to the winners. A new school was opened at Kadugodi Patalamma Layout.



DECEMBER

• On 22nd of December, Christmas celebrations were held at the LIFE Pathshalas where the children put up a cultural event. A magic show was held and Santa Claus distributed the gifts.