Parichay updates for Oct. & Nov. 2009

In last two months we have been able to conduct and complete awareness activities at school level and community level in one of the targeted area. I am sending you a presentation giving you glimpses of few of the activities.

In the coming two weeks there will be orientation and training program for the surveyors & community leaders and the first phase of survey will start in area I from 10 December 2009. Before that pamphlets and handouts on mental retardation will be distributed in area I.

As a result of awareness drive in this area people have already started contacting us with mentally disabled kids. Case histories are being prepared for such kids and counseling and guidance sessions besides assessment of the kids are going on.

Deepawali Stalls

This year 16 stalls were put in 10 days in various corporate houses. Sale of Rs.1.10 lakh, almost double as compared to last year’s Deepawali sale, was recorded. This year we got a bulk order of deepawali gifts from one of the corporate house as well.

Like last 3 years volunteers from BITS Pilani took the products on consignment basis and put the stall. Sale of Rs.3060 was recorded.

Solar Lights for Parichay kids

In collaboration with Cosmos Ignite systems, 25 solar lights were distributed among Parichay kids. These lights have given a great relief to the kids from the pressure of finishing their school homework and assignments before the sunset as electricity supply in the area is quiet irregular specially at night.

With the availability of solar lights, we are planning to restart night classes for working youth and women of the community, which was at halt since last one year.

Solar light proved like a boon for Gyanodaya (the new centre which is based 4.5 kms away from the main centre) as that area does not have power supply at all. We have also increased the duration of classes at Gyanodaya.

Cutting and Tailoring Classes

In the month of October Cutting and tailoring classes have been reintroduced at Parichay. Rani, who was trained at Parichay three years back and later was sent to do diploma in cutting and dress designing, is conducting classes for the community women. Rani has already become financially independent, she works in handicraft unit of Parichay and does job work for an export house as well.

The classes are conducted thrice a week.

Formation of Community-level Committee

In the month of September 2009 a “community-level committee” was framed at Parichay. Members of women group, youth group and senior kids of Parichay are playing an active role as committee members. Monthly meetings are held and future plans and functioning of Parichay is discussed and responsibilities are distributed among the members for the forthcoming month. Proper record of proceeding of the meetings is kept in the meeting register.

Masalas from Parichay!

Almost 5-6 years back, I found AID Delhi website and uploaded my parent's name as volunteers. Both of them being doctors wanted to get involved,help and contribute to the society.

My mom and dad were invited by Vijay bhiaya for doing a medical examination of the kids and that's how I came to know about Parichay and Vijay Bhaiya. I still remember how happy mom was when she came back. She had bought a pen stand(which she still cherishes) and some masalas.It was a huge step for her as she had always believed in home made masalas!!!!

She used them and became a big fan of the masalas. The flavor and aroma was awesome and they tasted just great and so pure.... and there in began an association which has grown over the years.

I also use them and such stuff is just not available in the market. I never bought any amchur powder, dhaniya powder or jeera from the regular shops. Its always been Parichay and I know it would remain the same....
I vouch specially for Parichay's raita masala, yummy........you would have never tasted something so good!

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Festivities at Parichay (Sept. 2009)

At Parichay religious issues are not discussed. But to move beyond close-minded boundaries Parichay celebrates all religious festival at the centre. On Friday,18th September Roza iftar party and beginning of navratri festival was organized.

The last Friday of auspicious month of Ramzan is celebrated as Alvida, which is the most important day of fasting for muslims.

'Navratri' is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar. 'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night'. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) These days represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman. This idea moves on Navratri to be a social festival at Parichay rather than merely a religious one.

Beautiful traditional wall sculpture of goddess Durga with cowdung, mud, cloth and paper was made by community’s elderly ladies and senior kids of Parichay. Senior members of Swayamsiddha Mahila Samooh and elder kids cooked delicacies like potato, Brinjal, Onion Pakoras, whole gram chat, fruit chat, moong dal halwa etc. for Roza Iftar Party. Senior kids from Gyonodaya, members of Parichay youth & women group and NFE III kjds enthusiastically participated in the event.

Navratri celebration will be on at Parichay for next nine days. Kids are planning to stage Ramlila at the centre in dance drama form.

