Campaign at NBT Nagar slum

Date: 22nd JULY 2007
Attendees: Surya, Sunil, Tanvi, Aparna, Kranthi, Siddharth, Abhishek, Preetam, Karthik, Krishna Rao, Karun Kumar, Ganapathy, Trinath, Naveen Kumar, Raju, Jyoti, Manish, Dhananjay.

The first Health camp previously conducted at NBT Nagar had been a very enlightening experience to everyone. It has made us aware of the various Health related problems faced by the kids there. Taking into account all the suggestions that we had received and based on our experience, we have planned to organise another health camp along with an eye checkup on July 29 th at the Government school of NBT Nagar.

We all met on the Sunday, 22nd July at NBT Nagar to campaign for the Health camp and try to raise some awareness about the related issues. The most striking feature during this activity was the turnout of the volunteers; it was great to see 18 volunteers all geared to campaign for this cause. There were quite a few people who joined us for the first time, so there was lot of new blood, enthusiasm and spirit.

We first visited the church close by and extended an invitation to all the kids of the Sunday school to attend the camp, as most of the kids belong to that slum. The pastor there was generous, not only did he announce about the health camp but also distributed the leaflets among the people who were there to offer the service. Thus we began our campaign with the divine blessings.

On our return we met Mrs. Vimala, who is a member of the organization, which would be sponsoring us for the health camp. We were then joined by Mr. Ravi, a local leader who came forward to circulate pamphlets about the camp in the surrounding areas, to spread awareness about the medical camp. We then discussed various issues, like the facilities being provided at the government school, the requirements for the health camp, facilities to be provided for the doctors, medicines required etc…

After almost 2 long hours of discussions, we then had another brain draining session (oops!!! Read: More discussions). All of us came forth with our opinions and ideas. Finally it was time for action and to put all our planning to implementation. We were all assigned our responsibilities/duties for the Camp day- 29 th and then we dispersed for the campaign by segregating into 3 teams.

We went door to door informing the locals about the next week’s medical camp. We must admit that though many of our volunteers couldn’t read telugu well, the pamphlets that we got printed in telugu were of real good use. Because of the high attendance of the volunteers we managed to cover the entire area in span of an hour. We also used some of the local shops to put up the pamphlets on display, for the local people would catch a glimpse even there. Overall, the Campaign was highly Successful and Productive.

After the exhaustive campaign, all of us assembled back at the government school. We were completely tired and hungry above all. In spite of the fatigue, we all had our usual fun time- pulling each others leg (specially the Chapter Rep’s ) while we waited for few other volunteers to return. After the fun and frolic, set back home, sure of a much larger turnout for the coming Weekend’s Camp!!

See you guys there!

–Regards’Tanvi Rao
for ~Pankhudi Foundation Hyderabad

Visit to Krushi Homes

Date: 10th June 2007
Attendees: Vasanth, Aparna, Tanvi, Snigdha, Jyotsna, Ravi.

It was bright sunny Sunday morning and we were very excited to go to Krushi homes since for many among us, it was our first visit. What added to our excitement was the fact that we would be going there by train.

We all met up at the Secunderabad railway station at 10.00 am and had to wait for a while as the train was delayed by an hour. We reached Gaudavalli station by 12.00. Then there was another 1 and ½ km journey which we had to travel by foot. They were farms, brick kilns, loads of animals and small water bodies on either side of the road. It was a sight to behold and the time passed by in a jiffy, without us realizing that we had reached our destination.

On reaching Krushi homes we were greeted by the enthusiastic kids. They were busy watching a Balakrishna movie being aired on TV. It was nearing one o’clock and sadly Jyotsna, one of our volunteer, had to leave since she had to return to Bangalore on the same evening. For a while we thought that the kids wouldn’t even move as they were deeply engrossed in the movie. Thankfully it was time for lunch; hence the kids and we too moved to have lunch. It was a wonderful feeling to sit amidst them and have lunch with them.

It was now time for Fun, masti and action. After the lunch the kids showed us the plantation work which they have been carrying out, which was quite impressive. It was then time for the most awaited event of the day. Our CRICKET match!!!!!!!! We got segregated into 2 teams and everyone gave their best shot. The match was lively, competitive and very charging….they were pathans, dhonis, sachins and mithali rajs in action…J. Simultaneous we also played Marampiti and Throwball with the much younger kids who could not take part in the cricket match. By the end of it we were completely tired and exhausted and it was also time for us to leave. We didn’t realize how time simply flew by playing with the kids.

Just as we thought that we had wrapped up for the day, we embarked a new adventure. The journey back from Krushi homes to the railway station was eventful and amusing. On our way back we posed for photographs with buffaloes which were daunted in our presence, we also tried feeding a calf, played in hay stacks ( and believe me guys , you all must at least once hear Aparna trying to converse and imitate the buffaloes, it is truly hilarious …J. No sooner did we reach the railway station did it start pouring heavily. We got completely drenched in the rain and we were playing on the railway tracks much to the amusement of the onlookers, enjoying the first showers of the monsoon.

