projectwhy's exceptional eight

Long overdue

2011-12-01T20:32:00.000-08:00

This post is long overdue. Mea Culpa. I have not been very present on this blog and the reasons are many: my not so great health, my worries about the future of not only project why but our exceptional eight towards whom we have a long time commitment, our regular funding that does not meet our needs and thus have to be added to every month requiring time and effort. And perhaps last but not the least the fact that our exceptional eight are so well settled in their school that one almost forgets to write about them! But that is a lame excuse for all those have made it possible for these children to have a bright future and who we depend on and are beholden to. I assure each and every one that I will not be found lagging again.

The new academic year started well for all our children as they had all surpassed themselves and made it to the next class with honours. Even Nikhil who was lagging a little made a tremendous effort and was back on course. After a month or so they broke for their summer holidays and with summer holidays came holiday home work. As their parents were not in a position to handle the task a teacher was appointed to help them and Nikhil, Aditya, Yash, Vicky and Babli came to the pwhy centre every day till all work and models were completed. Meher went to the village for some time and her home work was completed with the help of the women centre staff.

Utpal who was going through a terrible phase as his mother has vanished and whose guardianship has been given to me had to do with the rusty knowledge of his good old Maam'ji! We also needed the intervention of a child psychiatrist and medication to deal with his problem. Thank God things have fallen in place though he still has therapy sessions.

Holidays were soon over and it was back to school for the children in early July. Every one was thrilled to be back and find their friends. We met them again in August and September and found them happy and safe. The reports of their teachers were glowing and there was no complaint. In October the children came home for Diwali. It was aslo time to gear them for winters. So there was shopping for shoes and toiletries and the old duvets were aired and packed. They are now back in school and will be home again on 31/12 for their winter break.

the latest snapshots

2011-12-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

Vicky

the gang

the gang again

yash and nikhil

yash

meher

aditya and manisha

meher and manisha

Boy they have grown

2011-12-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

Our gang of eight are back to school after their Diwali break. They dropped by on the way to fetch Utpal and say hello! Boy they have grown. It is truly amazing. They looked happy and eager to go back to school with their quilts, their warm clothes and many stories to share. Yash even had a burn on his leg courtesy Diwali crackers and proudly showed it to me as if it was a battle scar. I refrained from any comment to avoid being a wet blanket.

Manisha was all smiles though she waylaid them for the snap. She was happy to go back to school and meet her friends. Meher was her ebullient self and had her own tales to tell. Nikhil has lost some weight and seemed more active. That is good as I was a little worried about him. Babli was serious as usual, much the big sister responsible for the brood. Aditya and Vicky were poker faced a far cry from their habitual naughty selves, guess it was to impress Ma'am.

Utpal of course was a busy body, making sure all packets and bags were loaded in the waiting car, very much the man of the house. And why not, the only home he has now is mine and he is entitled to after all he has been through. He has truly earned his right to reclaim all he has been denied for long.

There they were with their dreams and hopes. I watched them pensively. Maybe I was the only one to realise how fragile and tenuous their dreams were. They all depended on my ability to secure them. The thought frightened me. It was such a huge responsibility. When the journey began with Utpal it was just a case of force majeure. We had no other option. Then came a man with his set of dreams and four more kids joined Utpal. The man walked away without a word and I was left holding the baby. They became five. Three more were added again because there was no other honourable way. What future did Meher have with her scars and Yash who had been abandoned by all. And when a kind man came offering a future to little Manisha could we refuse. Had we done so instead of being top of her class she would have joined her mom picking rags on the street. So we became eight.

True there are kind people who ensure the fee money. But over the years the fees have increased with the cost of living and fees alone do not meet the needs of a growing child. Those who have kids will understand me. There are shoes to be brought as feet grow at the speed of light and clothes winter ones and summer ones, toiletries, uniforms, books, school bags and more. They have to be fetched and dropped at each school break necessitating two vehicles now. All this adds up, yet all this is needed. And to the cynics before they materialise I would like to say that yes they deserve the best even if they happened to be born on the wrong side of the fence. When you assume a responsibility you go all the way. Selective benevolence does not exist.

