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To donate to this Family Care Foundation Project, please note Project NAME and then click here. Education Development Programs Children have been our main focus as a follow up of the tsunami tragedy, specifically the local school system. In an effort to strengthen their educational standards, we provide seminars to local teachers where the children are schooled. Teachers from over 35 schools have attended these seminars.
Since a school is not just buildings but the sum total of its students and teachers, we concentrated on an emotional healing program after the tsunami. This involved educating the students in cultural programs using music and drama. A special seminar was conducted for the teachers to create awareness and sensitivity to the children's emotional needs.
In addition to the teacher training each school involved is presented with audio vision materials, books, songbooks and other auxiliary material. Books were given to Periyar College to make up for the loss of children's books and records swept away in the tsunami. Notebooks, schoolbags, pencils and other school materials were also provided. Additionally, quality material was distributed to five schools to provide school uniforms for the students.
All the walls of the primary school building in Thazhanguda village walls, inside and out, were repainted after the water from the tsunami had laid waste to them. We also provided and erected playground equipment, one at a school and another in a village park, providing local children with permanent playground facilities.
Renovation of Francis Xavier School for Tsunami orphans St. Francis Xavier School was established more than a decade ago with the goal to educate the children from the local fishermen community. At that time the principal personally visited local villages to meet with parents in an effort to encourage them to send their children to school regularly. Over time, the school grew to a size of 1,100 students, 70% of them coming from the 13 surrounding fishing villages.
In fact, the number of students grew to a point that they outgrew the available building, and so several classes were being held out under the trees. The school staff also struggled with insufficient sanitation facilities.
In the aftermath of the tsunami, Family Services India provided a new building that added eight new classrooms. Additionally a large auditorium was constructed which also serves as a community hall. Check out more about the work of Family Services India in the following archive articles:
Promoting Volunteerism Family Services India organizes volunteers who in turn "adopt" some of the institutions FSB work at. After a brief orientation process, these charitable individuals are encouraged to create their own styles of giving and often get local merchants and other supporters involved as well. One such outpouring of affection had bakeries, restaurants and theaters donating lunches, snacks, games, activities and movies to over 100 orphans, age 5 and under. In addition to the fun they had, the children received personal time and attention from adults-something they all crave.
These volunteers spend much time preparing games and organizing events for the children who live at the orphanage. However, what looks good on paper… When dealing with children five and under, what you plan is not necessarily what you get! But the volunteers know that, like life, the unexpected challenges can also be the most educational and rewarding.
All in all, a day as described above proves to be lots of fun and a time of real bonding with the children. Who benefits more--the kids or the adults--is often hard to determine!
Special days for special kids As one of our friends termed it, "It was a carnival with a difference!" 600 underprivileged children, including orphans, deaf and /or physically challenged kids, from 10 different institutions and schools enjoyed a fun-filled Children’s Day celebration.
The grounds at International Teck Park were turned into a carnival with camel and pony rides, 20 carnival stalls of games and prizes, bouncing castle and a variety of snacks. Another pavilion was set up to teach the children fabric and pottery painting. There was also a corner for music games, an obstacle course, as well as relay races and tug of war.
More than just a memorable day, and an event planned
to show these children that they are special and loved, it was an
invaluable learning experience for all. The goals being:
Many companies reached out to the community and came
forward for this event. It is our prayer that we can continue to
plan and work together with these and other concerned individuals
to continue to have such tremendous efforts.
Another annual undertaking takes place on Indian Independence Day, at which we plan and organize a Sports Meet for hundreds of orphans and/or otherwise disadvantaged children.
These days include activities such as a kite flying competition, relay races, a 100-meter dash, water races, sack races and a Triathlon.
On a given event, Family Services India will serve 400 meals, 700 snacks, and 450 mini-tubs of ice cream.
During the course of the day, we also distribute "prizes" of practical items the kids would use and cherish: coloring books, paint sets, pens, water thermoses, toiletry kits, hair accessories, volley balls, and Badminton and Cricket sets.
The children of Family Services volunteers, formed
a group "The Rays," to entertain the children with dances
and a play. Each child will have memories of this special day for
years to come-not only of the festivities themselves, but the demonstration
that "somebody loves me."
Assisting the Unfortunate
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