We’re back in Spain once again after spending some time in Pune the past holiday season, and full of satisfaction in view of ‘our’ children’s progress.
Many of the children at the Day Care Centers, and all of the children at Yashodhara Shelter, now have the required academic level to receive traditional schooling in Indian government schools, and are attending classes daily with other children their age. After class, they take advantage of the academic support they get from the teachers at the DCC’s and the Shelter, in order to cope with their schoolwork. All of them were completely at ease in our company, approaching us openly and uninhibitedly, showering us with caresses and smiles, and showing great curiosity and participation in the activities that we had for them.
Since the middle of October/08 to the middle of January/09, there have been several initiatives launched from Spain aimed at having a positive impact on our beneficiaries’ lives.
Itzíar Onatibia, our Volunteer dentist, left for Pune in October to check and treat the children’s and their relatives’ mouths and teeth. Not an easy task, since working conditions there often put her patience to the test. Nevertheless, all obstacles – from dental material that ‘disappeared’ from one day to the next, frequent power outages, obsolete premises and equipment (which we couldn’t bring over from Spain), to patients who didn’t always show up for their appointments – were overcome during the three months that Itzíar worked with true dedication, and during which she earned the friendship and gratitude of the people she treated.
Though the Oral and Dental Care Campaign 2008 was a success and another intervention in this area won’t be necessary in the near future, we plan to go on with dental treatments. In fact, a few of the children will need to have braces put in.
Montse Álvarez, our technical Project Coordinator, was in Pune from October to December to monitor and evaluate our Projects on the spot – an important task that adds credibility and professionalism to our work.
From December 20th on, Ane Mujika, also from Spain, gave pottery and painting workshops to the children, which lasted done week each. The children were delighted to explore new possibilities in arts and crafts, and became quite proficient with the new techniques after a few days.
More recently, Tritoma S.L. from Madrid donated a much needed van to Asha-Kiran Shelters Foundation. With it, we’ll be able to run countless errands for which we formerly depended on public transportation in Pune, so we are very thankful for their generosity.
Finally, Asha-Kiran participated in two flea markets in Spain – one in Arroyo de la Miel, Málaga, and the other one in Plaza de Lavapiés, Madrid. They both lasted a month, and the funds collected from the sales of Indian articles went to our Projects, as always. MANY THANKS to all the Volunteers who backed us up in these endeavors, as well as to those who came to India to assist our children in taking new steps in their development process.We urge you to take regular tours of our blog and our website in order to be informed of our ‘whereabouts’. We wish you the best in the coming year and are delighted to have your presence and support.
Until soon,
Fundación Asha-Kiran 