It is with our eyes wide open that we decided to educate these children and nothing can or should come in the way of our commitment. So help us God!

another day in paradise

2011-12-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

Got up this morning to some shattering news. A donor we had counted on to carry on our work has rescinded on his promise. This meant we were in deep trouble. In normal circumstances I would have been completely devastated were it not for the fact that I was on a high: you see yesterday wasPTM day and I had been injected with my dose of my preferred stimulant:the smiles and hugs of my eight little Angels. That also meant that their dreams and morrows took centre stage and thus the option of dejection and depression was a no no!

Sunday was a perfect day, a lovely blue sky, a warm sun and the feel of winter in the air. We reached the school early and as it was also result day we headed towards the classes of our proteges. But as we reached the first floor we were greeted by a smart class XI student who requested us to first visit their science project.Needless to say we did and spent time looking at the models and listening to the young voices as they talked about their creations. The models were innovative and interesting and it was a special moment. Then it was time to make our way to each class for the anticipated result. I was a little anxious as any parent would be. Took me back many years when I use to do the same for my girl. But all anxiety was in vain as I got glowing reports in each and every class. Our kids had once again excelled. What a proud moment it was. I signed all the report cards with delight.

Our serious task completed it was time to have fun. We sat in the grounds and all the children came and shared their stories. There were many, each one special and blessed. It was really rewarding to see these very special children happy and brimming with self confidence. A far cry from the day they first entered the school. Even little Manisha had her tales to recount. Then an excited voice told me that the tuck shop was open. All eight kids charged to the shop and had their fill of frooties, chocolates and biscuits. Agastyamy grandson who never misses a PTM when he is in town as UtpalBhaiya is his special pal was having a great time running all over the place and playing with the kids and of course eating all the goodies usually not on his menu! We basked in the balmy mood as long as we could but the clock was ticking too fast and it was time to leave. So goodbyes were said and Agatya gave Utpal a special hug. Did they both know they would not be meeting for some time?

The ride back home was quiet as usual as one was lost in thoughts. The question up most on my mind was undoubtedly: Will I be able to fulfill the fragile dreams of these wonderful kids?

They have done us proud

2011-04-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here are the end of year results of our boarding school kids! You will find a proliferatoin of As and A+s andof remarks like very good, excellent and even outstanding!

Yash

Vicky

Utpal

Nikhil

Meher

Manisha

Babli

ADITYA

from vedic maths to table manners

2011-02-28T16:19:00.000-08:00

It was PTM day last Thursday! This was a an open house working PTM, a little different from the customary ones. This time we were all shepherded to a classroom where the Principal, we were told, would address us. We were given a paper to read, one that listed the school's achievements in the past year and plans for the one to come. I must admit many of us felt that this was a preamble to a fee increase and were a tad apprehensive.

After a long wait as parents were few and slowly trickling in, the Principal arrived and the meeting began. I must admit that we all wished be very short as we wanted to be with the kids. They of course kept passing in front of the opened door trying to catch our eye. But we kept sitting stoically our faces serious. The young Principal began by highlighting the past year's achievements that were many and laudable: the school had been awarded the Best Boarding School in Delhi award and many of its children had won cups and prizes. Then it was time to know about the coming year. We were told that there would be a new gymnasium, a reading and resource centre, space technology classes, vedic maths, tennis football and more. We were also informed about the fact that soft skills would be taught from class III: table manners, telephone etiquette, anger management and more. That is when the Principal gently told us that there would be no added costs and believe you me every one in the room heaved a sigh of silent relief.

The meeting ended and we were offered some refreshment. But we wre all in a hurry to go and hig our kids. It was then time to get the term results - as always the children had done exceedingly well - meet the teachers and staff members, click the customary snapshots and then finally steal some time with the kids. Most of our children's parents had also arrived and everyone sat in the winter sun with their little ones. I too rewarded myself to a few moments with Utpal who was busy playing with my grandson Agastya. We played a little, ate the goodies we had brought and soon it was time to go.

