KolKata Mary Ward Social centre OctOber tO December 2014

As we are now in the Christmas season, with all its joy and happiness, the Staff and I extend Season’s Greetings to all at the IBVM, well-wishers, friends, associates, donor agencies, stakeholders and partners of KMWSC across the globe. Your support during this year has helped us on the journey to fulfill our Mission of being the catalyst for social change. We appreciate your support and commitment to our efforts and we are honoured to collaborate closely with you as we try to empower all those children, women and men with whom we work and seek to empower. May the spirit of love, caring, sharing and generosity of this Christmas season be with each one of you. Sr. Monica Suchiang Director

Updates: 1. Brickfield:

Congratulations to the Brickfield Schools Staff: 150 visits to BFS have been made between 1st November and 16th December 2014 We currently have 50 BFS with 100 teachers and several new partner NGOs. A large majority of the BFS work in Hindi, the remainder in Bangla, according to the language used by most children in a brickfield. Old and new teachers all received 4 days residential teachers training here in Loreto KMWSC. Teachers are now writing their own daily lesson plans, using a weekly and full season plan supplied by the team at KMWSC. This is challenging for many teachers, especially for the 45 who are new. A programme of health camps with free checks and treatment for children and adult workers in the brickfields is taking shape. We intend to run health camps in at least 40 locations. We are constrained by shortage of funds, but hope nevertheless to cover all our 50 brickfields with some kind of health service during the current season. Currently we are doing field visits with short training sessions for groups of BFS teachers. Case Study: Raju Sundi – brickfield boy aged 12 years. Raju began to attend our brickfield school at UMA brickfield, Pujali in November this year. He had a swollen and infected foot for more than one year. A little treatment was done by a local ‘doctor’ near the brickfield, to no effect. Since 12th December

Raju is in Hope Foundation Hospital - a charitable hospital, mostly funded by donors in Ireland. We will need to cover the very moderate costs of Raju’s hospitalisation and treatment from our BFS health budget. Raju is spending his life away from his family for the first time. Raju has some school book and writing materials so that he can do some useful study every day while in the hospital.

2. Hidden domestic cHild labour : Multiple activity centres (MAC) Report of convention on the rights of the child Celebrated From 12.11.14 to 21.14.2014 The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. Nearly 25 years ago, the world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential. This year we celebrated 25th anniversary of convention on “Child Rights” where we flagged off the celebration with: 





Auto campaign on 12th & 19th at Tangra, Bibibagamn, Beliaghata Railway, Motijheel, Kamardanga and Rajabazar, Park Circus, CIT Road Phool Bagan, Topsia area. There was continuous announcement in Bengali and Hindi on various clauses of child rights, where approx 800 to 1000 people were sensitized on child rights ensuring that the rights of the children are protected in the society On 14th Nov’ there was children’s carnival where 232 children from all the MAC’s and children for the red lights area Sonagachi and Jyotinagar Colony participated in the programme. Children enjoyed the animation film “Ammu Aman” which showed child protections. Each child received school kits promoting right to development. on 15th Nov we visited Kishalaya Home along with our few MAC children, facilitators and KMWSC staff. Kishalaya Home is an observation home where children are most vulnerable and who are in conflict with law and hence needs special care and protection. Children also enjoyed the puppet show and the Hygienic kits which were gifted, brought in great smiles on their faces.  On 17th we visited Loreto Thakurpukur St. Vincent’s School. Loreto Thakurpurkur caters to around 250 underprivileged children many with single parents who hardly get any opportunities to enjoy! Prayer song and a group dance were performed by the children. 233 school kits were gifted to the children.  On 19th a sit and draw competition was organized for 320 children from 8 MAC’s and few children from the community in their respective MAC’s ensuring the right to participation. The children were able to express their inner talents as they received lot of support and encouragement from the community and the facilitators. There were lovely and attractive prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd winners.

