Maher, Pune : Newsletter for April – July 2006
MAMTADHAM & AASHAI (Home for Women)
April was a happy month, as the children had started their summer vacations. The housemothers were overjoyed at the prospect of spending more quality time with their children. Two housemothers along with 10 children spent 10 days at Dr. Thukrals house (a good friend of Maher) and had a great time there. One of our housemothers, Sylwanti made a new beginning in matrimony on April 16, in Maher. The wedding was attended by all the children, women, staff and well-wishers of Maher.
Given the value of meditation, a 10-day Vipasana programme was held for the new housemothers. The Housemothers also had a day of relaxation to unwind on the 26th May when they went for a picnic and had a good time. Then it was back to serious work, with a 3 day evaluation cum training programme organized for them from May 27 to 29.
Sylwantis elder sister Carmin, who was with Maher for 8 years and a very popularly loved person, also tied the knot on June 24. It was quite a memorable day for all of us here. The children especially had a great time dancing, as all of us were part of Carmens happy day. Of course, there were all the merriments of a happy wedding day, sweets, food and new clothes. Since awareness is the first step, there was an awareness program on Cancer with the help of slide shows. The program was organized by Cancer Patients Aid Association. As the season of festivities begin, the newcomers (inmates) were imparted training in the making of greeting cards, Rakhis and other products made at Maher. They were all given cooking classes.
Mr. Argemiro Fernandes, (friend of Maher) gave a donation of Rs.5,00,000/- for the new house (Premankur Balsadan) at Kesnand Village, Pune.
We are also very pleased so say that we were successful in rehabilitating many inmates either with their loved ones or in suitable jobs.
KISHORDHAM (Childrens home)
Summer vacations are a happy time for the children. Our girls who are studying in Aurangabad and Sevasadan came to Maher for their summer vacations. Many recreational programs and hobby-developing classes to hone their skills were organized for the children in different houses.
June 1, happens to be Ms. Hiras birthday (Senior staff loved by all) and it was celebrated by the children with gusto. As the new academic year began on June 12, new admissions were granted in various schools (English and Marathi medium) for 62 children. Schoolbooks and stationery items were distributed amongst the children. It was a proud moment for us at Maher, when 3 of our children passed their S.S.C Board exams with above 70 %. Two children who had appeared for the H.S.C exams also passed their examinations.
On June 4, Sr. Lucy was felicitated for her exemplary work at Maher by Snehalaya. She was awarded the late Pramila Dandawate Women & Children Service Award 2005-2006. The function was held at Ahmednagar district and was attended by the senior staff from Maher.
All the children and women were vaccinated for DT and Hep. B on July 2. We are very grateful to Dr. Ganla and his team of doctors for their great support. Guru Pornima is a festival when students show their respect to their teachers. At Maher, children gave their teachers a hand made thank you card. July 8 was an outing for the children. They were given pocket money, which they could spend on whatever they liked. The Brothers from De Nobili College and the Divine Word Seminary (Pune) started an English-speaking course for children. Ms. Eva from Austria takes computer classes for children in the evening, while her compatriot Mr. Karin helps Sr. Lucy with office work and also conducts yoga classes for children in the evening. Anapana (mediation course) for children is held regularly.
On July 31, our children performed a dance drama on the life of Mahatma Gandhi organized by the Sangam World Centre. Their performance was highly appreciated.
VATSALYADHAM PROJECT (Home for mentally disturbed women)
At present, Vatsalyadham houses 40 mentally disturbed women. Our social workers brought in two new women from the street in the month of June. The physical and mental health of our women is slowly improving with the care and love of our dedicated staff . They now take part in daily chores and even show interest in learning different activities. We have succeeded in resettling two women in their respective homes. We are now trying our best to resettle three more . We make it a point to send the women home (the ones who regain their mental stability) for a holiday with their loved ones.
On May 5, Sr. C.T. Theresa along with 14 other sisters spent a day with the women. They indulged in activities like singing, dancing and having a nice conversation with them. The women from the home enjoyed these activities. May 25 was a picnic day with an outing arranged to Alandi and Chandrapool garden. They all had a great time and enjoyed playing in the pool. They were also shown a Hindi comedy movie.
