back for holidays

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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another PTM

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

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

Here are some pictures of last week's PTM

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The next PTM

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

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

all set to leave and...

... get in the car

a final snapshot

before reentering the school world

back to school

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

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

Here are the latest snapshots of our four kids

Babli

Nikhil

Vicky

Aditya

last week

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

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

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

Babli and Nikhil

Nikhil

Babli

Bbali and Nikhil spent the afternoon learning their spellings.

homework can be fun

Home work can be fun if you do it together!

some numbers

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

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

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

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

Vicky's thank you card

Aditya's thank you card

on the way home

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

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

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

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!