csa newsletter | volume 34 | apr - 2015 · activities from obstacle courses to jungle gym...

AFFECXN (Read: AFFECTION), is a Newsletter published by Catalysts for Social Action (CSA). Established in September 2002, Catalysts for Social Action (CSA) is a Not-For-Profit organization dedicated to the cause of child welfare and rehabilitation for children living in orphanages.

CSA works as a “catalyst” focusing on a holistic approach to child care and optimal rehabilitation outcomes. In the area of enabling holistic child care, we support a number of child care institutions in the areas of Health & Hygiene, Nutrition, Education, Vocational skills, Infrastructure support and Recreation activities. CSA not only cares but also goes beyond, thus, enabling children to be self-sufficient and become contributing members of society.

We continue to make a valuable difference to children across child care institutions in states that we support.

As part of optimal child rehabilitation, CSA facilitates Adoptions in the country; we work with existing adoption agencies in rural areas to facilitate the quality, speed and number of adoptions in India. We have successfully facilitated over in India, so far. We believe that Adoption is the best form of child rehabilitation. Our intention is to ensure that every adoptable child should find a home.

3100+60+ 4

240+ adoptions

CSA Newsletter | Volume 34 | Apr - 2015

CSA Highlights

ØFirst Foster Care case facilitated by CSA Goa

We successfully facilitated the foster care placement of an 11 year old girl with a widow in Goa. This is the first case handled by CSA and also the first foster care case in the entire state of Goa! 11 year old Rekha* was an orphan child since she lost both her parents to HIV. However, she was HIV negative and lived in an orphanage since she was 3 years old. She yearned to have a family of her own. On the other hand, Anitha*, a 55 year old widow had lost her husband a few years back. As a couple, they too were yearning for a child and had approached several Adoption Agencies with the hope of adopting a child, however, they never succeeded. CSA became aware of Anitha’s desire to adopt and after a few discussions with her, she was willing to take 11 year old Anitha under foster care. When Anitha met Rekha for the first time, there was an instant connection and this just seemed like divine intervention! CSA followed up with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Goa to get the process moving and after a wait of 6 months, CWC finally gave the nod for Rekha to be given under foster care to Anitha. Both mother and daughter are extremely happy with these turn of events & since Rekha is a totally orphaned child, Anitha is now looking to adopt her daughter legally!*Names have been changed to protect the identity of mother and child

ØSignificant improvement in all round capacity of Children’s homes

An evaluation of the overall functioning and effectiveness of a CCI on a given number of parameters as per the JJ Act 2000 is audited by a tool - The JJ Act Audit. This tool was developed by Aangan India in association with UNICEF. This is an effective tool in evaluating several standards of care at CCIs. Some criteria measured include Management & staffing, Physical facilities & Safety, Health & sanitation, Nutrition, Education & recreation, Psychological care, Exit preparation & follow up etc.

Each criteria is drilled down further and then a score per criteria is arrived upon which then totals to an overall score. CSA staff have been trained to make use of the JJ audit in evaluating the CCIs we work with. CCIs recording lowest scores on given parameters are identified as areas for improvement – ‘RED’ flag areas & these areas can be worked upon to improve overall standards of child care & protection being provided at the CCI.

We undertook this exercise in May 2014 and subsequently in Feb 2015 (after 8 months). We now have a comparison of scores & improvement percentage.

Overall 23% improvement recorded across 28 orphanages / children’s homes. The aim is to keep seeing an improvement in the scores which in turn would mean better Standards of Care and Protection for children residing in these children’s homes.

Ø2 boys from Pune observation home get selected for jobs via campus placements after completing 2-wheeler repairing course

Two out of ten under privileged children, who underwent training in a two wheeler repairing course have been able to successfully get themselves placed via campus interview. The training program was spread over a 45-day period held at PJNUK premises by Kohinoor Technical Institute (KTI), Hadapsar, Pune, as boys are not allowed to go outside.

The 2 boys placed via campus interview are under 18 and have a few months to go, when they turn 18; they will then be allowed to join their workplace.

The 10 participants were part of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra (PJNUK) located in Yerwada-Pune, a Observation and juvenile home for children. CSA thought it prudent that these boys be imparted with some skill development to give them confidence and career option, before they leave the juvenile home. We appreciate the support of District Women and Child development (DWCD) Pune, Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Resource Cell for Juvenile Justice (RCJJ), Kohinoor Technical Institute (KTI) and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra to ensure the success of this activity.

Boys from PJNUK with their 2-wheeler course completion certificates

(faces blurred to protect identity)

Adoption Spotlight - Saee!

Mr. Vishal & Mrs. Bhakti Chavan adopted 5 months old Saee in March 2015. Vishal is employed with Accelya Kale Solutions Ltd, one of our foremost and consistent corporate funders. It is a matter of immense joy to have an employee adopt a little bundle of joy! Their adoption experience is shared below -

I and my wife are now very proud and happy parents of sweet little baby girl, “Saee”.

When we saw her for the first time, we knew that she is ours. She is just five months old and filled our home with joy & happiness on auspicious day of “Gudi Padwa” last month.We shared our joy with our relatives, colleagues and family friends. Everyone is so excited and congratulating us for this special gift. Few of them are appreciating our decision to give “Saee” a home, but the fact is she gave a meaning to our home and brought the entire family together. I thank CSA, Mr. Gawande and his team from the adoption agency in making this happen very fast and smoothly. To my surprise, the entire process was very straight forward without any complexities. We got a baby in our hands within 3 weeks after I submitted the request to CSA. I feel you must spread the awareness about the process among people; it will definitely help prospective adoptive parents to firm up their decision to enjoy parenthood. Once again, thank you so much and continue spreading happiness.

