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TRANSCRIPT
AFFECXN (Read: AFFECTION), is a Newsletter published by Catalyst for Social Action (CSA). Established in September 2002, Catalyst for Social Action (CSA) is a Not-For-Profit organisation dedicated to the cause of rehabilitation of orphaned children.
CSA works as a “catalyst” focusing on a holistic approach to child care and optimal rehabilitation outcome for orphaned children in the following domains -
?Transforming lives of orphan children via initiatives ranging from providing education and training, health and hygiene plans, nutritious meals and overall well being?Promoting and facilitating adoptions wherever possible
In the area of enabling holistic care of children, we support a number of child care organisations in the areas of Nutrition, Health & Hygiene, Education & Vocational skills, Infrastructural support and Recreation activities. We have increased the support being provided this year and are making a valuable difference to 2200+ children across 46 homes in 4 states that we support.
As part of our Adoption Facilitation process, we work with existing rural institutions to facilitate the quality, speed and number of adoptions in India. We have successfully facilitated over 200+ adoptions so far since inception. Our intention is to ensure that every adoptable child should find a home.
We work with orphaned children and focus majorly on their well-being,
care & protection. However, not much attention is given to the people
who work with these children day in or day out. In a regular family
setting, dealing with 1 child or 2 children on a daily basis can be a
daunting task filled with moments of joy, frustration, excitement,
dejection etc. Imagine dealing with 20-25 or even higher no. of kids
bursting with energy on a daily basis in an orphanage setting - mind
boggling and huge!
Staff and caretakers at orphanages are such a major influence on the
children and have a big impact on the way a child's future shapes up in
the orphanage. Being with so many children everyday coupled with long
working hours, can sometimes stress
childcare workers & unfortunately
children end up bearing the brunt of
their stress & frustration. This can of
course be detrimental and confusing
to children.
Therefore, it became increasingly
evident that as much as we support
the well-being of children in
orphanages, we must work with
orphanage staff too to address their concerns, stress management,
provide them with ways & means of dealing with children in a positive &
constructive manner and understanding children, their nature and
bringing out the best in children.
With this aim, CSA organized workshops for childcare workers and staff
who work with children in orphanages we support. We roped in child
specialists / councellors to conduct these workshops which were
interactive in nature and provided for a lot of dialogue between staff and
resource trainer. We received good response in terms of attendance and
positive feedback from staff regarding the way the workshops were
conducted.
Participants were handed 'Completion Certificates' at the end of the
workshop.
Some testimonials from
participants -
?"The workshop was helpful; some
children get angry often & do not
listen to us. We keep wondering
why? But after interacting with the
resource person, we understand
that child may be facing a
psychological problem. Now we are planning to take the child to a
doctor and seek medical help. "
?“The training was needed for our staff. This is the 1st time we were
able to attend a session like this with regards to how to behave with
children. Now we can understand some of our mistakes which we'll try
to rectify going forward."
?"Thanks to CSA for organising this
training. We'll surely put to use the
knowledge received at the
workshop in our day to day work. "
?"This was a wonderful session &
we look forward to future
workshops”
WORKSHOP FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS &
STAFF AT ORPHANAGES - In Focus!
n Support to Children in Orphanages:-
Health & Hygiene Support -
¬Follow up Health check up camps
have been conducted at all
orphanages. Close to 1400 check
ups have been done. Watch out for
the next edition for indepth
analysis and outcomes compared
to the last Health check up undertaken in Jul/Aug 2013....
¬In addition, Hygiene kit supplies for the next six months have also been
distributed to children
¬Children in need of treatment for
dental and eye related issues were
attended to
¬Skin care trainings highlighting the
importance of keeping the skin
clean were conducted across all
CSA supported orphanages. More
than 1400+ children attended
these sessions.
Nutrition Support -
¬We provide 400 children from the BVJSS orphanage in Pune with
seasonal fruits as part of additional nutritional support. Till date,
children have been provided with apples, chikoos, bananas,
strawberries, oranges etc.
Education & Vocational Skills Support -
¬Computer laboratory has been set
up at Balmandir orphanage in
Mumbai and 65 boys will be able
to avail of the facilities & benefit
from computer training
¬In Madhya Pradesh, a vocational
training assessment was carried
out for children at the Childrens Home in Jabalpur. Purpose is to train
children in courses that will generate employment opportunities in the
future
¬27 children from MP are being trained in 2 courses - 'Dona Pattal'
[paper plate making technique] and 'Office Stationery’
Infrastructure Support -
¬CSA supported the construction of few washrooms in Odisha - a much
required necessity for children
Fun and Recreational Activities -
¬Children are always intrigued by
so many things and especially
technology, so we decided to let
children explore the world of
Digital SLR cameras! Children in
some orphanages in Mumbai and
Odisha paid attention to the
different functionalities that were being explained & quickly gained
confidence clicking a few images themselves!
¬Festival of colors 'Holi' was celebrated with much gusto & excitement
in Goa & Odisha
NEWS FLASH - CSA Happenings!
NEWS FLASH - CSA Happenings!