As always the ride back was in silence. I was lost in my thoughts. Just a few years or months ago the eight project why wards that were today thriving and blooming in this school, lived in abysmal conditions. In hovels where you barely had space to move, where manners and tables belonged to another world and you were lucky if you had a plate and here they were all set to learn table manners and etiquette. Wow! What a miracle! My thoughts wandered back to the day when two socialite ladies had expressed their outrage at our nerve to be sending slum kids to a proper school. I wished I could tell them that not only were they in school, but were all set to learn dining manners and table etiquette! Would love to see their faces!

Yes we had made the right decision and selected the best school. These slum kids were on the way to conquering a new world and I knew they would succeed. I must admit I felt smug and could not help smiling.

back to school

2011-01-17T15:59:00.000-08:00

Our exceptional eight are back to school after their winter break. Now it is time for the final term and the final exams. We also cleared their dues till March 2011. Will be posting the details as soon as I have them.

winter PTM

2010-12-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

www.flickr.com

Here are some pictures of yesterday's PTM. You can read an account here.

second term results

2010-09-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

Went to the September PTM. The kids were well and in spite of the rain we had great fun. We also got the results. Meher and Aditya stood first in their class. Vicky's results were a little disappointing but nothing to worry. Utpal and Babli were second and third. Manisha was third and Yash fourth!

the first term results

2010-07-16T06:42:00.001-07:00

from five to eight

2010-07-14T03:51:00.000-07:00

We have gone from famous five, to incredible seven and now to exceptional eight. Yes little Manisha will be joining Utpal, Vicky, Nikhil, Aditya, Babli, Yash and Meher. Manisha's story is heart rendering and I guess once again the God of small things decided to intervene. I must admit that after Yash and Mehar I had decided to put a stop ( at least a temporary one) to the boarding school saga, one that is quite extraordinary to say the least. A simple walk down memory lane brought me to a blog I had written almost 4 years ago, where I had shared what seemed at that time an impossible dream. Like all dreams it was promptly tucked away and almost forgotten. But then the God of small things (GST) decided otherwise. When things looked bleak and almost hopeless, out from the blue came a messenger who revived all dreams, even the wildest ones. It all seemed to good to be true and over and above my cherished dream of planet why, this messenger wanted to change lives of children and we set out to do just that with hope in our hearts. But then the incomprehensible happened. The messenger backed out: the dream seemed too fragile to invest in and I was left holding on to it alone.

In my shaky lap lay not only the future of Manu and his friends, but that of 4 little kids who had been taken away from their homes with the promise of a bright morrow. In hindsight I think the erstwhile messenger was simply God's way of bringing me back to order. I knew that nothing would ever come easy but come it would! No matter how impossible. And miracles came our way, tiny ones perhaps, but blessed nonetheless. Manu was home safe and happy and soon the little children packed their bags and entered the portals of almost hallowed ground: the boarding school. I heaved a sigh of relief. It has been a long haul but one that was worth it. Who knows one day these very kids would become doctors, engineers, stars! Nothing was impossible. I wondered however whether I would be still around to see them.

Five kids in boarding school was more than enough. We still had 10 long years to go. But my friend the GST had other plans in store. Five soon became seven with Yash and Meher joining the gang of five and of course all my resolutions and resolves went for a six. It is true that when I first laid eyes on little Meher, I knew that this kid had no future. Her little face was scarred making her poor wedding material and her tiny hands maimed making her access to skills very limited and yet her joie de vivre was infectious. When a kind soul offered to repair her body I immediately added a caveat: if we did then we also had to give her a way to break the circle of extreme poverty in which she was imprisoned. Meher belonged to a very poor family where the men lived in the city and worked as house painters, the women stayed in the village and the kids played in the nearby graveyard that was the best playground available. It was a stroke of luck, or rather the GST's ploy that she had been in the city the day I first met her!

So six it would be, or so I thought. But then what would happen to the little boy who had almost been adopted by some fancy outsiders and then dropped like a hot potato when they found a 'better' child! You see six had to become seven. And when a kind gentleman absolutely wanted to sponsor the school of another child, another masterstroke ensured that Manisha would be the chosen one! Seven had become eight!

