TOI: Shelf-conscious the NGO way: December 10, 2010

MUMBAI FOR KIDS
Shelf-conscious the NGO way…..Meher Marfatia
Some stores help families shop with a conscience

How would you like to befriend tech-savvy puppies and kittens with their own Facebook and Twitter pages Buy the 2011 wall calendar from PALS (Plant and Animal Lovers Society).Or shatter the myth that only pedigreed pups make good pets,picking up the Lucky Dogs of Mumbai calendar offered by Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) which features families and individuals opening homes and hearts to street dogs.Check out Bombay Natural History Societys (BNHS) Two To Tango theme calendar,with photos of the tiger,elephant,butterfly,red panda and flamingo.

Organisations caring for feathered and furry species we share the planet with stock other gifts popular with city mums as birthday party giveaways.Choose from a colourful array of mugs,canvas bags for water bottles,caps,T-shirts,towels,bookmarks,jute pencil cases and notepads.Get this and much more as you indulge in meaningful shopping at NGOs which kids would grow to love enough to perhaps volunteer for round the year.

Usher in the season of giving at the Akanksha Shops Xmas collection launching on December 19.The store celebrates 15 years of an amazing signature programme called Art for Akanksha.After building a love for the subject among children,the Akanksha Shop has evolved,taking their tremendous potential to its next level.The Christmas collection is an eight-year festive tradition.On sale are attractive kits for children to fashion ornaments and lights,utility items like runners,table mats and candles,personal accessories like clutch purses,hand-painted bangles and blocked printed slippers.While juniors can rummage among origami sets for beginners and colouring books,parents can immerse themselves in decoupage trunks,beaded neckpieces,embroidered dupattas and furniture.

The Akanksha Shop is an example of what is possible if our underprivileged young are given the opportunity to study,build skills,to have choices and dream of a different,better world for themselves.A similar veteran organisation,Aseema partners with the BMC to educate street kids from pre-primary to Standard 10.Extracurricular projects extend stimulatingly beyond classroom studies,artistic talents transform into marketable products like coasters,trivets,trays,cell phone and spectacle cases.Their new calendar with its dot etchings is a real winner,inspired by the childrens recently learnt ancient painting techniques of aboriginal Australia.

Some retail platforms unite the countrys artisans and weavers to showcase family-friendly bric a brac.The cosy suburban outlet,Our Lil Bit,brings together ,terracotta water pots dressing up drab desks,boxes of palm reed and banana leaf fibre.They keep carbon footprints low with a policy urging clients to return used products from the store they want to get rid of,which are then recycled.

The generous citys oldest friends continue doing admirable work.Child Rights and You (CRY) sell quality stationery,umbrellas,hand puppets,kiddy lamps,board games,do-it-yourself sand craft and Warli art kits.Then the reputed Concern India Foundations greeting cards are beautifully designed to waft cheer year-long.Kids of the Jai Vakeel School for Children in Need of Special Care are troopers in the true sense of the word,trained in vocational and recreational activities including the Junior Abilympics (Olympics of Abilities).These challenged children create exquisite wrapping paper,doilies,diyas,hundi holders,bed and bath linen,floor swabs and dusters.

A little discernment goes a long way.When shoppers stop at these stores,they make groups self-sustaining.Such spending patterns spread incredible awareness as well.That small paper label stuck on each product informs and enthuses.It acts as a powerful propeller,a messenger reaching all out.Sparking interest in the issue supported,it gets people to pause for a cause.Speaking to them of skills honed in an environment that spurs on young artists against all odds.Chances are the recipient of an NGO gift will be moved into wanting to find out means to further aid the needs of a particular project.So head out with full wallets,fuller hearts.Because theyre worth it.

Akanksha Shop: 24918869 Aseema Charitable Trust: 26488034 BNHS: 22821811 CRY: 23096845/6472 Concern India Foundation: 22818128 Jai Vakeel School for Children in Need of Special Care: 24701231 Our Lil Bit: 26370011 PALS: 22832955 WSD: 64222838

* GOODY BAG: Youth of Akanksha show off part of the Xmas collection at The Akanksha Shop,Worli