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On 21st we had a big event at the parking place of Sealdah Big Bazaar highlighting the Child Rights issues with various activities. A role play was performed by Daspara ( Nabasata Dal ) MAC children highlighting RTE and Gender Discrimination. Mr. Siddharth the Bengali Singer from the Cactus Band gave a warm speech on UN CRC which reached out to many people attending the programme and the passersby. He sang a song entertaining all present.

The puppet show by Mr. Anjan Das highlighting the 4 basic rights: ‘right to survival’, ‘right to protection’, ‘right to development’ and ‘rights to participation’ through the show. Our 2 girls from the alumni group shared their life experience which helped them to grow; it touched the hearts of the crowd. We are very thankful to Sealdah Big Bazar for sponsoring 75 gifts along with the food packet to the children and above all for providing their entire parking space for the programme.

RegulaR activities of the Mac centeRs: Activities Enrolment of children in MAC

Direct Reach 37

Retention of children in MAC

266 2

Mainstreaming of children from MAC to formal school Training of Life Skills to children attending MAC

115

Enrollment of CDW’s & CL for Vocational and skill building training from MAC

7 CDW and 17 CL

Formation of children groups (members)

13

Meeting with CPC’s

2

Meeting with CGs

7

New HorizoN ( VocatioNal traiNiNg) Activities

Target Area

Orientation for VT candidates conducted from 9th to 15th Oct’14

Tallah, Phoriapukur, Kamarhatti, Alambazar and Daspara in their respective MAC’s

TFD conducted on 28th Oct’2014 by

Motijheel, Kamardanga, and Bedh bagan

Total Reach Orientation done with 44 candidates for different trades 100 – 250 Adults and 20 – 30 teenager were sensitized on child labour issues

TFD conducted on 3rd & 7th Nov’2014

Alambazar, Tallah, Ultadanga and CIT Road

2 Comprehensive Life Skill conducted from 10th to 18th for BT candidates and 17th – 25th Nov’14 for AC & Housekeeping candidates

At KMWSC & Uttar Prantik Club at Baghbazar

50 – 100 Adults and 20 – 30 teenager were sensitized on child labour issues BT started with 17 candidates out of which 12 were selected for MOST, AC & Housekeeping started with 12 candidates all were selected for MOST.

Peer GrouP : We have approached 3 schools namely St. Paul’s Mission High School, Baptist Mission Girl’s High School and Loreto Sealdah and spoke to the Principals, if we can form a peer group’s model in their respective schools. Very soon we will start working on it.

STATE CONSULTATION MEET ON CLprA AMENdMENT On 25th Nov Ms. Christine, Shagufta and Mehtab attended the State Consultation Meet on CDW/CL and CLPRA Amendment Bill 2012 at Golden Park Hotel. The consultation focused with the attempt to develop a joint advocacy plan discussed over four major areas:

i)

ii) iii) iv)

CSO (Civil Society Organisation) roles in prohibiting child labour and CDW’s in line with CLPRA and ICPS Fundamentals on CLPRA and proposed amendments Challenges on implementation on CLPRA and Convergence Administrative and community based mechanism in prohibiting CL and CDW issues.

National Consultation Meeting on Child Domestic Work and Trafficking on 9th Dec’2014 was held at New Delhi India International, organized by save the children. It was attended by the Director and Mehtab Ara along with the child Jyoti Thakur to share her life. The session started with a welcome and objective of the consultation by Dr. Sudeep Singh Gadok, Programme Director, and Save the Children. Ms. Shireen Vakil Miller, Director, Advisory and Policy, Save the children. The session were on Child Domestic workers status in India; on Policies and Programmes on Child Labour and CDW: Challenges; Interstate Departmental Coordination / Convergence while working with CDW. There was an open session where people raised questions on rehabilitation plan for these children. Recommendations and Way Forward was by Mr. Manabendranath Ray, Save the Children.

Achievement Children are being educated with help of TLM

Community teachers make regular home visits so Around 100 homes have been visited that the parents send their children regularly. by the community teachers and mothers are getting conscious about their children’ education Two community meetings were held at Janar Gheri-I and Giri Gheri respectively. The mothers of the children requested us to give training on hand craft which would help them earn some money. They also requested for medical camps as their children suffer from disease due to lack of medical facilities.