PRAGATI PROJECT (Awareness program in villages)
In Morwadi and Kasarwadi villages, our social workers organized an AIDS awareness programme and another one to highlight the ill effects of the practice of dowry. The message was clearly conveyed through songs, posters and street plays. Nearly 250 people from different age groups attended the program.
In the month of May, hobby classes were held for children in the different villages. The children were made aware of the importance of education through songs, games and hobby classes. They were taught to make useful article out of waste material. The children who made interesting items were rewarded. These classes were attended by 120 children and they all benefited from these classes.
PRODUCTION UNIT
We had a huge order in hand for 1000 cards from Austria. This kept the women in the production unit extremely busy. Orders kept pouring in for items like scented candles, crochet bags, fragrance sticks, mehendi, utni (face scrub) and shikekai (hair shampoo). The new items added in the production unit were beautiful crochet skirts, tops and mobile covers. The order and sale invoice is systematically maintained by our women in a record book. In June, a sale was especially organized for Maher by Kanbay. It was a productive day with Rs. 9,000 worth products being sold. Now the word has spread about our products and there is a great demand for them locally and internationally. Diana, a Maher well wisher and friend took many of our products to Mumbai for sale and she got a good response there.
H.S.B.C (Bank) organized a sale for our products in the month of July. The sale brought us Rs. 20,957. For Rakshabandhan festival (where sister ties a band on her brothers wrist) our women made many beautiful Rakhis.
We are encouraged by your interest in our products, as this makes our women economically independent.
SELF HELP GROUPS (Swavalamban)
Our social workers are doing a wonderful job in the upliftment of the villages through SHGs. At present 15 SHGs are functioning in different villages. We can proudly say that, many more SHG were started at Shikrapur , Bhima Koregaon, Apti and Kendur.
Our Social workers have helped and guided the SHGs on how to procure loans from the bank. They were imparted training on different subjects like sanitation, womens role in the development of villages etc. In the month of July, Self Help Groups organized two programmes i.e. plantation of saplings and cleanliness of surrounding areas. Children who ranked I and II in schools were felicitated by the Self Help Groups. Village authorities and Bank Managers were present on this occasion. Special tuition classes for poor children were also started.
In July, a Cancer Awareness Program for all the Self Help Groups in various villages was held.
Maher has been beneficiary of the generosity of many good friends like you. We all are very grateful to you and look forward to your continuous support and encouragement.
(Volume No 5 August – November 2006)
We can do no great things, only small things with great love–Mother Teresa
As we write this report, we remember with joy and gratitude all our friends who have helped us in our work with destitute women and children for the last ten years.
Main Events at Maher
We took part in a signature campaign and rallies for childrens rights & against child Labour.
The Childrens Day program was sponsored by HSBC at Maher on 11th Nov. with gifts, chocolates and good food. Mr. & Mrs. Ignacio Vera and the team from HSBC were kind enough to join us at Maher.
Two of our children got selected at the State level for speaking on the Rights of Children at the India Social Forum. One of them-Gouse got selected at National level.
Independence day (15th Aug.) , Raksha Bandhan(tying of a silk thread on brothers wrist by the sister) , Ganesh Chaturthi (installing Lord Ganeshas idol & 10 days of celebrations), Teachers day(5th Sept.), Sister Lucys Birthday(10th Sept.), Mahatma Gandhis birthday(2nd Oct.), Diwali(festival of lights) were celebrated with enthusiasm.
Mentally disturbed children from Navkshitij Institution visited Maher.
There are 20 projects under the umbrella of Maher all are bubbling with activities.
MAMTADHAM (Home for Women)
Seven of the women were rehabilitated during this period. The work on the production unit has started; it is a building to house the manufacturing activities of our women.
AASHAI (Home for unwed mothers)
Every month we have some new admissions and we look after them till they have delivered. While at Maher they take part in the activities & help in the ongoing work.
KISHOREDHAM (Home for children)
Anapana meditation (One day course) was held for children. A talk on sex education was given to older children by a doctor.Yoga classes were also conducted. Ten children took part in Pune International Marathon & two of them won prizes. Some children were invited by well wishers to their homes during the festival season.
VATSALYADHAM (Home for mentally disturbed women)
Out of 43 women 3 were rehabilitated during this period. The inmates were entertained with a movie -Harry Potter which they enjoyed very much. In smaller groups of 10-12 these women are sent for an outing with the social workers.
