BIS Correspondent – Lonavla
LONAVLA, AUGUST 29, 2010: Maria Ashiana, Lonavla organized an Orientation Program on August 28, 2010, for the field staff of some NGOs from Mumbai and Pune. It brought together many like-minded players who shared about their works and discussed on how they could avoid an overlap of services.
The service of home placement, which is being done by all the organizations, was thought of routing children in these situations to one NGO whose special focus would be on repatriation. The rest would send their children to them. With regards to referrals to each others NGOs, would best be done keeping in mind their special area of expertise. This meeting helped to acknowledge, understand each others works for vulnerable children as well as to strengthen each others organizations with their exchanges.
It was a good opportunity for the NGOs to experience the spirit of Maria Ashiana with the children, to see the place and learn about their programs. Bro. Mathias in explaining about the program said, "This is not a centre where we lock the children, tell them they are drug addicts who do not have a future. This is a fun place; we organize and celebrate as many programs, festivals and occasions as possible. Besides the serious sessions, we have celebrations like the Month of Mary, Diwali, Don Bosco, Christmas; for that entire month we organize various competitions, like drawing, talent, salad making, cooking, projects etc." Bro. Anil added, "We try to tell them not to look at the past. That they are not the rags they pick up on the streets, but that they are a diamond that is polished and kept ready to go to school, for training or even to return back home.”
This meeting was also an occasion to follow up on the Social & Financial Inclusion Meet that was held in Mumbai on August 25. Financial Inclusion stressed the fact that it was not only about saving money in a bank with a no frills account like SBI Tiny, but it also meant sourcing income generation means, sourcing out Government schemes, Insurance policies specially designed for the poor and making use of technology to bring these means to their doorstep. The making of PAN cards and its procedures for the underprivileged and for those from vulnerable children's institutions was discussed in detail.
All NGOs present showed a keen interest in following up with the Don Bosco Research Centre on this issue to make it available to their beneficiaries. The meeting ended with some fine performances by the children for the NGOs representatives.
LONAVLA, AUGUST 29, 2010: Maria Ashiana, Lonavla organized an Orientation Program on August 28, 2010, for the field staff of some NGOs from Mumbai and Pune. It brought together many like-minded players who shared about their works and discussed on how they could avoid an overlap of services.
The service of home placement, which is being done by all the organizations, was thought of routing children in these situations to one NGO whose special focus would be on repatriation. The rest would send their children to them. With regards to referrals to each others NGOs, would best be done keeping in mind their special area of expertise. This meeting helped to acknowledge, understand each others works for vulnerable children as well as to strengthen each others organizations with their exchanges.
It was a good opportunity for the NGOs to experience the spirit of Maria Ashiana with the children, to see the place and learn about their programs. Bro. Mathias in explaining about the program said, "This is not a centre where we lock the children, tell them they are drug addicts who do not have a future. This is a fun place; we organize and celebrate as many programs, festivals and occasions as possible. Besides the serious sessions, we have celebrations like the Month of Mary, Diwali, Don Bosco, Christmas; for that entire month we organize various competitions, like drawing, talent, salad making, cooking, projects etc." Bro. Anil added, "We try to tell them not to look at the past. That they are not the rags they pick up on the streets, but that they are a diamond that is polished and kept ready to go to school, for training or even to return back home.”
This meeting was also an occasion to follow up on the Social & Financial Inclusion Meet that was held in Mumbai on August 25. Financial Inclusion stressed the fact that it was not only about saving money in a bank with a no frills account like SBI Tiny, but it also meant sourcing income generation means, sourcing out Government schemes, Insurance policies specially designed for the poor and making use of technology to bring these means to their doorstep. The making of PAN cards and its procedures for the underprivileged and for those from vulnerable children's institutions was discussed in detail.
All NGOs present showed a keen interest in following up with the Don Bosco Research Centre on this issue to make it available to their beneficiaries. The meeting ended with some fine performances by the children for the NGOs representatives.