In a few hours little Manisha will be joining her new friends in boarding school. She spent the night at the foster care so that she could be ready on time. We were a little concerned about how she would feel but to our utter surprise she spent the evening quietly watching TV and telling the housemother about her life. Children like Manisha are born survivors. They sense intuitively what is good for them and hold on to it with their heart and soul. I first saw this in little Utpal long ago.

It is a spirit I for one salute. Chapeau Bas! God bless them all!

back to school

2010-07-13T17:33:00.001-07:00

Vicky,Yash,Nikhi,the big friend,Babli and Utpal

The children are back to school. The results as always were stunning. The little ones: Aditya and Meher decided not to pose for the picture as they were busy playing but one of their school pals decided he wanted to be on every snap. Will be posting the results and financials soon.

home for the summer

2010-05-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Our incredible seven are back home for the summer. This time they were sent home in their uniforms! It was nice to see all of them dressed alike. They have also brought loads of homework and we are busy figuring out how we will manage to have it all done. We think that perhaps they will need to come to the project every alternate week to enable us to finish the homework. The little ones, Yash and Meher have less work and so will only need to come a week or so before returning to school.

It was a pleasure to see them, talk to them, share their stories and see how they view their life at school.

God bless them!

a new term begins

2010-04-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the first day of the new term:

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Stunning results

2010-04-09T15:07:00.001-07:00

All our children have passed and are now in their new classes. They have done us proud and vindicated every doubt that some had about their ability to adjust and shine!

See for yourself!

back in school

2010-04-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Our famous five have now become the secret seven! On April 5th Meher and Yash joined the others for their new school term.

back home

2010-03-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

The kids are back home! The fill now go back to school on April 6th in their new class and will also be joined by Yash and Meher!
All fees have been paid till July!

Utpal's fees is sponsored by Enfances Indiennes and paid for the whole year.

the last PTM

2010-03-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

The last PTM was fun. It was a warm sunny day and as the children were not allowed to go out, because of exams, we just lolled around in the sun and ate the goodies we had taken! The children showed off their results and once again did us proud.

utpal and babli

bonding with agastya

a very special day

2010-01-28T04:58:00.000-08:00

The children had their annual day. It was a truly special day and they did us all proud!
Read about the day here.

www.flickr.com

Apologies....

2010-01-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

Apologies for not having written for a while.. The cold weather took its toll on all of us, and me most of all. I guess age speaks..

Our famous five were home for their winter break and then returned to school on the 11th. In time to prepare for their forthcoming annual day. They were all very excited and happy. God bless them always.

The fees for the final term have been paid.

Nikhil

Babli

Aditya

Vicky

back for holidays

2009-12-27T16:28:00.001-08:00

Our fantastic five are back home for their winter break. Lolita, a volunteer from Spain and a mean lenswoman went to fetch them and shot some stunning pictures. Here is a selection.

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a great PTM

2009-12-06T03:25:00.000-08:00

It was PTM day again and once again a memorable one. Aditya, Babli and Vicky stoof first in their classes with Vicky and Babli getting cerificate of merits. Utpal stunned us all by reading out a set of instructions on a game pack without faltering! The children looked happy and content and we spent a wonderful morning with them sharing cakes and cookies.

Here are some precious Kodak moments:

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back at school

2009-10-20T16:38:00.001-07:00

Our fantastic five are back at school. This is a picture of babli, Aditya, Nikhil and Vicky just before they left. You must agree they are looking smart in their brand new clothes!

home for diwali

2009-10-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

The children were home for Diwali for three short days. We bought all their winter gear: quilts, warm clothes, caps socks etc. We had a small parent's meeting and asked them to participate in the purchase of the gear even if it was just a token amount. This was because we have felt it was important for the parents to feel included.

fees paid and winter gear

2009-10-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

We paid the terminal fees of all the children. Will post the receipts as soon as I get them. We were also informed about the winter gear that will need to be bought: quilts, warm undergarments and clothes, monkey caps, woolen socks, jackets etc.

