ASHA-KIRAN IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

PHOTO EXHIBITION "INDIA, EYES TO SEE WITH" IN RENTERIA AND SOLIDARITY DINNER IN RESTAURANT BATZOKI

From 22 March to 5 April, the Delegation of Asha-Kiran in the Basque Country, together with the Department of Culture of the City of Errenteria Town Hall, organized the photo exhibition INDIA, EYES TO SEE WITH in Xenpelar Etxea Exhibition Hall, which showed pictures of children taken by Uttam in India during his travels.

The pictures reflect a desire to reflect the vitality of vulnerable children in India who, despite the difficulties they face every day in their young lives, show trust in having a brighter future; none of them have doubts as to what they "would like to be when they grow up”.

"India, Eyes to See with" is an invitation to see and perceive their eyes and what they express and, at the same time, to open our eyes and acknowledge the vulnerability that millions of children live in; children whose basic rights are violated and who are denied true possibilities of living with dignity.

The exhibition was opened by showing the video "Painting Yashodhara" to the twenty or so people who attended the get-together, and which captures moments in the lives of the children who live at Yashodhara Shelter.

Approximately 300 people came to the photographic exhibition during the two weeks it remained open. According to Junkal, in charge of Xenpelar Plastic Arts Workshop, it was "a big success, taking into account that it was an activity organized by an NGO”.

As a crowning touch, Batzoki Restaurant in Errenteria organized a Solidarity Dinner on March 31; a meal with a caring purpose which almost 60 people enjoyed. The restaurant donated the full collection from the dinner - 1870 Euros - to Asha-Kiran.

We wish to thank all the people who have worked so that these activities could take place, and the people from Errenteria for their generous welcome and participation. Errenteria has been the gateway in the Basque Country to our new Delegation there.

We would like to name them all but there are too many...

An affectionate hug and our thanks to all.

ART-RESPECT

Last March at Yashodhara Shelter, art director Julián Hernández led a workshop in Art and Respect. This way, Asha-Kiran collaborated with artist Jose Maria Moraza, founder of Fundación Respeto, in the work that his Foundation calls "Love for the Universe" and which has been unfolding since 1997.

All the children from the Shelter expressed their idea of love and respect through a Sign-Gesture that they painted on wood without using a pre-imposed pattern – a painted gesture that they acknowledged as their own. When the signs were finished, they were hung up on a wall so that the children can see themselves reflected in their works and come to value their abilities.

We thank Fundación Respeto and Julián Hernández for their energy and dedication, and our children for their enthusiasm and joy, which motivate us to continue working with Love and Respect.

ASHA-KIRAN AT YOUTH WEEK IN TORREJON

Youth Week, organized by the local government of Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) with the collaboration of different youth groups, provides to young and old alike the opportunity to experience some memorable experiences during seven consecutive days. Many and varied leisure and cultural activities, workshops, sports, concerts, exhibitions, competitions, scavenger hunts, etc., make up the program of this event, which is already a benchmark both locally and regionally.

On Sunday April 10, Fundación Asha-Kiran participated at this Solidarity Arena within the framework of Youth Week. A young crowd gathered at the amusement park to enjoy a music and dance Festival where they also had the chance to find out about the social work done by several NGOs through the information booths located in the Solidarity Arena.

Asha-Kiran’s stand organized a Workshop on Education for Aid to Development as well as several activities to raise awareness about the plight of vulnerable children in India. Many young people participated, wishing to become acquainted with Asha-Kiran’s work and contribute, in one way or another, through Volunteering activities.

Our THANKS to the City of Torrejón for providing this public space for participation; our thanks to Andrea and Bruno, who joined us this afternoon, for their dedication and support to Asha-Kiran’s endeavour of building a suitable world for children.