Cheryl Braganza
MUMBAI, JUNE 12, 2008: The staff and children of Maria 
Ashiana, Lonavla, organized a rally on May 28, 2008, to raise awareness against female foeticide. Starting from the organization’s premises at 10.00 am, the rally covered Tungarli, Kumar Resort Chowk, Shivaji Puthala, Bhangarwadi and Valvan. The children of Maria Ashiana performed a street play to spread awareness among the public about the importance of the girl child. Other NGOs in Lonavla, namely, Manshakti Kendra, Varsoli, Bal Anandgram and Ashish Bhavan (Kunegaon) demonstrated their solidarity with regard to this issue through their active participation. The highlight of the rally was a speech by Mr. Furtade, the Sub-Inspector of Lonavla Police at Shivaji Puthala, regarding the constitutional remedies for preventing girl child abortion, sex discrimination and prenatal scanning for sex determination. A summer camp was conducted by the Shelter staff in the Vashi Naka slum community (Chembur). Held for the purpose of c
reatively and constructively engaging the children and youth during their summer holidays, the camp elicited enthusiastic participation from the children. Not only did it offer a platform to showcase the children’s inborn talents, but it also simultaneously strengthened the bonds between them. The entire planning, arrangements and preparations for the camp were managed by the children with the staff providing overall supervision and support. Easily available materials were collected by the children and utilized during this camp. Games like kho-kho, langdi, cricket, lemon and spoon race and activities such as story-telling, drawing and skits ensured that interest levels and participation remained high. Prizes were distributed to all 20 participants at the conclusion of the summer camp as a measure of our appreciation for the children’s efforts.
Ashiana, Lonavla, organized a rally on May 28, 2008, to raise awareness against female foeticide. Starting from the organization’s premises at 10.00 am, the rally covered Tungarli, Kumar Resort Chowk, Shivaji Puthala, Bhangarwadi and Valvan. The children of Maria Ashiana performed a street play to spread awareness among the public about the importance of the girl child. Other NGOs in Lonavla, namely, Manshakti Kendra, Varsoli, Bal Anandgram and Ashish Bhavan (Kunegaon) demonstrated their solidarity with regard to this issue through their active participation. The highlight of the rally was a speech by Mr. Furtade, the Sub-Inspector of Lonavla Police at Shivaji Puthala, regarding the constitutional remedies for preventing girl child abortion, sex discrimination and prenatal scanning for sex determination. A summer camp was conducted by the Shelter staff in the Vashi Naka slum community (Chembur). Held for the purpose of c
reatively and constructively engaging the children and youth during their summer holidays, the camp elicited enthusiastic participation from the children. Not only did it offer a platform to showcase the children’s inborn talents, but it also simultaneously strengthened the bonds between them. The entire planning, arrangements and preparations for the camp were managed by the children with the staff providing overall supervision and support. Easily available materials were collected by the children and utilized during this camp. Games like kho-kho, langdi, cricket, lemon and spoon race and activities such as story-telling, drawing and skits ensured that interest levels and participation remained high. Prizes were distributed to all 20 participants at the conclusion of the summer camp as a measure of our appreciation for the children’s efforts.