2007-3
New Delhi, Volume XV No. 3, July - Sept 2007
Deepalaya Hosts World Forum
Cultural Feast for the Delegates
Over 250 delegates from USA, Australia, UK, Philippines,
Canada, West Indies, Finland, Germany, South Africa and Indonesia participated
in the 18th ‘World Forum 2007’, an annual event of the International
Forum for Child Welfare (IFCW) which was hosted this year by Deepalaya.
The co-host was Indian Alliance for Child Rights (IACR) and the conference
theme was “Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and their Implications
for Children”. The three day conference from 22 August to August
24, 2007 took place at Hotel Intercontinental, New Delhi.
An international dialogue to promote and defend children’s
entitlements is important with many economies in transition. The Forum
provided an opportunity for activists, opinion makers, policy planners
and others to share their experiences in their countries. The cross fertilization
of ideas will have a positive impact.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Shantha Sinha, Chairperson,
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, highlighted the importance
of embedding the MDG’s in the rights-based perspective of childrenand
the goal was to see that all children must be without hunger, ill-health
and malnutrition.
Cultural programs by Deepalaya students and an Odissi dance
performance by Ms. Sharon Lowen and her students added further colour
to the Forum. The delegates also visited the projects. A Declaration was
adopted at the end which emphasized on information exchange, partnering
with all stakeholders to plan and implement the set targets, lobbying
and advocacy. Proceedings of the three day sessions are available on DVD.
Those interested may please order with a DD for Rs. 150.
Nursing the Japanese Way
Shinnyo-en of Tokyo, Japan signed a MOU with Deepalaya
on 10th September, instituting the “Shinnyo-en Deepalaya Scholarship
Program”. The memorandum was signed by Shri T.K.Mathew and Mr. Syuichi
Arai of Shinnyo-en and will provide a scholarship fund to the tune of
300,000 Yens (approximately One Lakh Rupees) every year for three years
so that two girls can do the nursing course. The qualifying two girl students
should have passed XII grade and be above 16 years of age.
Ms. Indu Bala, the first recipient of the Scholarship
The first recipient of the scholarship is Ms. Indu Bala,
a student of Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extension. Her father, a farmer
in the village, has a monthly income of Rs. 2500. Her mother is a homemaker.
She has a younger brother who goes to school and an elder sister who has
completed Class X. The paternal aunt saw the plight of the family during
a visit and decided to bring Indu Bala to Delhi. She felt this would lessen
the financial strain on the family as well as enable Indu Bala to complete
higher studies.
In April 2007, Indu completed Class XII through NIOS,
scoring 46%. The Principal informs that though Indu Bala has not been
a topper in academics, she had a strong determination to take up the calling
of a nurse. The lack of medical facilities in her village and the subsequent
sufferings of the people led her to choose this vocation. Indu Bala has
now been enrolled in the 3-year General Nursing and Midwifery course at
SOS Nursing College, Faridabad. Four Deepalaya students are already enrolled
at the College and are being sponsored by The Dewan Foundation, UK.
Deepalaya is highly indebted to all supporters who are
joining hands and creating better opportunities for the children. With
the support of many more such Friends we definitely look forward to many
more Joans of Arc blossoming.
HSBC Future First Grant Awarded
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)
has decided to support Deepalaya’s project titled “Integrated
Education Programme in Patpar Ganj Slum in East Delhi, India” through
Future First by donating a sum of Rs.9, 45,200/- for the year 2007-2008.
Future First is a five year initiative at HSBC that is committed to investing
in the education and skill training of a large number of children in need
around the world.
Deepalaya will utilize the grant to improve the quality
of education imparted to a group of children and they will be ultimately
mainstreamed into the formal system of education. HSBC employees will
volunteer their time and be involved in the project.
It is a matter of pride for us to know that from among
the hundreds of applications, Deepalaya appeared in the first lot of 19
short-listed and recommended to the HSBC Global Education Trust, and we
emerged as one of the final six organizations selected.
Annual Day Celebrations
Creative expressions
On September 29th the sun shone bright as Deepalaya School,
Kalkaji Extension celebrated its Annual Day. Year 2007 is special as Independent
India celebrates her 60th year of Independence and Deepalaya commemorated
this on its Annual day. The India that shines has made notable progress
in the field of Science, and Information Technology. However, much of
India is plagued by illiteracy, poverty and ill health. Deepalaya has
identified the pivotal role of education and has been imparting quality
education to the under privileged children, especially the girls.
The program started with the lighting of the lamp by the
Chief Guest Mr. Subhash Khuntia, Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource
Development, GOI, Mr. K.V. Thomas, Mrs. Mary Mathew, Usha Pramodan (a
parent) and Rajni, a Deepalaya student. Rtn. T.K. Mathew, welcomed everyone
and talked about Deepalaya’s journey, its achievements. The Principal,
Ms. Shikha Pal gave a power point presentation of all the activities during
the year 2006-07. Neetu, who had just returned from Namibia related her
experiences eloquently. The entire day’s cultural program was suffused
with patriotic theme. Awards for academic excellence were also given away
on the occasion.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Khuntia, spoke about Deepalaya as
a unique school. He said that it was high time we understood the transformative
and equalizing role of education. He congratulated Deepalaya teachers
and students for their high level of motivation. He praised all the award
winners and urged all the children to perform well as each had the potential
to win in life.
Rotarian Mr. Sawhney, expressed the sentiment beautifully
when he said that the experience of coming to Deepalaya school was as
elevating as going to a Gurudwara - a place of worship.
