By Emily Parkes | Programme Officer
Dear Friends,
This quarter we at Reaching Hand have focused on the futures of our children, from ensuring quality education that is built around each of our children's needs, to raising funds and awareness to build them a permanent home. Please read on!
Thank you!
A Shining Start at School
For Tanu, Indra and Shree who recently joined the New Home family, it was School for the first time in June. They are all attending the local Capstone Community School, where they receive the best individual support and attention so they may learn important basics such as English and Maths at their own pace. They are responding in a great way, and have already picked up a great deal of English! It has been a pleasure for all the staff and minders to see how easily they have adapted to their new surroundings, friends and teachers. They simply love school! They have found the teachers are very kind, with few in a class they get undivided attention and even learning is taught in a fun way!
For Shashi and Bhavana (also studying in Capstone Community College) it was a significant shift from a Kannada and Telugu Government school to an English Medium School. In their words - "Now we wait for each day to go to School!" Every morning is met with a brilliant smile.
All five of the children acted in an English skit (short play) on Independence Day.
Sneha won the first prize and Praveena won the second prize in Solo singing in a Competition at St. Michaels School. Jyothi also sang during the Independence Day celebrations at Brighton School.
Taking on the World with His Next Steps...
Our first boy in college, Chuimayo is thoroughly enjoying his time at CMR College, Bangalore. Chuimayo is fascinated by Science, and is currently studying Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Maths and French. He has recently been selected to be a part of his School`s football team, and has already participated in matches against other local colleges!
Toccata – A Musical Extravaganza for Reaching Hand!
Over the last 3 months, the Reaching Hand Team focused on our event ‘NOSTALGIA’, presented by the Toccata Musical Foundation based in Ireland. “Toccata”, a group of professional and semi-professional UK based musicians, features Top West-End soloists and a UN recognised orchestra. United in the mission to use their collective talents to help support charities such as Reaching Hand, Toccata performed for our cause on the 2nd and 3rd August in Chowdiah Memorial Hall.
A huge team of over 70 musicians, singers and dancers came to Bangalore to perform some classic songs from ABBA and Elton John to a traditional Kenyan song – Malika!
The event raised money for the construction of a permanent home for our children at New Home. At present the New Home is situated in rented buildings. It will also allow expansion so that we can care for 50 more children in need.
In their performances, Toccata worked with our children, incorporating them into their performances with the opening and closing acts! A small team of three Toccata performers spent a week working with our children, practising songs and dance and working on their performance. The children were thrilled to be a part of it, as well as watching a brilliant show!
If you would like to help build a permanent place for our children, please donate today!
Coming Up….
We are fast approaching Daan Utsav (formerly known as the Joy of Giving Week) which takes place every year in the first week of October. Daan Utsav is India's "festival of giving"! Launched in 2009, the festival is celebrated every year, in the week including Gandhi Jayanti, (October 2-8), and brings together Indians from all walks of life, to celebrate "giving". It is a celebration of people giving their time, money, resources and skills back to society through volunteering, donating and fundraising.
Reaching Hand is taking part in several events and activities during Daan Utsav, including ‘Under the Stars’ on Wednesday the 1st October bring in the festivities! Under the Stars is happening for the second time in India and is an event that invites people to take up the challenge of sleeping rough for a night without shelter in the city. This is in support of, and to raise awareness for those who face homelessness across India.
We are also looking forward to holding our first ever Reach Inter-Corporate Charity Olympics on Saturday the 11th October. After such a great response to our 2 previous ‘Goals to Goodness’ football events, we are now adding an array of sports for participants to take part in, including, football, basketball, cricket, volleyball and throwball!
To be updated regularly on our events and happenings at Reaching Hand, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Once again, a huge thank you to you all for encouraging us and supporting our children at Reaching Hand. We urge you continue carrying that compassion and care for our children in need… together we can make huge changes in their lives and reach out to many more who need it!
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