I feel that our batch could consider taking up one initiative for the benefit of underprivileged/ deprived/ disadvantaged. My thoughts are shared below in two sections: a) Possible Guidelines and b) Possible Options. This is more to stimulate our thoughts than to chart a path. It is my personal opinion that having a common goal would do a lot to sustain the momentum of our coming together.
POSSIBLE GUIDELINES
The target group should be people who are physically/mentally/financially/emotionally deprived or disadvantaged.
The initiative should be such that anyone from our batch who wants to get involved can do so. Those from our batch who have the time(or are motivated to make time) can get personally involved. Those who can't should be able to contribute by way of their finances and contacts if they are so inclined.
While there is a big vision in the minds of the core team we start small and aim to show a tangible result within a reasonable time. This would motivate more people to get involved. We can also consolidate our learning to decide on how to best to move forward based on the experience.
We start with one single initiative and work in a focused way rather than dissipate our resources on multiple initiatives. We should consider the sustainability factor while deciding on the initaitive - unless it is a limited period specific objective project.
Regular communication to the class members (at least once in a quarter) to sustain a sense of involvement and keep them informed. Also to motivate more of them to get involved. Photos should be used to highlight what is happening and the physical involvement of class members.
One of the goals could be to aim to be a model of excellence in service so that other Cathedral batches would want to emulate us. Our efforts would then have a multiplier effect.
POSSIBLE INITIATIVES
POSSIBLE GUIDELINES
The target group should be people who are physically/mentally/
The initiative should be such that anyone from our batch who wants to get involved can do so. Those from our batch who have the time(or are motivated to make time) can get personally involved. Those who can't should be able to contribute by way of their finances and contacts if they are so inclined.
While there is a big vision in the minds of the core team we start small and aim to show a tangible result within a reasonable time. This would motivate more people to get involved. We can also consolidate our learning to decide on how to best to move forward based on the experience.
We start with one single initiative and work in a focused way rather than dissipate our resources on multiple initiatives. We should consider the sustainability factor while deciding on the initaitive - unless it is a limited period specific objective project.
Regular communication to the class members (at least once in a quarter) to sustain a sense of involvement and keep them informed. Also to motivate more of them to get involved. Photos should be used to highlight what is happening and the physical involvement of class members.
One of the goals could be to aim to be a model of excellence in service so that other Cathedral batches would want to emulate us. Our efforts would then have a multiplier effect.
POSSIBLE INITIATIVES
INITIATIVE 1 - Counseling of Children below 5 years
We could look at an initiative that develops skills or is involved in Counseling and meeting the problems of children below 5 that are manifested in their behavior. This is something I have been thinking of for a long time. I understand that most of a child's make-up is set by the age of five. Resolving issues at this stage is much easier. With the passing of years it becomes increasingly difficult - though not impossible.
Suketu Doshi's wife who is running a school of about 125 children shared her concerns about the difficulties faced by children in this age group when we had a chat at Viks place last Friday.
We could look at an initiative that develops skills or is involved in Counseling and meeting the problems of children below 5 that are manifested in their behavior. This is something I have been thinking of for a long time. I understand that most of a child's make-up is set by the age of five. Resolving issues at this stage is much easier. With the passing of years it becomes increasingly difficult - though not impossible.
Suketu Doshi's wife who is running a school of about 125 children shared her concerns about the difficulties faced by children in this age group when we had a chat at Viks place last Friday.
INITIATIVE 2 - UPLIFTING A GROUP OF UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH/CHILDREN
We could take a batch of 6 to 12 underprivileged youngsters with potential for growth in a specific area and groom them to become independent, self-supporting adults who are contributing to society.
For example, using Manju's talents, a batch of girls from the slums could be developed to become Fitness Trainers. Probably we would need to give them training in other areas like English speaking, social etiquette etc.
What would be more satisfying than a couple of years down the line having them present at one of our get-togethers - performing and then sharing with the class how we have played a role in transforming their lives. How they have moved from living in the slums to living in a flat whose loan instalments are being paid from their own earnings.
They and their children living with dignity instead of in an environment of filth, poverty and physical/sexual/emotional abuse.
We could take a batch of 6 to 12 underprivileged youngsters with potential for growth in a specific area and groom them to become independent, self-supporting adults who are contributing to society.
For example, using Manju's talents, a batch of girls from the slums could be developed to become Fitness Trainers. Probably we would need to give them training in other areas like English speaking, social etiquette etc.
What would be more satisfying than a couple of years down the line having them present at one of our get-togethers - performing and then sharing with the class how we have played a role in transforming their lives. How they have moved from living in the slums to living in a flat whose loan instalments are being paid from their own earnings.
They and their children living with dignity instead of in an environment of filth, poverty and physical/sexual/emotional abuse.
Would appreciate knowing whether you feel it is worth exploring this idea further. Please feel free to be absolutely frank. Warm regards,
Sharad Kanga
Sharad Kanga
I think this is a necessary idea, a lot of us keep wondering what to do... and think about doing something, but dont get around to it. I'd say we we need to focus on say a group of ten to fifteen girls and boys, (I suggest migrant labourer's children... there are plenty, they are left to their own devices while their parents help build the buildings we live in). There is an NGO, SUNBEAM, which has a network of schools in the city (the schools move as the building sites keep changing)... doing noteworthy work. Well run, efficiently managed and well funded, the key here is they look for patronage for individual children and you are able to track the child's progress (this might be overt, or unobtrusive.) They also help the parents and families on issues such as family budget (ie there are parents who cannot afford excercise books as too much money is expended on bidis or alchohol,) and nutrition, that is, they do not view the child in isolation. If children dont attend (who will mind the baby and clean the house while the parents lay bricks?) they visit the parents, speak to them about education, and find solutions (and so it isn't unusual to see, 5 year olds, bring their 5-month old siblings to school, as thats the only way they can attend). And VERY interestingly, the notion of paying for the privelege of education creeps in. NOTHING is totally free, everything is heavily subsidized. So the parents have, perforce, to plan... as they have to buy their child's excercise book at Rs 1; and their daughter's dress at Rs 2. A couple of their children have got into medical school, one into engineering college. There are some of us who might want to volunteer skills, others who might commit to the vision of what sunbeam is trying to do and offer funding. I like the organization because it is transparent in terms of ... you know where your contribution is going... to the extent you want to know.
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