My association with Parichay

Parichay is non-profit rather better to call as Vijay Bhaiya dream to social service organization, working towards a self-reliant independent society come true. Located near shahdara area in Delhi. It’s continuously working for the improvement of child education, Literacy, resolving rural issues and development, quality education, supporting underprivileged families and their livelihoods, fighting against child marriages.

To support this in addition to the undeterred dream of Vijay Bhaiya are networked and dedicated volunteers many of them not only spend their time, resources and energy but also share their skills teaching them to these students who are so much loving and fast grasping. Cultural exchange programs, awareness on HIV/AIDS and no of education trips are also a part of this program aimed at the organization’s mission and vision.

The funding mainly comes from the in-house product sales as designed, manufactured and created by these little creative artists. Along with this a noble initiative taken by a few of society to sponsor the education of these children helps them to join regular schools too. Charity is not the concept of working at Parichay making these people high at self-esteem.

Many of these students and their families have acknowledged the love for them showered by these noble people.

I Wish them Good Luck and best blessings for all the cherished dreams and aspirations of these little stars and the team behind.

regards,
Navneet Somani

Requesting you to Support us for Deepawali Stalls 2009

Parichay Catalogue

Hi Friends,

I have been a regular volunteer with an organisation called Parichay for about 5 years now. Parichay aims to mainstream underprivileged kids into regular education, as also to impart them vocational training. You could make a wonderful difference to their lives by allowing them to showcase their products to the world around you. Here’s an opportunity for you to do your bit, to make a difference to the world around you, (without having to step out from your workplace). J

With Deepawali round the corner, I’ld request you to reach your organisation (HR/CSR department) and have a word with them to allow us to put up a Deepawali stall. The kids at Parichay have prepared some wonderful items – such as diyas, floating candles, gel candles, pooja thaalis, torans, and several other items.

Most of us aren’t able to volunteer because of the paucity of time and several other commitments that hold us back from such activities. Here’s a simple gesture to reach out to masses and convey that you care for the communities around you.

The draft given below catches a glimpse of activities at Parichay. You could have a word about Parichay to the HR/CSR department of your organisation, and forward the following draft. You could also reach me to discuss about Parichay’s initiatives at puneetac@gmail.com.

We would like to be introduced as:

Parichay Abhigyan Society, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) working with a deprived community.

Parichay started its Bal Vikas Kendra (Child Development Center) in April 2000. Mr. Vijay Bajpai started working for a closed community in Tukmirpur area near Bhajanpura in East Delhi, where most kids never attended a school, and the ones who were able to attend the local state-run schools, were by and large de-motivated given the deploratory condition of such schools.

Started with 9 children, we are now a family of 60 children and their family members; teachers and volunteers, who have helped us in numerous ways. Parichay’s vision is to effect the personal and the social development of children, youth, and adults of the community. 

With the progression of our relationship with the community, which comprises of either Hindus or Muslims, including rickshaw pullers, carpenters, cobblers, hawkers, drum players, embroiders, and laborers working in small industrial units, we strive to:

• Promote listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and physical fitness.
• Promote means of self-expression and to contribute to mental and physical health.
• Cultivate traits such as discipline, courage, devotion, respect and confidence.
• Promote the sense of worthy use of leisure time.
• Develop a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and helping others.
• Develop the sense of brotherhood and friendship.
• Develop proper understanding of hygienic habits and proper food nutrition.
• Acquire knowledge and skills of safety and first aid.
• Develop creative thinking.
• Help the children to realize the importance of good and bad.
• Develop an attitude of co-operation, sportsmanship, fair play, and team spirit.
• Develop leadership and self-reliance.  

We have kicked off several projects like Non Formal Education, Masala Unit, Vocational Training, Handicraft Unit, to name a few. Some of these involve training and creation of many beautiful handmade items by children and women of the community keeping the quality of the products intact. The list is an endless one but few of them are:

Handmade paper bags, Potlies, Handmade paper folders, Cloth folders, Pouches, Posters, Photo Albums, Pen Holders, Diaries, Greeting cards, Shagun envelops, Magazine Holders, Lamp shades, and Printed books etc.

Deepwali specific items include diyas, candles - gel, floating, regular candles, gift packs, torans, chocolates, pooja thalis, and many more.

Thus, we would like to seek your permission to put a stall in your organization of these items. 