There has been a highly appreciative letter from Mrs.
Indira Narain, a donor, which is attached to this Newsletter.
Remembering The Teacher
The taught teacher
September 5th saw the students of Deepalaya Schools
donning the mantle of teachers as they celebrated Teachers Day. The
students meticulously prepared cards for all teachers, displaying their
respect and affection. Senior students dressed as teachers handled the
classes– thereby giving vent to their aspirations to become teachers
themselves. The highlight of the day was a cultural program organized
by the students.
| Newsflashes |
Honour for
Rtn. T.K. Mathew
Rtn. T.K. Mathew, Secretary & Chief Executive of Deepalaya
received the ‘Manava Sewa Award’ on 29th August. The Award
has been instituted by the Mar Thoma Church and is awarded annually “to
renowned people for their outstanding contributions to the Society, especially
in Socio-Economic-Religious fields”. Every Deepalayan is proud of
yet another feather in ‘Deepalaya’s Cap’.
Educating The
Girl Child
Colveta/DIDI Fashion B.V, a retail company in ladies fashion,
has entered into an agreement with Deepalaya for supporting the education
of 100 girl children for a period of four years (primary school level).
They have extended support to the tune of Rs. 10 lakhs per year. The project
is being implemented at the Deepalaya School, Gusbethi (Haryana). Deepalaya
is grateful to Mr. Ashok Rana an ex-employee who referred
us to Colveta.
Imbibing Life Saving Skills
A training program on Medical Aid was conducted for high
school students by the Embassy of Israel and Ritanjali, an NGO in collaboration
with Palestenstein Institute for Research in August. 30 students (both
boys and girls) from Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extension attended. The
topics covered included infant and adult resuscitation, hemorrhage control
and medical dressing. On the final day handling of burns, animal stings
and bites, fractures etc were also covered. An overview of the entire
training program was also done.
Knowledge Through Newspapers
Regular school curriculum does not have general knowledge
and current developments built into it. To raise the awareness level of
the events taking place around the world as well as to make the reading
an enjoyable habit, students of Deepalaya Schools, have been encouraged
to subscribe to the Hindustan Times and Times of India. The Schools have
been receiving the curriculum support package which is adding value and
a new dimension to classroom teaching.
Errata
In the last issue of Deepalaya News we had referred to
“UTI Foundation” and their contribution of Rs.1.26 crores.
The correct reading is “UTI Bank Foundation” and the amount
is Rs. 1.89 crores. We regret the errors.
Netball takes Neetu to Namibia
Naz Foundation has been conducting netball practice
and leadership program since 2006 for Deepalaya’s girl children.
They have played matches with NGO Aligaon and a team from Standard Chartered.
The girls showed that they had picked up the nuances of the game well
by beating both the opponents. The crowning glory was that extrovert Neetu
was selected to participate in the conference on “Sports for Development”
at Namibia from 18-21 September 2007. Neetu has been with Deepalaya since
LKG. Her father is petty shop keeper and her mother a housewife. She has
four sisters and a brother. Her parents have been very cooperative from
the beginning and Neetu has a very good rapport with the teachers. She
has completed XII and a 6 months’ course in Computer Hardware and
is currently doing advanced software from Vocational Training Centre,
Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extn. She is a responsible girl and very good
at Rangoli.
Marathon effort against HIV
On 28th October, 2007 Deepalaya would be participating
in the Vodafone Delhi Half Marathon for the cause of “HIV &
Children”, an issue that warrants immediate response. Deepalaya
would endeavor to raise a large sum of money through this event so that
it can contribute to the mitigation of this problem.
Deepalaya participated in this event in 2005 for the
cause of “Girl Child” raising over 11 lacs. This was utilized
in enhancing the enrolment rate of the girl child in Deepalaya schools
to reach 52%. In 2006 the cause was for “Differently Abled”
children and the Rs. 6.5 lakhs raised was used for Special Education,
Counselling, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Referral
Services and Aids & Appliances to 269 differently abled children.
Recognizing the scourge that HIV is and the way it wrecks
children’s lives, Deepalaya is determined to eradicate it. Deepalaya
exhorts socially responsible individuals and institutions to lend a helping
hand to this venture. Interested persons are welcome to utilize the coupons
attached or log on to www.deepalaya.org.
| Letter to the Editor |
I have volunteered with Deepalaya for almost 11 months,
and I have to admit that it has been a very rewarding experience for me.
The friendly atmosphere among the colleagues in the Human Resource Centre,
Janakpuri and the dedication of all employees in the main office as well
as in the project locations are clear indicators of the great work that
Deepalaya is doing.
When working on promotional material or other publications,
each smile of the children on the pictures reminded me of the good impact
Deepalaya’s work has had on the lives of the marginalized and underprivileged.
In the coming years I look forward to see Deepalaya’s
continued service to the marginalized while improving its internal processes,
so that new projects and possible donors can get together easily and quickly.
All in all working at Deepalaya was an interesting and
educating experience worth remembering. Thank You for the opportunity.
I wish Deepalaya and its contributors all the best for
the future.
Björn Klose, Germany
| Alumni in the Spotlight |
I am Vivek Kumar, aged 20, and my father Shri Vishal |
| Colophon |
Published by
Deepalaya
46 Institutional Area, D Block
Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058
Phone : (+91 11) 28525908,
28528263, 28520347, 28525326
Fax: (91 11) 28520546
E-mail: support@deepalaya.org
Website: www.deepalaya.org
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