Total 35 participants attended both community meetings and they have been informed about our activities. They gave positive response.

On 25th November, the Director visited Gosaba to help with the plan of distributing the ideal solar lights to the children. Locally a survey was also made to see what solar lights were available.

The community was very happy to know that their children will receive solar lights. There was a warm welcome from all.

From 1 to 4 Dec. 2014 all our 4 teachers had an interactive, informative and enriching training session with demo classes and theme teaching by Mrs. Flora Chowdhury a very competent ex primary teacher of Loreto Sealdah.

Teachers learnt many new methodologies of teaching the children in holistic approach and they got to know how creatively and effectively children can be taught.

Barefoot teacher training

Directors visit

Home visits by the teachers

Activities Regular classes are being held at four centres wherein children are given learning support the to h develop their competencies. They get an atmosphere where they can learn and respond spontaneously

Community Meetings

Learning support for the children

3. Solar EnlightEn and Community EmpowErmEnt projEct

4. Fisher Folk project in Contai: Activity

Annual Achieve Target ment Activity with children learning Centre Running MAC 6 6

Home visit

300 Children

140

Maintain child profile

300

262

Children admitted in formal school

100

5

Guardian/mothers’ meeting for overall students’ performance

12

6

Community meeting for awareness on RTE

12

5

Meeting of MAC committee

18

9

Develop lesson plan for 12 teaching purpose Conduct art & craft class 30 for students

12 18

Process

The 6th Education Centre at Soula Fishing Centre was inaugurated. The local PRI member, teachers and local fishermen participated. Within 7 km radius there are no high schools. Teachers & supervisor have conducted home visit of students and discussed with parents on regular attendance of students.  Format was developed  Individual profile of students is being maintained by teachers  5 dropout children have been identified at Cheoashuli Sagar Saikat Siksha Niketan (BCC).  With the intervention of teachers the dropout children are now enrolled in nearby school. We have conducted 6 parents meeting at all BCCs. More than 124 parents participated and we discussed on various process of increasing children participation through various activities like drawing, cultural & sports practice, etc. 5 meetings conducted with community people for orientation on RTE at 5 fishing centres. More than 60% women participated in these meetings. 9 meetings conducted where we discussed on the ways to conduct the Children Fair in two places. 12 teachers of BCC have maintained lesson plan on regular basis. The teachers of BCC are training students to make various crafts, using waste materials. This is attracting students and the attendance is regular.

Conduct cultural class for students Take classes for physical education, game & sports Publish wall magazine

30

32

30

16

6

1

Conduct quiz competition Celebration of red letter day through cultural activities

6

2

6

2

Formation of Children Club

6

0

Meeting of children club Conduct Field trip

20 1

0 1

Evaluation of students

4

0

Activity with Adult Learning Centre Running adult learning 6 3 centre Activity with Staff (Capacity building & monitoring) Review & planning meeting with staff Field visit by the Supervisor

4

1

40

21

Teachers Training

2

2

Co-ordinators visit

20

7

Cultural classes are also being enjoyed by the students. Physical education, game & sports are done regularly. One wall magazine was published at Baguran Jalpai Sagar Saikat Siksha Kendra on 16th November, 2014 during Children Fair. During children Fair we have conducted quiz competition at two places. ‘Children Fair’ was organized at two separate places namely Cheoashuli Fishing Centre & Baguranjalpai Fishing Centre. More than 700 participated in this fair. A few of them willingly take leadership for conducting stage management, cultural events, games, sit & draw competition, quiz competition, etc. We have completed primary discussion with children. After the completion of annual examination of children they will form the children’s club. Will be followed by the formation of the club One field trip for the students of Haripur BCC has been conducted. During this field trip the students of BCC collected various leaves and made craft with leaf. Developed a register for maintaining report card of students. Most adult are engaged in fishing activities but we have been able to start 3 adult education centres. 54 adults are present on a regular basis in these centres.

