Re: 2 new messages in 2 topics - digest
Sourabh Bora
Dear Friends,
You may remember my first mail to this group asking for pointers to Orphanages in and around Bangalore. Thank you for your response and for giving an opportunity to spend a wonderful day at "Nammane" yersterday..
"Namma mane" ( meaning namma=ours ,mane=home) is run by ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING SOCIAL ACTION ,APSA( http://www.ashanet.org/arizona/projects/APSA/Apsa.html) is situated at a 'not so good' area of Bangalore. APSA focuses on the development of the community of the urban slums, Street children, Child labourers and Children in distress (child victims of prostitution, Abandoned children, Runaway children etc.).
Namma
mane houses around 200 children, in the age range of 4-16 years. The
housing, donated by the Japanese utilizes the limited space and is well
maitained by the organization and the children together. The funding
comes from the Norwegian government along with other sources. I and my
friend decided to sponsor the evening snacks with a few sweetmeats. We knew it was
too humble a contribution, but we wanted to interact with the
children, who braved conditions harsher than most of us can imagine.
I was an amazing experience, to interact with the children, to ask what
their dream is. The fact that I do not speak Kannada and Telugu
fluently, never came in the way of this interaction. The school,
called "Dream School" is very beautiful, the kids have decorated it
with handicraft, paintings etc. To me it looked no different from a
expensive private school. The classwork is informal. Because most
children had left school after 1/2 years of education and then
they directly join class 7 here. They are as smart as any other kid of
their age.. All they need is a sense of self respect and a motivation
to rise high in life.. They were very curious what we software
engineers do..and how come I came all the way from Assam! One guy
enthusiastically gave his e-mail id and asked me mail back at the
earliest!
There is a vocational training institute, teaching tailoring,
Electrical and computer diploma courses. They even make components for
a electrical export company and most get good employment.
When we went a child was kept in a separate room, after being rescued
from a very influential person's house. He was very scared and
confused. I the lady caretaker was taking care of him like
her own child.
Here is the address of the place if you wish to visit it.:::
Address: 34, Annasandrapalya, Near Airport
Vimanapura, Bangalore-560 017
Tel: 2523 1719
I am sorry to accept that I am not following the discussions going on in this group at present.My busy schedule only lets me skim through the long emails and I find them more on policy making than actual action ( This is the case with any organization in its natal state). May be once these things stabilize we will be able to see more action, and scores of reports from every corner of India of the impact made my we, the awakened generation.