Kale Consultants Ltd.- CSR Activities
Catalysts for Social Action (CSA)
Consequent to a decision to participate directly in social welfare, Kale set up Catalysts for Social Action in September 20 that Adoption is the most complete form of destitute child rehabilitation and aware of the fact that in a population of 44 million destitute children, only about 3000 find their way into homes, CSA decided to work on Child Welfare with specific focus on child adoption. CSA’s endeavour has been to increase the number of adoptions in the country. We started on a very optimistic and somewhat naive note; we believed that through extensive promotional efforts we could double the number of adoptions in a span of 5 years. We soon learnt that in reality, things were very different. The entire process was very complicated and in itself, not congenial to promoting adoptions. Also, but for a few exceptions, apathy, bureaucratic ineptitude, power pockets and unethical practices, presented persistent road-blocks. Most importantly, we learnt that to work in the field of adoption, we had, first of all, to establish our credibility- a simple desire to work, was not good enough!!
Into our 51″ year of operation, we have only just begun to show results in terms of increase in the numbers of actual placements. With our facilitation, and through enquiries received as a result of our promotional efforts, referrals, transfers, and placements have now, begun. Most importantly, perhaps for the first time ever, prospective parents from different locations in the country are being directed to non-metropolitan agencies. Effectively, children particularly girls, from non-metro locations are now finding homes with city-parents.
At the instance of the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, we also, started work on a Government Destitute Home. The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra is a Special Care Home for destitute children including children in conflict with the law. 174 children in the age group of 8-18 years, stay here.They are offered education and vocational training. Our assignment here, was to improve the facilities. We set up a Computer Training Centre with 7 work stations providing training on MS-Office and Computer Hardware.We also, commenced classes in spoken English. In addition,we organized counseling workshops, provided recreational facilities and personal utilities.
The last 4 years could best be described as the ice-breaking period and was a learning phase for us. Not being a placement agency ourselves, our efforts had to be routed through registered Adoption agencies in the country. Our initiatives, during the last 4 years were focused on research, awareness and promotion, capability and capacity building, coordination with the Government, coordination with the Adoption stakeholders such as Parents’ forums, Adoption agencies and Adoptees.
Atthe end of 5 years, we now have a clear road map. We are committed to working towards more and more orphaned children in the age group of 0-6 years moving into adoption. Simultaneously, we will work towards more and more economically backward children in the age group of 8-18, finding their way into special care centres. We will enhance and upgrade facilities at the agencies and Destitute Homes we work with, so that the quality of rehabilitation ensures completion. Our approach will be through geographies; we will choose locations and work with a cluster of adoption agencies, orphanages and Destitute Homes on the one hand and with, the Government departments on the other. Concurrently, we shall continue to work towards bringing the adoption community together and, sharing resources.
2006-07- Initiatives and Achievements
Adoption Facilitation
We worked with 7 government listed Adoption agencies in Marathawada, Maharashtra where we initiated the following:.
Workshops
Workshops on Adoption procedures and Child Care respectively, were conducted in collaboration with the Sunita Gutte Shishu Greh, Nanded..
Microsite for the Marathawada agencies
Amitro site for the seven Marathawada agencies, was setup, providing for the first time ever, complete information on the waiting children and, opening up the opportunity for prospective parents to directly, approach the agencies for placements.
Outdoor Hoardings
Promotional outdoor hoardings were set up in Pune and on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Destitute Child Rehabilitation
We undertook the upgradation of facilities at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra (PJNUK) in Pune.
Computer Software and Hardware training
A Computer Centre with 7 work-stations, was donated by Kale Consultants Limited. MS Office and Hardware maintenance are taught to boys in the 8th,9th and 10th grades.
English Language
English Language classes are also, being held for the school-dropout batch. CSA provides ongoing teaching support for the programme.
Workshops
Workshops on’Education through entertainment’and’HIV/AIDS’awareness’were conducted in October.
Recreational facilities
A volley ball facility and gymnasium donated by Solaris Fitness Club were set up .
Information dissemination
CSA Website www.csa.org.in was completely re-vamped into an information portal on adoption. CSA Chatgroup membership increased to 600+.
Promotion and Awareness
Adoption Awareness Week
CSA has participated in Adoption Awareness Week; 75 children in the age group of 3 to 6 years, from 6 adoption agencies in Pune, participated in a day of fun and frolic.
CSA’s message on Adoption was aired by Radio Mirchi, Pune
Hutch Marathon CSA volunteers and Kale employees, participated in the Social Awareness Marathons conducted in Mumbai and Pune by Standard Chartered Bank and Hutch Essar, respectively.
Adoption-related HR interventions
CSA have written to several corporates seeking promotion of the following Adoption-related HR interventions. Leave on par with maternity.
Time off for adoption
Financial assistance to adopt, provide education and/or medical facilities to adopted children.
Research
Study on Best Practices
“Good Practices in Adoption; A study of Processes and Methods in India” is in progress.
Proposal to set-up a full-fledged Training Centre by 2010.
CSA have initiated work on developing a set of training programmes for different categories of Adoption Stakeholders.
A booklet on Adoption.
The process of developing a booklet on adoption is in Process. This booklet will contain articles from well-known experts in the field of adoption and will be widely circulated.
Corporate/ Retail support.
CSA received/facilitated donations from Corporates/ Retail Houses as under:
Kale Consultants Ltd., set up the Computer Centre for which Kale employees contributed individually. Bonsaii, donated toys, clothes and other utility articles.
Nerolac Paints Ltd., donated paint
Camlin donated water colours and painting material Club Solaris donated equipment for a gymnasium. Clover Technologies donated Rs 20 lakhs to SOFOSH, Pune.
Cybage Software Pvt.Ltd beautified the walls/corridors of Renuka Mahajan Trust, Pune, Captions donated space for our outdoor hoardings.
Nucleus Mall and Sharada Arcade provided the space for holding CSA Garage sales. Wordsmith Communications worked on the concept for the outdoor campaign. Bata Shoes donated shoes.
VIP Luggage Industries Ltd., donated hard luggage.
Contact Details � Kale Consultants Limited
1st Floor, Modi House, Naupada,
Eastern Express Highway,
Thane (W) – 400 602, India
Tel: + 91-22-6780 8888
Fax: +91-22-6780 8899
Email : info@kaleconsultants.com