Dear All,

Hope all is well at your end. The children are back after their summer breaks and will soon be joining the new academic session at school. Their uniforms are ready and the joy of having new books and stationery is evident on their faces. I have been one of those fortunate ones who has been around in the mornings to see off the children to school. Be it Monday or Friday, they are always full of energy, enthusiasm and cheerfulness.

Recently, New Life Children’s home had elected their new children committee members. The electoral process was followed by an envisioning exercise where each committee came up with a vision for their home. For the successful functioning of children’s committees, the Miracle Foundation considers it of utmost importance to orient the housemothers on their role as adults in guiding the committees. The housemothers can help in molding the children’s behavior and attitude to practice their decision making abilities, executing their visions and not misusing their designations.

For the same purpose, Program Coordinator Srividya conducted a training session with the housemothers on ‘Child Participation For Caregivers’. The participants were divided into two groups to identify the gaps in the home from the perspective of both children and adults. They were given case studies and were asked to discuss and make presentations. After much discussion, the caregivers agreed that as adults they only thought about giving food to children and educating them. Looking at it, from the children’s view point they realized that issues like playground, outing, watching movies, etc. were also important.

The HM’s were found to be very interactive. They shared their opinions and thoughts without inhibitions. In the beginning of the session, HM’s were not aware about their role in the children committees. It was suggested to the HM’s that they should see to it that children committee members are carrying out duties regularly or encourage them to do so. They should involve them in day to day activities. For example, the recreation committee could help them when a donor comes to celebrate with the children. HM’s should also come up with innovative activities to involve the kids. Overall, the session was participatory and was filled with constant to and fro of queries. Srividya shared that she was impressed with the activities the housemothers suggested for the committees to carry out.

I will be in New Life in the first week of August. I promise to bring back lots of pictures and stories to show you all. Thank you so much for always encouraging us to tread forward in our mission to empower every orphan child out there to his full potential.

Signing off till the next post.

Much love & respect,

Snigdha Raha

Communications & Sponsorship Coordinator,

Miracle Foundation India