Being with the kids, the child within us resurfaced and we behaved like 10 year olds. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives .Hopefully the next time there would be many more of us going together for such fun filled activities to bring joy and happiness in the lives of the kids and also in ours ……

Cheers…~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad

Health Camp at N.B.T. Nagar

Date: 3rd June, 2007
Time: 9 : 00 am


Attendees: Santosh, Ramesh, Vasanth, Surya, Prabhanjan, Aparna, Snigdha , Tanvi, Kranthi, Siddharth, Chandrika, Mayuri, Sudheera, Dr. Kowsalya, Dr. Shweta.

Agenda: A Health Camp for the Kids of the Surrounding slums, where the kids would be given a general check up, and the necessary medication needed.

“Bright sunny morning…Cuddling yourself in the blanket and lazing on the bed and enjoying a holiday”- The general definition of Sunday in one’s life…

Well We Pankhudians were all set to change the definition.Fun, Relaxation had very different meanings in our dictionary.

Dressed up in white, few holding the banners for a campaign, few others busy tying up the banners, and the rest occupied with arranging things for a Health camp; that was how we began our Sunday. It was around 10:00 by the time doctors came & everybody settled down. It being a Sunday, the slum woke late, just as majority of the city did. As it was the first ever Medical camp conducted by ~Pankhudi Hyderabad, initially we had to rush for purchases here and there and some last moment preparations….so it was an enlightening experience altogether. With 15 of the volunteers assembling, it was an easy task to manage the Arrangements and the Kids at the same time. Initially we had noted down the details of all the kids who had come for the general check up. We noted their Names, if studying or not, if so their School name, Class and Age. We did this in order to maintain a record of the kids in and around that area who had attended the check up.

The Doctors had started the camp with some General Health and Sanitation Awareness tips to the children. They explained the kids how to keep themselves neat and clean, and away from diseases. In fact, it was also some enlightenment to our volunteers as well. As the Doctors were addressing the kids, most of our volunteers were looking at each other, with gestures indicating that even they need to follow those tips. So, thanks goes to the docs for the volunteer enlightenment too.

Within the small breaks that we got in between the checkups …we grabbed the opportunity to have some brainstorming sessions with the doctors on how to go conduct Health camps on a larger scale and what were the issues we had to learn more in organising them. The suggestions and guidance had given us real good exposure on the health conditions of kids in slums and the precautions need to be taken by the volunteers while addressing such kids. The common ailments we noticed among the children of that slum were that- majority of the kids were suffering form allergies of different kind, mostly Scabies. Also, these kids had Vision problems arising from a very tender age of 6 years itself. Malnutrition was also one of the visibly seen problems. And sadly, many of the children were suffering from tooth decay. And the irony was that, we were supposed to give chocolates to the kids after the camp

As we all had a hectic morning, by 1.30 we were all very hungry and were game for lunch with the doctors. To satiate our hunger - we had ordered some very delicious dishes, some informative discussions with the Doctors; was an educative dish for us. And the most favorite of all volunteers - the Fun and Masti ka dish. And as a part of that dish, Kranthi was taken for a ride when everybody ganged up, stole her cell, switched it off, gave it to the waiter and here it comes….it was a surprise dish for the Finance rep- her mobile wrapped into the napkin, nicely decorated on the plate. In the tensed mood little did she know or realize that it was her lost mobile. That was just a preview of what we ~Pankhudians have as fun mantra in activities, adding fuel and making us more enthusiastic.

The Doctors were mighty impressed with the service orientation we youngsters had. And they were pretty anxious and interested to help us in future too. We decided to prepare a document with the help of doctor; for guidelines to the volunteers on teaching kids about Daily health care issues.

The Hard work - left us with immense Satisfaction, Fun we had - left us Energetic even if we were tired, Informative session - was more than lessons for us.
All in all we all had a great Sunday and to make us more nostalgic were the pics of volunteers with Stethoscopes. Am sure that was a fun filled Sunday for all volunteers.
Kudos Hyderabad Pankhudians - We Rock as always!!!
Keep your Spirits soaring high!!!


you can view the pics at
picasaweb.google.com/surya.thecognizant

Cheers…
~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad

Activity Snapshot

Hey All,

Please do check out this Video, which is a Glimpse of Activities of ~Pankhudi Hyderabad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLiBuQpBNk

Cheers…
~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad

Closed Doors ??? - N.B.T Nagar Govt School

The denial of a person’s right to education is equally a denial of his right to exist as a free and productive human being. For without education, the individual is condemned to the prison of his own ignorance, tortured over his lack of opportunities, and, more than likely, consigned to a life of poverty, underdevelopment, and oppression.

In most cases, however, it is not a matter of will but of resources. In the developing world, especially, many governments simply do not have the infrastructure to provide their young people with an adequate education but it is an entirely different matter when a government willfully seeks to deprive its people — or a group of its people — from receiving an education.
Sadly, this is the scenario at the Banjara Hills N.B.T Nagar Government School.

When team ~Pankhudi visited this place last week, what we heard was an awful fact. If you had an option to choose between Maruti and Mercedes which one would you choose? However, these school children have no option. All they have to do is wait…, wait till the government changes.