¬'Gudi Padwa' was celebrated at the Observation homes for Boys and
Girls in Pune in the month of March. 200 children enjoyed eating a
traditional sweet 'Shrikhand' and participated in a Quiz contest based
on this festival
n Adoption Facilitation:-¬3 adoptions have been successfully facilitated since January
2014 by CSA [Maharashtra-3]
¬In all 38 children have been placed for adoptions in 2013-14
n Stakeholder Training & Sensitization:-¬CSA staff co-ordinated workshops for childcare workers and
staff associated with orphanages. For additional details on the
workshops, see our coverstory section above
n Advocacy & Research:- ¬CSA has taken a huge stride forward in getting orphanages to
comply with JJ Act 2000 by ensuring that ALL 5 children's
homes we work with in Goa have now obtained licenses as an
authorised registered home under the JJ Act! We work with 5
orphanages in Goa and support 230 children. None of these
orphanages were registered under the JJ Act previously. Through
consistent efforts towards sensitization of WCD officials and hand
holding orphanages with their documentation and record maintenance
systems, all 5 orphanages have now been granted licenses to function
as registered Children's Homes under the JJ Act, 2000. Children's
Homes can now avail of the benefits and funds earmarked under JJ
Act provisions.Now next step is to work towards raising standards of
children's homes as per JJ Act and making them 'model childrens
homes' in the State.
Handling a Camera
the children in the supported orphanages and adoption agencies. The
importance of the background work that needs to be done to
successfully support the orphanages was realized. Everyone at CSA,
including our mentor, Mr. Sidney Rocha, and the concerned department
leads gave us timely updates and answered our queries effectively to
help us speed up the learning process and thereby enabled us to
contribute more efficiently.'
VOLUNTEERING WITH CSA - In Action!
Bhushan, Mitali & Omkar interned with CSA for three weeks as part of
the NMIMS We Care program in February 2014. It surely turned out to be
a good experience for the interns. Read on to know what Bhushan and
Omkar had to share with us -
Bhushan - 'The internship was a great learning experience. It sensitized
me to the issues plaguing children in orphanages. It helped me realize
that there are so many things that we take for granted which are a luxury
to these children.
I learned various new things like the Juvenile Justice Act, Integrated Child
Protection Scheme (ICPS) and how activities like health check-up camps
are organized for the children. The entire staff of CSA was very helpful
and supportive and provided us with information whenever required. The
sincere efforts and the work that CSA is doing in the field of child
adoption is indeed praiseworthy and I hope they continue this great
work and expand their operation so that many more children can benefit
from their work.I would recommend to my friends and family to also
volunteer with an NGO like CSA so that people can get in touch with the
ground reality and the social issues plaguing children who are
underprivileged and are in child care homes.’
Omkar - 'The experience we had while working with CSA was really
enriching, especially because we got to understand various aspects of
the work carried out by CSA. Ranging from identifying all the important
stakeholders and making sure a harmonious relation is maintained with
them to helping the organization secure tie ups with companies to
benefit the various supported orphanages, all the activities involved
knowing about all the processes and possible positive impact on the
children that CSA supports. The field visits gave us a first-hand
experience about the significant difference that CSA makes to the lives of
Bhushan, Mitali amd Omkar with children at a Panvel orphanage
CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words!
Health check up camps, Dental & Eye treatments, Skin care awareness
Fun activities & Festivities
Vocational Support, Sports Equipment & Books, Special Needs Home, English Tutor
CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000
Words!
CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000
Words!
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CSA IN MEDIA!
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CSA IN MEDIA!A
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http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?edorsup=Sup&wintype=popup&queryed=820027&querypage=8&boxid=60632&id=60169&eddate=2014-2-21&ed_date=2014-2-21&ed_code=820027
DNA-After Hrs/Mumbai: Social Initiative – Dadar based couple catalysing change
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/253616/Indian-Express-Pune/06-April-2014#page/20/2
Indian Express/Pune: After four year wait, nine families legally adopt children
http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/220414/p2.htm
Orissa Post/Odisha: Making Dreams Come True
Gomantak Times/Goa: NGO helps Goa orphanages get sanctity under Juvenile Justice Act
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention”
Donate today and become an active 'catalyst'!
Online Bank Transfer:
Volunteering:
We have a long way to go before we can truly say that sustainable, value based
care and support is being provided to children in adoption agencies and
orphanages.
CSA believes in the highest standards of governance and transparency and will
share project specific information with you.
We invite you to support our cause in the form of individual or corporate
donations / sponsorships. We have a host of donation options to choose from
and you can select appropriate options that suit your philanthropic needs.
Kindly get in touch with us for further information on donation options
available.
Cheque: Made payable to “Catalysts for Social Action” and sent to -
Address: CSA, C/o Accelya Kale Solutions Ltd, 3rd Floor, Modi House, Eastern
Express Highway, Naupada, Thane (W), Mumbai 400 602
To know more, call us or write in
To know more about how you can volunteer, get in touch with us
Landline: Mumbai - 022-67808888 | Pune - 020-24227090
Email: | Website:
Join our Facebook page:
[email protected] www.csa.org.in
https://www.facebook.com/CSAadoption
LEND US A HELPING HAND!