Education & hope for 165 needy children in India

Reaching Hand is a registered Charitable Trust started in 1996 to work with vulnerable children, marginalized women & deprived families empowering them to lead a life of hope, self-worth and dignity. It envisions an empowered future for all by acting as a catalyst for social change. Empowerment of children, women & families from weaker sections of society through quality education, health care and skill development is the key focus of Reaching Hand.

About NEW HOME - A child protection and care centre

Homeless and impoverished orphans in rural & urban Bangalore are in need of care and education. When children lose their parents to an illness like AIDS or in accident working in the construction sites or because of alcoholism, a relative generally takes in the child and cares for them. When no relative is able to care for a child, they are forced to live on the street and for that child, all hope is lost. Life is hard enough for a child when steps into the street. Poverty in childhood is a root cause of poverty in adulthood. Impoverished children often grow up to be impoverished parents who in turn bring up their own children in poverty. In order to break the generational cycle, poverty reduction must begin with children.

Bangalore has an estimated 75,000 street children among that 85% are orphans. There are a combination of those on and off the street and those who are completely abandoned. They usually live in groups in self-dedicated areas of Bangalore. All of them are subject to severe kinds of exploitation, physical, sexual or financial. Substance abuse, high-risk sexual behavior and non-availability of basic services are issues of immediate concern. We believe that if a child receives adequate and timely services & intervention then they can kick the habit, and become sensitive. Our frequent interactions with the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) and the advocacy of our work with developmental agencies have led to the development of a strong, collaborative relationship with the government.

The children of New Home; are from broken homes, without or with single parents who is financially destitute, or because of weak or non-existent relationships with parents or step parents. They all need security, nurturing, guidance, and protection as they prepare for responsible adulthood and productive citizens.

Currently, Reaching Hand has two child protection and care centre both for boys and girls separately. At present the Home has 21 girls & 25 boys among them 7 are orphan, 8 have  single parent and rests 30 are vulnerable. The children of New Home range from 6 to 12+ years of age. They attend English medium schools, and are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, dance and even access to computer peripherals. The houseparent and staff help the children with homework; direct them toward responsibility and high ideals of love, discipline, support and example as well as guiding them through teenage struggles.

The goal of the Homes is to nurture, guide, and inspire children to be honest, have a healthy self-image, and become productive citizens of country by hold fulfilling jobs, care for their fellow man and live a life of dignity and pride.

The children of New Home had an absolute year as they could continue to reflect all the happiness that they have got throughout last year.  We are very happy to see children getting excellent opportunity to celebrate their childhood which would not have been possible without the support of donors like you.

All our kids thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Vacation. They attended a Christmas party where they had a blast, with fun games and lots of eats. The organizers were all out to give our children a great treat.  They returned back with lots of gifts. A trip to KFC was the icing on the Cake during this celebration time.

Playing to their heart`s content they could not even think about getting back to School, but they reluctantly marched to School wondering why all the good things in life have an abrupt end. We encourage every children to follow their dreams and we shape their dreams by creating opportunities for them. About 15 of our children are also undergoing Football Coaching. Some of our children are also learning the keyboard and guitar. It is our desire that they excel in the area of their talent .We try to equip them in every area so that when they get out into the world they are in no way inferior to the other children.

Recently their School conducted a Spelling Competition. They had to learn a whole long list of words and spell it out. Some of our kids decided not to take the trouble but few of them took it seriously and won the Competition. Our Little Chaitra is thrilled because the other kids got only certificates while she got a story book and certificate.

An Inter School Athletics Meet was conducted by KPMG, at Kanteerva Stadium recently, wherein 124 Schools participated. Chuimayo, Charan, Punith, Bharat and Umesh won silver medals in the under 14 and under 10 categories.

As if this was not enough, Chuimayo and Monisha did us proud again by winning silver medals at the Star Trek Inter School Meet recently. We Praise God for their fantastic performance and  and we are more and more convinced that they are Leaders in the Making. Positively thinking....maybe one day our children may represent India at the OLYMPICS!

The First round tests are over and the shocks and surprises in marks are happening (Hindi and Kannada marks are always a shock). Most have done well in the respective papers.

Chuimayo our 13 year old child was diagnosed with epilepsy, about three years back. He was on medication since. Recently after an EEG Scan the doctor said he could discontinue his medicines which is a great relief especially for him, since he simply detested taking it. We thank God for this healing.

One of our boys Surya (12 year old) managed to get into his Green House Football Team. Their team has won the finals, and we are all happy for him. All of them ask us for prayer before they go for any match, and sometimes it is very difficult to console the losers. I presume they will learn to accept failures also as they move on.

Monisha won the Elocution Competition conducted recently in School. Our little Sarala all of four years was a very shy child till last month. Suddenly we see a different girl...she has become very confident and is presently teaching the 5 and 6 year olds some dance steps she picked up in School.

The other day it was Blessy`s birthday. Four children sleep in a room and on that day the girls of Blessy`s room would not open the door. Finally when they did the three girls came out in a row followed by the other girls in a single file and Blessy stood last. Each came out into the Hall and as Blessy entered they screamed HAPPY BIRTHDAY and sang for her. They even decorated Blessy`s room too.

It is fun watching them grow ... and there is always so much to write about.

Manjunath is improving in leaps and bounds. Every time he comes home from the Special School Hostel we see him getting remarkably independent. His teachers are also very happy with him. Asha Kiran Special Needs School had their Annual Day where Manjunath is studying. Most of the Staff decided to be there to encourage our Manju. He was overjoyed when he saw us. All the children did their best. I truly salute the teachers for not only managing the challenged children but also getting them to act. It must have been a herculean task.

Manjunath was WISDOM in the play and every time he came on stage he made sure we were looking at him. Needless to mention that our eyes were glued on him. We came away feeling so thrilled, as we thought of the progress he has been making over the years. As we travelled back together with Manjunath, It was a wonderful sight to see him pampered by all the Staff in the vehicle.

Reaching Hand is dedicated to provide protection and care to the children who are neglected, abused, or in need of a home and family.  We care for these children without regard for race, religion, culture, national origin, or financial or social status. Many of our children have experienced such severe degrees of abuse that they face difficulty in adjusting to a “normal” home life. Our approach to children starts with a fun filled counseling and carried away with an affection love.

The children are attending their annul exam and we hope that by next report we will be surprising you with their results. Please uphold them in your prayer.

Continue to encourage us in our journey through your support so that we can able to make difference in their lives by giving them the best thus making productive citizens so that they can live a life of self worth and dignity.

Links:

• http://www.reachinghand.org/articles.php