We intend asking the parents for a token participation as we feel it is important that they feel included in the education of their children. Let us see how it goes!

and yet another PTM

2009-10-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

It was PTM time again. In spite of our informing them, none of the parents turned up. Dharmendra and I played parents parents to all. WE went from class to class to get the results and were once again pleasantly surprised by the proliferation of As and A+s! Nikhil was the only one whose result was not really up to the mark. But no cause to worry!

It was a cloudy day and we sat with the children for a long time juts chatting. It was a wonderful experience and real well deserved time off for me.

You can enjoy some of these moments here:

www.flickr.com

another PTM

2009-09-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

There was another PTM yesterday. It happened close to the previous one as the children's examinations begin on the 14th and the children will be busy till early October. Prabin the teacher of the foster care programme, Dharmendra and I attended this short PTM. It was lovely spending some time with the children and seeing that they all lokd so happy.

Here are some pictures of that sunny day

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a special visit

2009-08-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Navin and Megha were in town. After obtaining special permission from the principal, we were able to spend a few stolen moments with the foster care kids at their school. We reached during their refreshment time. It was lovely to see all the kids look well and happy. Babli, Nikhil, Vicky and Utpal were all smiles as they shared their little world. We learned about the dance programme for independence day, the football and flying ring games, Nikhlil's stolen shoe laces and were mute spectators to the case of the missing duster.

Though the children seemed happy to see us, we felt like intruders as they seemed so happy and content in theirs structured world and we were just de trop! Parents are meant to come on PTM days and not just drop in when they feel like. Utpal asked if we had got them some tuck, on hearing that we did (Navin had brought sweets and chocolates) he asked us to leave it with the housemother who would dole it out to them. Armed with that knowledge, the kids bid us farewell and scooted of to their respective classes.

We spent a few more minutes in the school talking to the Principal and having a cup of tea. It was wonderful hearing that all pwhy kids were doing extremely well and were loved by all. WE left with a smile on our face and a song in our hearts.

the PTM

2009-08-23T17:51:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of last week's PTM

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The next PTM

2009-08-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

The next PTM is scheduled for Sunday the 23rd. All the parents have pooled their resources and hired a car and will be going to spend the day with their children. It will be very exciting as this is the first time they will be visiting the school. I will be going too and with get pictures. Look forward to the day!

a phone call

2009-08-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

Talked to the kids yesterday. They are all well and very excited about their forthcoming dance competition and Independence Day celebrations. Will be seeing all of them on Sunday the 23rs as it is the next PTM. Will take pictures!

back to school 2

2009-07-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

all set to leave and...

... get in the car

a final snapshot

before reentering the school world

back to school

2009-07-06T16:07:00.001-07:00

Our fantastic five are back to school:

Waiting for the car to arrive

Walking down the lane. Babli very much the older one takes the hand of little Aditya

Meeting with Utpal minutes before leaving.

peer teaching

2009-07-04T16:31:00.001-07:00

Babli and her class

Nikhil and his class

The three new creche teachers

Vicky and Nikhil were getting impossible at the foster care. I guess with the homework finished and school beginning in a few days, they decided to have a ball. We decided to get them to the creche where they did some peer teaching! Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.

latest snapshots

2009-06-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

Here are the latest snapshots of our four kids

Babli

Nikhil

Vicky

Aditya

last week

2009-06-26T17:10:00.001-07:00

This is the last week before school reopens. Vicky's parents are finally back from the village so he has gone to spend some time with his family. The remaining three will also spend some extra time at their homes before packing their little bags and setting off for a new term.

Time off

2009-06-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy holiday. Soon school will reopen. Final touches are being made to the homework. Here Nikhil, Aditya and Babli are taking some time off!

helping hands

2009-06-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

Nikhil and Aditya decided to help in housework and took on the task of making beds! They did a great job!

Babli and Nikhil

2009-06-05T17:34:00.001-07:00

Nikhil

Babli

Bbali and Nikhil spent the afternoon learning their spellings.

homework can be fun

2009-06-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

Home work can be fun if you do it together!

some numbers

2009-06-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

We have till date received the sum of ~ 300 000 Rs from all sponsors. This has enabled us to pay the one time registration and fees for three months as well as the cost of uniforms.
The cost per child was as of 76 450. The break up is as follows.

