Hello friends!  We are back with our quarterly update on what’s been happening at Seem.

TUITION CLASSES

The tuition classes continued in earnest with almost 100% attendance every day! This has been very heartening. Since schools have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, the children have been able to make up with these tuition classes. They have also been able to make use of their time.  Abhilasha, a class 11 student, assisted Jaya in teaching the younger kids and also got a chance to earn some pocket money.

With the continued classes, Vijay has been able to complete the course for math and science for Classes 9 to 12 and the other children have made substantial academic progress as well.  Due to the winter and the days becoming shorter, these tuition classes have been temporarily discontinued since 1^st December. 

COMPUTER CLASSES

Deepak continued with the computer training classes till 30^th November. The children were trained to use basic software and access the internet. Around 25 of the trainees also learnt to work in MS PowerPoint and Photoshop. These children prepared PowerPoint slides on different topics and presented them in the presence of their parents and visitors who attended the closing function held on 28th November.

A small farewell was arranged for Deepak, where the children spoke about their experiences with him and sang songs for him. 

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS

Diwali celebration this year was arranged on 13th November.  All our resource people – Tautik & Rohini, Nidhi & Jayesh, Deepak, Vijay, and Kripal Bisht took active part in the celebrations. There was no stopping the children from singing and dancing! Jayesh and Tautik made the day all the more memorable with lots of fun games for the kids.  As usual, a sumptuous treat of sweets concluded the celebration.

SEWING CLASSES FOR WOMEN

These classes continued with full attendance till 28^th October. The trainees stitched garments and other items under proper guidance using old and used materials donated by our well wishers. They now appear to be quite confident in taking up stitching as a livelihood option in the future.

Certificates were distributed to 18 girls and women who completed this course in a graduation ceremony. Products made by them were also collated & displayed. 

These girls have now formed a group and are taking orders for preparing clothes and other products. It has also been planned that in the near future, they will form a Self Help Group (SHG). The SHG will make products under the guidance of Rohini & Tautik, who will help them in design and these will be marketed with our assistance.

theatre and Dance workshop

Nidhi & Jayesh continued their theatre and dance workshops every fortnight during this time.  Children are preparing to perform two plays and a dance recital in the coming months.  The library has been abuzz with children exchanging their dialogues and practicing their dance steps, which they do even while fetching water! So much is the excitement that quite a few of their siblings and their parents have also started humming the songs!

Library outreach

Despite the pandemic and related slowdowns, Angelique Foundation have continued their support to our library and the outreach initiative. This year has also seen new additions. A library at Blooming Buds School, Ratighat on 21st November was set up. A few of the local students of Ratighat helped in setting up the library. The school management has assured that children in small groups will be able to enter and read the books even though the school will remain closed. 

We have also dispatched all the materials received from Angelique Foundation to Sanjay Joshi Memorial School at Devidhura.  

With this, the library outreach now is three government schools, three private schools and one community library.  Once the weather improves and schools resume, we will be visiting them to guide the staff and assess the initiative.

VISIT BY Mr. & MRS. KHARE

Jaya’s professors from Degree College (1982 – 83) and their family visited the library on 30^th November. They were very happy to interact with the children and distributed stationery items to all the kids. They also contributed many personally curated books to the library.

SAFKINS REUSABLE SANITARY PADS

Distribution of sanitary napkins continued even during this quarter. We have so far distributed around 85 pieces this year.

SOME MORE GOOD NEWS!

The year ends with the good news that we have been waiting for a long time – our Trust has received approval under Section 80G of the IT Act.  Our donors are now eligible for tax rebate under this section.

other activities

While regular studies are being taken care of by the tuition classes, the children are also continuing with all the activities that they love the most – reading, art & craft and numerous games that the library is able to provide.

With the end of 2020, we hope for happier times ahead for all our children and well wishers. Goodbye everyone and wish you all a very Happy New Year!