We have conducted one review meeting with staff and the plans for the next year  Meeting with teachers& committee members  Dialog with mothers who are engaged in fishing activities.  Observe classroom teaching  Conduct workshop on making TLM  Conduct community meeting  3 days teachers training was conducted by Anita Deb. For monitoring/ evaluation

5. CHILDLINE: Activities Outreach & Awareness

Achievements 450 – 500 adults and 200 children were sensitized on CHILDLINE services

Phone Testing

40

Case Intervention Home Visit Done Visibility of Child line at Kali Puja CRC week

4 4 Reached out to 300 to 500 120 children and the staff

Process of Intervention Door to door survey distribution of leaflets, posters, stickers. Target groups were School students, community leaders, NGO’s, Police and other stakeholders were sensitized on Childline services, and highlighted on core child protection issues like child trafficking, child marriage, abuse and etc. We got auto drivers, shopkeeper and few passersby and encouraged them to do phone testing from their mobiles, and in crises they should refer to Childline. 4 cases reported: 2 children were provided shelter, 1 restoration to Siwan & 1 Missing Child Home visit done for all the above mentioned 3 children. Follow –up of 1 child will be done by Siwan Childline under their supervision 3 banners were displayed at the Durga puja pandals in different places of North Kolkata Child line Dosti was celebrated throughout the week from 14 – 21st Nov’14. Signature campaign was conducted in where there is child marriage, trafficking and abuse. The purpose of the program was sensitizing the people on “Rights of the Children” and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of UN CRC on equity. We visited Kishloya Home staff and tied dosti band to all the children and the staffs to mark that significant moment. Kites were distributed among 120 children

The Director and Mehtab attended on 21st Nov a Child Advisory Board (CAB) Meeting which was held at the chamber of Commissioner, Directorate of Social Welfare Office at Saltlake City Sec – I. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Some Nath Mukheree, IAS Commissioner of Social Welfare. Members present at the meeting were from different Labour Dept, Juvenile Justice Board, and Representative from UNICEF, Childline India Foundation, other Civil Society and the partner NGO’s. There was short presentation on CHILDLINE activities conducted with various statistics from April – Nov’14 number of FIR lodged, Restoration/ Repatriation done, Rescue from abuse and etc. At the meeting it was discussed that: Child labour cases are reported and rescued with the help of Labour Dept and

CHILDLINE but there is a no proper rehabilitation plan of these children when they return back to their homes. A suggestion came up from all the members that there should be a proper SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to be maintained. Rehabilitation: We are glad to rehabilitate the younger sister of Geeta (who was rescued - refer last newsletter) in our Loreto Sealdah Rainbow Home after the written order from CWC Kolkata.

6. NEWS FROM JHARKHALI PROJECT Activities Construction of Toilet and drinking water facilities

Survey of out of school children

Directors visit on 23rd October

Achievements 1. Written permission taken from managing committee 2. Construction of two toilets and 4 drinking water units placed with the assistance of Robert A survey of out of school children and girls married off between the age of 14-18 years in 1000 households is being conducted in 4 GPs of Canning 1 3. To give coaching support to the weak students and to incorporate this into the new budget for John Scottus School- Ireland.

7. NEWS FROM EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF SEX WORKERS Activities

Achievements

Education of the children

37 children from Jyotinagar Colony and Sonagachi are coming to Loreto Sealdah for primary education

Meeting with the mothers

The Director, Christine and Sanghita had a meeting with the mothers of the children in Sonagachi on 22.11.14.

CRC celebration

The children took part in the carnival and sports organized by KMWSC

8. Barefoot teachers training: This is one of our oldest programme and to continue the same we are inviting retired Loreto teachers to share their expertise with our grassroot level teachers. We need funding for this programme so that we can reach out to more children in rural India.