It’s not about cars, it’s about their education. There’s a new school building that was constructed for these children; huge and spacious when compared to the present building which accommodates nearly five grades in a single room. To their misfortune, these children are not being shifted to the new building just because the local people do not want the politician now in power to inaugurate the school. And for the politician to change, these pitiable kids have to wait until the govt changes; even unsure if it would actually do.

These are the pictures of the old and new school buliding. Imagine students from first to fifth standard studying in one single room waiting for their dream buliding to be inaugurated. Hope these politicians & people realise that the Future of their own kids is much highly valuable than the local politician or politics. I recollect a statement of Albert Einstein which said
“ I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn “

Cheers…

~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad

SIDUR - 11th Feb Visit

For all those who are new let me just give an intro what is SIDUR is all about?
SIDUR is a associate of Child Line (1098), where in they home orphans, street kids and run away kids, they do receive some corporate help. Pankhudi Hyd team is associated with SIDUR since a long time. All the previous visits which we have carried on actually for building a relationship between us and kids over there.

So we actually planned this visit for 3 main activities.
1. Permission for Clothes distribution for all the kids there from the funds whcih we pooled up.
2. Review the health of the kids there.
3. Assess their educational Levels as we were informed that few students there dropped out of school due to lack of funds.

We planned to be at the place by 10:30 in the morning. Ramesh along with his friends was the first to be there. I along with Prabhanjan and Jyostna joined a little later though.Initially we drafted all the kids names and their educational standards.
We were quite satisfied with their progress and we realized that the information that few kids had dropped out from school, was actually false.There was only one kid who dropped out from the school, who actually dropped out because he wanted to go back home.

Three others who have cleared their intermediate first year are working part time and plan to continue their studies next year, as they were more interested in a course which would earn them a job early.Many others are regular to school and are showing good progress.By the time our analysis was done, we managed to distribute some sweets and chocolates, which were brought by a friend of mine (Swetha) as it was her birthday and she wanted to distribute them to all the kids over there, she could mark here presence though.

Then we talked to the management there and got the permission to get a tailor and take measurements and get Clothes stitched for all the kids there.The management was quite responsive and very happy. Thanks to the management for a quick permission to go ahead.
Also, we enquired about the medical facilities and were told that a doctor visits them every Friday and he takes care of their regular Health.

So now, we were left with enough time to play with the kids. We encouraged Samba (the kid who dances really well) and he sprung into action again. Every body was charged up with his dance. Few kids also teamed up to sing a folk song, which we also plan to have properly recorded for a campaign to create awareness among the rural uneducated public.

We had spent some time teaming among ourselves and joining them and playing different games and when we thought we might have spent half an hour, to our surprise it was almost 4 hours that we were there and it was also time for their lunch.
Hence we closed our day’s session on a positive note that we actually got the permission to offer clothes to kids, which we assumed would me a mighty task.

P.S : And the immediate coming week, we had gone there with a Tailor and have taken all their measurements. The clothes shall be stitched and given to all those kids there sometime during Mid-March. We thank all those People who had contributed Monetarily, and Physically for this task.

Hoping to see such continued support and continued service to these kids….

Cheers…
~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad

Republic Day Celebrations

Date - 26th January, 2007

Location - Kakaguda Govt. School, Secunderabad.

Team ~Pankhudi - A total of 26 members for 26th Jan Event



Enthusiastic about flag hoisting, excited with a flag pinned up ontheir dress, getting game for the cultural events- this is how therepublic day celebrations started off at govt. primary school,Kakaguda, Secunderabad. It was the volunteers day as well as therewas good attendance of volunteers. So, may be that also added up tothe excitement of the kids in the school.
Flag hoisting was the first event wherein pankhudians helped theteachers of the school arranging the flag and hence hoisting itsuccessfully. It was great to be there at a school as a serviceactivity with a patriotic feel within. Well I am sure all volunteersmust have been nostalgic about good old school days and then the JanaGana Mana..woow that was awesome. I am sure it was worth waking up alittle early compared to other days and rushing to the school.



Dandia, group songs and not to forget the thing “Burra Katha” (whichwas a wonderful performance by one of the students) were allmemorable performances. Cheers to all the volunteers who were thereto get the kids together for practice sessions and made it a greatexperience altogether. The main round of applause goes to Pattu (Mr.Monterio), whois associated with the school and has helped us associate ourselveswith the school, and had given us the pleasure of serving the school.

After the cultural event, our volunteers distributedchocolates; and the kids were game for the sports events. With alittle time gap, we started the sports by dividing the kids intogroups.We had lemon and spoon race, running race and three leggedrace. The competitive spirit in the kids was appreciable, aseverybody was vieing to win when we announced prizes forthe winners. All the Volunteers really need a goodround of applause for the successful completion of the sports events. All of them were key participants in arranging the events.

On an Concluding note, the winners were given away the prizes and the rest were motivated to be more sportive for the coming events.
Putting it in nutshell, it was a great and memorable republicday, cherishable for a long time.Hope to have more of such events ahead and see more active participation of ourvolunteers.

Cheers…

~Pankhudi Team Hyderabad