Thanks and warm regards,

Puneeta

Know about Parichay: http://www.parichayonline.org/  

Project Gyan Ganga Awareness Drive (Sept. 2009)

Awareness programs at school level under awareness phase of Gyan Ganga project on mental retardation have been initiated and are moving in full swing in the local schools of the area. Senior kids of non formal education program, community teachers and other volunteers accompany Vijay Bhaiya to the programs.

They engaged school students in several group activities to inform them about various types of disabilities, and how such kids need to be dealt with. Aids like flip charts, posters etc were used for presentation of concepts. Various group activities are being done with the students to make the program more interactive and enjoyable.  Besides students the principal of the school, teachers and other staff members are taking active part in various activities including group discussions.

Students
came up with stories about some mentally challenged kids residing in their neighborhood. They were advised to bring details of such kids and to motivate the parents of such kids to contact Gyan Ganga project’s office for further consultation, advice and guidance. Parents of mentally challenged kids have already started turning up for guidance and counseling. Kids are taking active part in slogan and essay writing competition. They hanged and pasted their posters on the notice boards and walls of the school building.  Short Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) sessions are held for kids to ascertain their awareness level on issues related to mentally challenged kids. Prizes will be distributed to those who demonstrate exceptional knowledge. Parichay also plans to involve such kids in the awareness program.

 

Teacher's Day Celebrations at Parichay (5th Sept 2009)

Parichay independence day 2009

Independence Day was celebrated at Parichay with great enthusiasm. The whole program was planned by senior kids and women of Swayamsiddha Mahila samooh. Delicious lunch comprising Chana masala, Aloo dum, masaal Kachori, veg biryani, boondi raita and shahi toast was cooked by senior kids and community women for more than 140 kids and community people. Kids from Gyanodaya were also present to celebrate the day. Flag hoisting was followed by cultural program presented by kids. Kites were distributed among the kids at the end of the day.

July updates

Gyan Ganga project for mentally challenged One of the chief objectives of this project is to create the necessary awareness on issues related to mentally challenged kids. We intend to create the necessary awareness among teachers, students and school authorities, so that they can identify such kids and refer them to Parichay. The initialization of the project has been already delayed by three months. The project was scheduled to start in the month of April 2009, as the schools in India can indulge in extra-curricular activities only in the month of April, when the new session starts. While AID has approved funds for this project and the first instalment of the same was transferred in the month of December 2008, the project could not be kicked off due to some technical (bank-related) problems. We received the first instalment in the month of May 2009. At that time, all the schools were having summer vacations and hence the awareness program got delayed further. As a result, we could start with the initialaization process of the project in the month of July. Meanwhile during summer vacations, we finalized the list of schools to be targeted and have started contacting the targeted schools. The awareness program at school level will now start after 15th August. A group of 10 adolescent boys and girls is ready to support the activities at school level. We are ready with presentations, handouts and flip charts. A team of community workers has been finalized and the team members will soon attend an orientation-cum-training program in the last week of August. The total budget of the project is 2.63 lakhs, we have received a support of Rs.1.52 lakhs from AID Pittsburgh. We still we need to arrange the rest of the funds (i.e. Rs.1,11,000). Another organization, New Life Centre, working in the area of physical and mental disability has happily agreed to render technical support needed in our project. For assessment and referral cases of the kids with mental retardation, we are trying to establish a tie up with various other organizations. Rakhi stalls During the month of July 2009 kids were busy in designing and making rakhies for Rakshabandhan stalls. Total sale of Rs.39,590/- was recorded from stalls at Mentor graphics, XL Gurgaon, STM, and CSC (Noida). Parichay volunteer Himanshu and senior kids (Rani, Jaseem, Bulbul, Roshnara and Radha) played an active role in putting up and maintaining the stalls. Rakhies amounting to Rs.5,000 were supplied to other buyers and organizations. Community ladies and other senior kids shouldered the responsibility of smooth functioning of routine activities (Non Formal Classes, Masala unit, Embroidery unit, Nutrition program etc) at Parichay, while Vijay Bhaiya was away from the project. Requirements at Parichay As always, there is a paucity of volunteers at Parichay. With the kick off of new project and responsibilities, the need for volunteers is felt more strongly than ever before. Volunteers are also required to teach English and Maths to the sponsored students who are enrolled in regular school. Both computers at Parichay need repairs.

Parichay - Rakhi and Handicrafts stall at CSC, July 2009

Parichay July 2009

Parichay June 2009

Volunteer Meet at Parichay march 2009

Gyanodoya