Thus the cost of four children amounted to 305 000 Rs.

The following will have to be paid in July, when school reopens:

a summer afternoon

2009-06-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

Kate, a new volunteer spends the afternoons with the foster care kids. They play, do craft projects and above all practice their English.

Showing off their artistic creations!

Vicky posing for the camera

Babli and Nikhil posing for the camera

A spirited game of carrom with their new friend Kate!

holiday home work

2009-05-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

The children are on holidays. They spend the week with us and the week ends with their families except Vicky whose family has gone to the village. Aditya spends the week end with us and Tuesdays with his mom, and that is her day off.

Here are some pictures:

Taking a sweat break during home work

Vicky

Nikhil

Babli

Aditya

aditya and vicky

2009-05-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Aditya and Vicky are with us at the foster care. Aditya's mom works in a beauty parlour the whole day and Vicky's family is in the village. They spent time making thank you cards!

vicky at work

aditya at work

look it's finished

mine is finished too!

saying thank you

2009-05-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Vicky's thank you card

Aditya's thank you card

on the way home

2009-05-16T16:13:00.001-07:00

On the way home the children were full of stories they wanted to share. They told us about their wonderful picnic at the amusement park. the rides and water games and the yummy food and ice cream they had. They also told us about the hamburgers they had for breakfast and all the nice things they got to eat. Each child had a story to share and it was touching and wonderful to see and hear them.

Babli got a little car sick. She always does but we managed to make her feel better. Then we reached the foster care where Babli, Nikhil, Aditya and Vicky got off. Utpal was to go to the women centre. NIkhil and Babli went on to their homes but Vicky and Aditya will remain at the foster care as Vicky's parents have gone to the village and Aditya's mom works the whole day. She will collect him in the evenings.

After a week all the children will come back to the foster care and begin their holiday home work. They will spend week ends with their families. We also plan to take them for a few outings!

summer holidays begin

2009-05-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Our fantastic five are home for their summer holidays. I went to fetch them yesterday and was thrilled to see how fine they looked. Nikhil, Utpal and Babli greeted us at the gate and then we went to fetch their holiday home work!

We then set off to find Vicky. he was busy with is new pals. We collected his home work and then went on looking for Aditya.

Aditya being in a smaller class was in the hostel.

The boys showed us where they slept

and how they slept

It was the time to leave school and go home!

Home for summer

2009-05-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

The children will be coming back home for their summer break on May 16th. Their holidays end on July 2nd. During their holidays they will spend extended week ends with their family but the rest of the week at the foster care as there will be loads of holiday home work to finish. We also plan to take them out a little: museums, parks, a metro ride and maybe a movie!

sneak pic

2009-04-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

Utpal, Babli, Aditya and Nikhil

Dharmendra had to go to the school with some missing papers. It was Sunday and all the kids were busy doing different things. He did manage to find four of them after much effort and they posed for this picture. They are all happy and well and seem to be loving boarding school!

siesta time

2009-04-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

An unexpected visit to the boarding school by one of our staff members caught our kids napping. It was 3 pm and a holiday (Good Friday). It was siesta time for all.

Utpal

Vicky

Aditya

Babli

The camera jammed before we could catch Nikhil who was also pretending to be fast asleep!

off to school

2009-04-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

Our fantastic five left for school yesterday (6/4/09) morning. It was an overwhelming moment in more ways than one. We were witnessing four little lives making an incredible leap and shattering a glass ceiling. They were leaving one life to embrace another: one that had unlimited possibilities.

The past days had seen hectic activity. Clothes being packed, toiletries tagged, shoes polished! Now everything sat on the dining table stuffed in bags. Morning dawned and everyone had an early bath and wore new clothes. A quick breakfast and then a patient wait for Utpal and Dharmendra who were to come from the women centre. Everyone was nervous. Auntie who had been a mom to the four kids for over a year stoically kept her tears in check. Prabin their beloved and always smiling housemaster looked grim. A simple breakfast of tea and biscuits was eaten in silence. Then the call and it was time to go.