Mr. & Mrs. Chavan with baby Saee

CSA Happenings - Support to Children’s Homes!

ØAs part of our Education model, we are also imparting various Life Skills trainings to children in the age group of 14-18 years at children’s homes. Close to 176 kids in MP, Mumbai & Pune were taken through sessions on – - Co-operative Behaviour between team members pursuing shared goals- Identifying problems, analyzing the same and coming up with solutions - Using current affairs to ask questions & debate

Ø33 children have been adopted by loving families since April 2014 through our facilitation; our best wishes to all the adoptive families!

ØGender and Sex education was done for 253 children in MP by FPAI (Family Planning Association of India). The seminar was on educating kids on their sexual anatomy & care and cleanliness. This was done via a displayed chart of the human anatomy

Ø167 children were given new apparel sets

Ø2 utensil stands, a water cooler & full size mirror was given to a children’s home in MP consisting of 26 children

ØHealth Check camps were done across CCIs through the month of March. 2000 children were examined and treated for various ailments. Children were also given de-worming tablets.

ØAs part of our Education model, we have been conducting Teacher’s training sessions for tutors at children’s homes in order to introduce new & innovative teaching techniques. In Feb, second round of Teacher training programs were conducted for 31 teachers in the month of January (8 at Pune & 23 in MP). Introduction of mind map techniques to assess student learning before & after teaching, creating Puppets to make lessons interesting etc. were done at this training. Teachers response was good and many teachers are using these techniques

CSA HIGHLIGHTS:

MADHYA PRADESH:


Ø140 boys from the Observation Home went for a full day outing to Adventure Plus. Kids enjoyed various activities from obstacle courses to jungle gym activities specially designed for children.

Ø19 Water Filter units were given to children’s homes in Pune and adoption agencies in rural Maharashtra with a view to provide pure, potable drinking water to children.

ØWe undertook task of painting children’s rooms/dormitories at the Boys and Girls Observation Homes. Close to 210 children will benefit. A new dormitory is being constructed for 50 hearing and speech impaired children at BVJSS, Wagholi.

Ø Holi was celebrated with 80 kids from Divyadaya Trust’s Valentina’s Little Heaven children’s home. Started off with ‘Colors of Joy’ where children made hand impressions in different colors on chart papers. Then they enjoyed eating ‘Puran Pohli’ and how could kids not engage in splashing color on each other!

ØOn 26th Jan (Republic Day), an Art exhibition cum sale was organised at the Girls Observation Home, Bhiwandi. Close to 50 girls have been learning new art activities such as abstract painting, making different flowers, designing photo frames, painting flower pots, purses, bags etc. In order to promote their creativity & artwork, this exhibition was held. Several people attended the exhibition including JJB (Juvenile Justice Board) staff. The girls were very encouraged with the appreciation they received.

Ø287 children were given new outfits - needless to say, they were thrilled!

ØAs part of our Education model, we

MUMBAI:

PUNE:

GOA:





Ø

ØCWC Chairperson inaugurated 6 toilets & 3 bathrooms at Jasoda Anath Ashram CCI along with Protection Officer - Institutional Care Kalahandi. 50 children, especially girls, will no longer have to defecate or bathe in the open which was the case earlier

Ø300+ children from 3 CCIs enjoyed day long sessions of fun & innovative games & were treated to different snack items in March

Ø A Volley Ball field was set up for 50 children from a CCI and a bookshelf was also provided to their library

Ø

Ø2 separate Capacity Building workshops for Care Givers from CCIs in North and South Goa were held between Jan and March 2015. Aim was to enrich the skills and improve understanding of caregivers in the field of Child Care thus improving standard of the benefits endowed to children in the institutions. CWC Goa extended their full support for these workshops

ØFirst Aid follow up sessions were conducted for CCI representatives in Goa in March. These participants had previously attended a Basic First Aid workshop, the focus this time was on contents of a standard First Aid kit & its proper usage. First Aid kits were then handed over to each CCI

ODISHA:

LEND US A HELPING HAND!

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention”

We have a long way to go before we can truly say that sustainable, value based care and support is being provided to children in adoption agencies and orphanages.

CSA believes in the highest standards of governance and transparency and will share project specific information with you.

We invite you to support our cause in the form of individual or corporate donations / sponsorships. We have a host of donation options to choose from and you can select appropriate options that suit your philanthropic needs. Kindly get in touch with us for further information on donation options available.

Donate today and become an active 'catalyst'!Cheque: Made payable to “Catalysts for Social Action” and sent to - Address: CSA, C/o Accelya Kale Solutions Ltd, 3rd Floor, Modi House, Eastern Express Highway, Naupada, Thane (W), Mumbai 400 602

Online Bank Transfer: To know more, call us or write in

Volunteering: To know more about how you can volunteer, get in touch with us

Landline: Mumbai - 022-67808888 | Pune - 020-66083777Email: [email protected]|Website: Join our Facebook page: Follow us on

www.csa.org.inhttps://www.facebook.com/CSAadoption

Twitter:@CSAOrphanCare

csa newsletter | volume 34 | apr - 2015 · activities from obstacle courses to jungle gym...

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