Saturday Special

13.02.2010

The children came to Manav Sadhna and prayed. The children were told about Shivratri. A group of 10-12 students from NID were welcomed. They came to help the children made arts and crafts out of newspapers. The NID students talked to the children about making these arts and crafts. The children were served by Naitikbhai of Seva Cafe—it was his birthday, so he distributed chocolate to the children. From the Manav Sadhna parivar, Seemaben’s grandmother served puri, shaak, khaman, shiro, and crisps, then the children went home.

Saturday Special

20.02.2010

The children came to Manav Sadhna and prayed. They sang songs and were told stories. Out of newspaper, 13-14 NID volunteers taught the children to make: hats, bags, mats, frogs, and flowers.

It was Mauliben’s, a Manav Sadhna volunteer’s, birthday. She came with her friends and family to Manav Sadhna to serve puri, shaak, doodhpak, and crisps.

TOUR OF KANKARIYA LAKE

Buses full of smiles, 120 children living at Ashramshala hostel were treated to an exciting outing at Kankaria Lake. Dressed to impress for the special occasion, the boys and girls patiently waited for their boat ride around the Lake. Laughing together and energized after their water adventure, they climbed out of the boats not expecting to see the next surprise that awaited them around the corner. The kids began jumping up and down at the sight of the choo choo train heading their way. One by one, they sang Gujarati tunes as they piled into the train carts. Looping around the lake, the kids scanned the surrounding scenery of colored lights, smelled the tasty nasto stands, and eagerly waved “bye!” to every passerby.

Thinking their fun was at its end, Manav Sadhna provided yet another treat—dinner followed by ice cream for dessert. Kids, staff, and volunteers all grabbed a seat at picnic benches to share the excitement of the night and share a full plate of food together. The night not only brought happiness to each child, but created a deeper sense of community amongst the entire group and made the staff feel just as young at heart.

The Woman Empower

Radhaben Maheshbhai Dantani
Age 21

Radhaben lives on the corner of the Prabodh Rawar Bridge in a house held up by two poles covered with a tarp. Gramshree’s own Chandrikaben found Radhaben and discovered that she was widowed at the young age of 21, and she was left with three children – a three year old daughter, a two year old daughter and a seven month old son. Her husband had died of cancer two months earlier. Helpless and without a proper source of income, Radhaben turned to begging as a means to support her family. Luckily, Chandrikaben found her and introduced her to Gramshree where she was able to apply some of her skills. She started work on a project where she created new crafts from recycled materials. To help Radhaben support herself and care for her children while she settled into her new work, Manav Sadhna gave her and her family 1100 rs. worth of food to last at least one month. Once a month she will also receive 10 kg of wheat as she is now also part of a program Manav Sadhna has set up to support widowed women. In addition, her two eldest children have been placed in one of the Manav Sadhna preschools. One month after her first encounter with Manav Sadhna, Radhaben has adjusted to her new job and is gaining the motivation and strength to sustain and support her family on her own.

Manjulaben – July 2009

One day, while doing field work in one of the poorer areas of Rampir Ne Tekro, we met Manjulaben and her family. She lives with her husband and two young daughters, and they earn a living by rake picking, picking up and sorting garbage. When we met her, Manjulaben hardly had enough clothes to cover her body, and there were a lot of flies hovering over the many foul-smelling, pus-filled sores located on her body. She had been taking medicine from the local medical store. She was sent to Civil Hospital and received treatment for eight days. During her stay in the hospital, her daughters had to be left with the neighbors because her husband had to work in order to be able to afford food to eat. Once Manjulaben returned from the hospital, she was required to take medicine and change the dressing everyday; however, the infection returned as the medicine was expensive and she could not afford to change the dressing daily.

She once again became very ill and was visited by a Manav Sadhna health worker. She was sent to the Manav Sadhna health center, and she was diagnosed with a very bad infection. The cost of one tablet and one injection was 108 rupees, and it was required that she take three tablets and two injections daily. Her one-and-a-half year old daughter was also diagnosed as anemic and malnourished as she had not been breast fed by her mother. Poonambhai, the doctor who oversees the health center, recognized that this family was very poor and yet very honest. He decided to give the dressing and medication to both mother and daughter for free. Since then, although it has not be cured, Manjulaben's infection has significantly reduced, and her treatment is ongoing. Her young daughter has been shown to a pediatrician, and follow-up is currently taking place. The baby is now put in daycare at the Manav Sadhna community center everyday.

• Poor health is usually a result of lack of awareness and lack of treatment.Manav Sadhna tries to remedy this issue via programs geared towards hygiene,family planing,addiction and prevention and treatment of illness. All this carried out through our health center in the slum,regular medical camps and with aid from medical professionals and institutes.

maji pravas