Down the stairs and then down the small street to the waiting cars. The bags were piled up in the boot. Utpal had arrived and being an old hand at such farewells quickly tried to cheer everyone up. Then everyone piled into the waiting cars (there were two as two friends had decided to accompany the kids to school) and it was time to go. Aditya the baby of the group broke into a loud wail, all others were unusually quiet. Slowly the cars moved on and we were left standing on the roadside, eyes moist waving a last bye bye.

see so pictures here

www.flickr.com

receipts

2009-04-03T16:34:00.001-07:00

I have all the receipts in PDF files that I am unable to upload on the blog. Should anyone want them please let me know and I will email them.

school and hostel fees

2009-04-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Many of you wanted to know the exact amount of the school and hostel fees. Here is the 2009-2010 schedule:

Was unable to post a better picture. Sorry!

shampoos, hair oils and more of the same

2009-03-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been spent getting the children outfitted and ready for the big day. Yes they all leave for school on Monday the 6th as all fees have been paid! (will upload receipts later) and a big car booked.

Shampoos and hair oils, shopping for shoes and , getting hair cuts. we have all been incredibly busy. The children are really excited and so are we.

babli's first impressions of school

2009-03-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

Babli is back from school for her first break. She is very happy and loves her new school. She had made many friends. She plays football and loves the food particularly the samosas and patties!

Her results are expected on the 6th but she says she has done well and somehow I know she has!

Power to you girl!

a very special day

2009-03-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today Babli and Utpal came back home for a short break. We wait with bated breath for Babli's first impression of her new school and also for her results.

Today is also the day when we complete the admission formalities of Aditya, Vicky and Nikhil. This was made possible thanks to a small windfall that came our way. I am jumping with joy as I must admit I spent many sleepless nights wondering how we would come up with the whopping amount needed to complete the admission.

Thank you all for being there with us on this incredible and beautiful journey of hope.

why fantastic five

2009-03-14T17:27:00.001-07:00

You may all wonder why the blog is entitled fantastic five and not fabulous four! Well though there are four children in the foster care progrmme - Babli, Nikhil, Vicky and Aditya - there is one already studying in school - our little Utpal. Together they make pwhy's fantastic five...

where do we stand today - the ides of March

2009-03-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

A quisk update on where we stand today:

Babli is in school. Her admission and fisrt term fees have been paid. She has been outfitted, her uniforms and books bought. The total cost came to 83 250 Rs.

We need to pay her next term on April 2nd.

Till date we have received 48K Rupees from Asha Canada, 20K Megha and saurabh and 50K from sabrina.

The boys - Aditya, Nikhil, Vicky - still need to be admitted. We are expecting a one time donation that would enable us to meet part of the payment.

more than just school fees...

2009-03-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

The great news of knowing that the three boys have found a sponsor for their school fees is truly huge. Yet there is still a long way to go as keeping a child in school as we all know necessitates a lot more. For the past three years little Utpal has been in school in we have learnt the ropes and know how much more than school fees is needed.

Often these get overlooked and ignored but they remain nevertheless essential. There are some costs that one may call unavoidable: uniforms, shoes, clothes etc and there are some that may look non essential but are those that ensure that every child is given his right to be a child: the pizza on PTM day or the tuck carefully doled out by the housemother.

So in spite of the fact that we need not worry about school fees we still need to ensure that all the add ons are on sched!

This is how it looks:

Books and uniforms: ~ 10 000 Rs
Home clothes for week ends (summer and winter) ~ 5000
Shoes twice a year as they seem to out grow them (school shoes, white PT shoes, bathroom slippers, week end shoes _ sports or floaters) ~ 1500
Undergarments summer and winter: 1500
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, cream, hair oil) 1000
Tuck (biscuits, etc) 1000

Over and above this there is transport component as we have to fetch and drop them several times:
april(term begins) may (summer holiday) july (term begins) august (2) (rakhee) october (2) (dusserah) november(2) (diwali) (2)december (xams) january (term begins)plus a couple of PTMs where we have to go. Each trip costs about 800 Rs and thus the transport cost is about
15 000 or 3000 per child.