Long cherished dream of a home for mentally disturbed women is coming true. Bhoomi puja (ceremony to start building) was done on 29th Nov by village leader.
SUKH SANDHYA (Home for destitute aged women)
There are 8 aged women, staying at Vatsalyadham at present. One of them takes care of the Poultry farm with 15 Hens, other 3 help in the kitchen and also help the caretakers in looking after the mentally disturbed women.
PARISHRAM (Vocational training workshop)
We got good support from the corporate sector. Our products-greeting cards, candles, crochet bags & dresses, curry & henna powders, paper bags have been liked by people and orders are continuously placed with us. We also get an outlet for sale in company sponsored events. HSBC, Sangam girl guide center, Kanbay, Quinoxx, Rotary club, Pidilite Industries have all helped us in our sales.
SWAVLAMBAN (self-help groups)
We have 151 Self-Help Groups working in different villages. Every month many new SHGs are added.
Work undertaken:
1) Tree plantation-300 planted.
2) Street play on Chikun Gunia (an epidemic viral infection).
3) Rally for shortage of Kerosene and cooking gas in the villages.
4) Seminar on Drug-Addiction
5) Easy availability of Bank loan.
6) Building toilets in the villages.
7) Micro financing & self financing at the village level.
DNYAN GANGA (Libraries in rural areas)
52 members avail of this facility. Cultivating reading habit among children and adults took little time.
PREMALAYA (Day-care center)
Seventeen children in the center at Thakarvasti are looked after well by the Housemother and periodically checked by the nurse at the Primary Health Center.
VIDYADHAM (Outstation children)
Two of Maher children are undergoing training as electrical wireman and a mechanical fitter. Their expenditure is borne by Maher.
USHALAYA (Kindergartens)
The kindergartens (14) in different villages are regularly visited by the Social worker-in-charge for the evaluation of the teaching method through songs & stories. Teachers home visit to convince the villagers to send the children for classes.
PRAGATI (Need based awareness programs in villages)
With the help of the Self-Help groups in the villages awareness programs are organized on health and sanitation, abolishing dowry system, eradication of superstitious beliefs etc.
SWACHATA (Vermiculture pits)
Training about the usefulness of Vermiculture pits was given to 60 women in different villages.10 women from the self-help group have started the project.
KALASAGAR (Open school for the Drop-outs)
There are 3 students under this project, 2 for Std.Xth and 1 for Std.XIIth.
VIDYALAYA (Tuition classes)
Sincere efforts are being made to convince the villagers to send their children for tuition classes.
TANTRAGYAN (Vocational training)
Maher being a short stay home, the training is an on-going program. Training in Candle making, Crochet bag making was given to Self-help groups in the villages.
EKTA (Free provisions for needy persons)
1st Saturday of the month, essential items e.g. Grains, pulses, sugar, Oil, salt etc are given to about 8-9 needy families.
LOKMANGALA (General Outreach)
Maher always helps people in times of need and natural calamitiesTsunami, Earthquakes etc.
AADHAR (Job placements for women and youth)
The social worker assigned this responsibility takes a lot of effort to place them in different job opportunities.
KARYAMANDAL (Administration)
The administrative office looks after the administrative needs of the organization—co-ordination with others, accounts, projects, public relations etc.
Maher needs to shift its city office & we need help to find a new office.
The 10-year celebrations are to be held next year-The programme details will follow. The dates are 3rd. & 4th. of Feb. Those of you who wish to visit Maher during that period, please let us know so that we can make arrangements.
Bank Details
For People Abroad: Maher, Current Account No. 0-608061-703, CitiBank,
2413 East Street, Kumar Capital, Camp, Pune 411 001 (India)
For People In India: Maher, S B Account No. 034104000033202, IDBI Bank Ltd.,
Kalyani Nagar Branch, Pune 411 006 (India)
Maher, S. No. 1295, Vadhu Budruk, Tal. Shirur, Dist. Pune 412 216 (India)
Tel: 91-02137-252174; Fax: 91-02137-253839
Administrative Office Telephone No. 020-27030705
Email: maher@pn3.vsnl.net.in or maherpune@gmail.com
Please visit us at: www.maherashram.org