Training

Level

Content and participants

27th to 31st October

Classes Nursery, K.G. & I

8 teachers from Howrah Shibpur (West Bengal) attended the barefoot teachers training. They observed the primary classes in Loreto Sealdah school and were guided to teach language, numbers, rhymes, stories and games. During their training they learnt to prepare teaching learning materials (TLM) and lesson plan and were exposed to micro teaching. The training ended with the exhibition of their TLM and certification by Sr. Monica.

1st till 4th December

II. III, IV

We were glad that Mrs. Flora Chowdhury the ex –primary school teacher of Loreto Sealdah conducted the training. 11 teachers from our own projects ( Lotus Child, Gosoba and Lodha)The day started with identifying the basic problem these teachers face, their solution, language development, EVS and Maths ( mainly multiplication). Teachers learnt about Theme Teaching, Brainstorming and Micro teaching. The training ended with the presentation of their TLM and Certificate distribution by Sr. Monica.

9. Lodha community project: Due to constraint of funds we had to withhold the project for the last few months. In December we have trained the 3 teachers again and we will start the centre again from January with 75 children and 3 teachers.

Workshops and CapaCity building of the KMWSC Staff

Sl. No. Dates 1 18th Oct’14

2

29th Oct

Training /Workshop/ networking Report Writing/ Monitoring and Evuation Corporate Meet Presentation & orientation on New Horizon programme

Venue

Loreto Sealdah

Attended by All KMWSC staff

Resource person

Hotel Sonnet

Mehtab Ara

Save the Children

Christine, Mehtab and Shagufta Mehtab & Sr. Monica

Save the Children

Report writing , Monitoring and evaluation By Mr Susovan Si, CIF & Madhumita from JPISC

State Consultation Meet on CDW and CLPRA Amendment 9thNov’2014 National Consultation Meet

Hotel Golden Park

5

28th &29th Nov

6

11th Dec

Adolescence Health

Loreto Provincialate Kolkata CLPOA

7

3rd and 4th Dec

Finance management

Seva Kendra

Debdas

8

16th Nov

Bardhaman Raj Bari DH Road

Rina and Satarupa

Waste management. Avocyame group-New Delhi

9

25th Nov

Handicraft from dry flowers & floral waste product Mr. Prasun Majhi – the administrative officer of Regional Institute of Correctional Administration. (RICA)

RICA

Director and Sanghita

Sr. Monica Suchiang

3 4

25th Nov’14

Secretarial meetings/

Possibilities to train /workshops for the Police force on Antitrafficking.

Delhi

Save the Children

Mehtab

Secretarial Management – Loreto Provincialate

Tarannum and Tapas

Suparna Roy ( CLPOA) Christian Institute of Management - Chennai

Project supporters’ visit: Visitors from Lotus ChiLd – Ireland: Sonatpota and Choulgola centres were visited by Allanah and Anne Marie Smith, Director, Christine and Somesh. It was decided to restart the coaching centres: to help mainstream out of school children and to tutor children attending school. The adult education will also start from January 2015. The visit was very fruitful and we are glad that the centres are restarting again from the New Year. Visitors from stichting Actie – Netherlands: Mr. Wim de Jongh, Mrs Maria De- Jong Jensen, Mr. Leendert and Mrs. Anne Hoogendam- Arends from SAC – Netherlands visited the BFS in Minakhan and Naihati on 21st November. On return the Director had a meeting with the Donors in Seva Kendra, and was thanked for their generosity and in return they appreciated the work and encouraged regular interaction and communication.

We are Grateful to all our Visitors:  We are very thankful to the students and teachers of Stephen’s Green School – Dublin for visiting us from 25th October to 6th November. They visited the Loreto Rainbow Homes, helping them with teaching. KMWSC organized a thank you lunch before their departure.  Students and teachers from St Patrick’s college – Australia also visited us from 29th November till 2nd December. They were happy to spend time with the Rainbows and was  Thanks to Robert and his friends from for visiting Jharkhali and helping to build 3 toilets for the schools.  Tim Allender from the University of Sydney  Teachers and students of St. Ignatius College – Riverview.

Jesus is the reason for the season

Warmest regards and prayers KMWSC team