On PTMs we take the kids out for the day to the local market at dwarka and the popular demand is Pizza and Pepsi: another 200 per kid

So all in all the add ons would come to about 25 K per kid per
year....

some incredible news

2009-03-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Wow.. I got some incredible news.... Dr Dagmar Berg, a kind lady from Koln in Germany has decided to pay the school fees of three of our foster care children... This is absolutely fantastic.. It now means that what we need to raise on a sustained basis is money for all the add ons: books,uniforms, week end clothes, goodies and treats that make life special and transport.. and of course the one time that hung till yesterday on my head like a Damocles sword.

When we began the journey I wondered how we would manage to complete it year after year till the kids graduated... I prayed hard and the prayers were answered..
Next week we will complete the admission procedure and on April 2 the children will begin their school year. I am overwhelmed!
It would not have been possible without each one of you
bless you
anou

a quick update

2009-03-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

Dear All
Here is a quick update..
Babli is doing great in school.. I spoke to her yesterday and she was
very happy
We are now working towards getting the other 4 admitted. As you know there is a big one time to be paid for ach kid - about 1K US - ! But as always there is always a miracle maker for pwhy kids and we have a donor who has promised a big amount to us and we are waiting for it to arrive to enable us to get Nikhil, Vicky and Aditya in school. Once that is done things will be on an even course. Will keep everyone posted.
anou

babli in school 2

2009-03-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

Babli is in school.. It is a huge moment... We all drove this morning to drop her and as I watched her little determined face I realised that I was witnessing something incredible.. a life being
transformed..
here are a few pictures:

babli and utpal in school

babli in her dorm

ps: the first step has been taken.. and though the road is long and arduous I know we will overcome!

a mom's folly

2009-03-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

aditya went home for the week end and came back with a gajhini haircut... his mom who works in a parlour decided to make him look like a star. poor boy! mom do the darnest things sometimes!

babli is in school

2009-03-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

Babli is in school.. you can see her hear waiting in line with Utpal for their morning refreshment. It was indeed a very special moment that I have shared here
We paid the admission dues, the first term and the uniform charges. It came to 75 K rupees.. a whopping amount but most of it is one time!
The reason why babli has been admitted before the others is because the school felt that she could join in class II and then sit for the exams and be promoted. This way we gained a year!

We will now be doing the same for the three others as and when we get the funds!

I will post the receipts as soon as I get them

The journey has begun

anou

republic day

2009-03-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

On January 23rd the kids celebrated Republic day in their school. Here they are all set and ready to go!

testing times

2009-03-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday our incredible4 - a great name for them - went to their new choll for the dreaded entrance test cum interview. They were accompanied by Prabin their house master. We had requested that bablu be given a class III admission test as she has lost many years on the way. She did appear for the test and the school principal felt that maybe we should send her to school now so that she can join class II and sit for the finals in march.

We are still debating the issue and I intend making a visit to the school to discuss the matter personally.

The children will be admitted to the following classes:

Aditya : prep

Vicky: class I

Nikhil: class II

Babli class III??

Fingers crossed

You can read an account of the testing day here.

2009-03-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Dear All

Welcome to the project why fantastic five blog

The idea of this group is to share with all those who have reached out to help four extremely vulnerable children break the circle of poverty and get the best education possible the day-to day activities and special moments of the journey these four incredible kids are embarking on. They fill join little Utpal and thus become project why's fantastic five

First of all I need to thank all of you for having believed in this project and for having found it in your hearts to support it.

This project was not one we had envisaged or one we planned. It came to be after a set of unforeseen events that did seem a bit incomprehensible when they happened but in hindsight it was perhaps the God of lesser beings that was opening doors for these four children.

here are some blogs that retrace the genesis of this project

New vistas, new dreams

tiny pioneers

everything is a great question

breakfast at tiffanys

it tolls for thee

There is a new world waiting

butter would not melt

wondrous are his ways

a unique ptm

to the manner born

You can find out more about the children here

babli

a tiny woman of substance

three steps forward

vicky

life in a 1000 rupees

aditya

salt sugar and...