President’s Report for 2018-2019 – Child Welfare Committee
Beneficiaries:
Bhai Bhandarkar Adaresha Machhimar Vasahat, Machhimar Nagar, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai – 400005
Ongoing project:
RCB Lighthouse Project was inaugurated on August 9th. This project is positioned as a beacon of hope and learning for little children from KG to 4th standards from the Bhai Bhandarkar Machhimar Nagar fishing community at Cuffe Parade. Already, about 120 children have been enrolled against our planned admissions for 50-60 children. English and life skills will be taught through innovative and fun methods like art, activities, drama and play acting, stories, songs and audio visuals. We have introduced a very significant feature in this programme and that is prior knowledge testing which is conducted by an outside non related agency to make a prior baseline assessment of the level of children at present, This will be imperative if a future impact assessment has to be made in a relevant manner. Various extra-curricular activities, field trips, excursion visits, etc. were conducted under the Lighthouse Project. Few important one are below:
- Stefan Haves, director of the renowned troupe Cirque Du Soleil visits Lighthouse class. A live performance was held, followed by interactive session with the children.
- Museum on Wheels visits the Lighthouse Project
- Poetry Workshop conducted by Sakshi Singh at CSMVS.
- Sensitization session with CIT Young India – Project Masoom
- Yoga, meditation and memory enhancing techniques session every week at Lighthouse Project.
- Mock Supermarket at Lighthouse
- Trip to KIDZANIA education Centre
- Attending Christmas Party at CCI
- Visit to Bombay Port Trust as AGAR Upvan Garden
- Visit to Kala Ghoda Art Festival Upcoming projects planned for the Year:
- Maharashtra State Women’s Council – We would look at partnering with MSWC towards the Asha Sadan Project that helps mentally and physically abused children and girls who are homeless and require counselling, medical assistance, nutritional help and other aid.
- Salaam Baalak Trust – Serving street children for 25 years, SBT works closely with various stakeholders including education institutions’, NGOs, Trusts, etc. We intend to partner with Salaam Baalak Trust towards their life skill development programme that would empower hundreds of children with an analytical aptitude and soft skills that are essential in any part of life today.
- Umeed, and some other well-known NGOs that work with autistic, mentally-challenged and underprivileged children. Keeping our vision of undertaking holistic activities through our committee, we plan on reviewing these NGOs as they could offer some fantastic potential opportunities to partner in.
