From The President’s Desk Diwali

How much are we thinking for mentally challenged persons?

Our busy season at the workshop peaked from mid-October to early November, the7th of November, to be precise. There were the stalls at various corporate premises.Then there were those arranged for by Rotary Clubs. Additionally, there were individualorders to be met. All these in addition to the orders for the chocolates from individualsand corporates. Apart from our Delicacy chocolates, we make paper lanterns, candlesand floaters, Diwali lamps and jewellery. Chocolates and candles were the hot favoritesthis season.

Preparation for the stalls and delivering individual orders begins in August. Workhappens at two levels. Our Friends, volunteers and some staff members designated tothe workshop units are engaged in making the products; other staff members andvolunteers put up and manage the stalls.

A great thing about this entire exercise of meeting the increased demand (for ourproducts) is that everyone is single-mindedly focused on working to get the items ready,and on time. This year, our volunteers helped us a lot.At the end of weeks of grueling work, there is a party – Diwali party – the day afterwhich our Friends go home to be with their families. Staff members celebrate with a daytrip sponsored by Navkshitij. They unwind themselves and have good fun. The day afterthe trip, they go home for Diwali vacation.Now the vacations are over and everyone is surfacing from the languorous mode to getinto action for our Annual Day celebrations on December 12.

Frenzied activity

In the month of October, Ms. Sandra Nady, a volunteer from France, worked for tendays at Navkshitij. She came here through the aegis of Planète Urgence. It was decidedthat she would train us on documentation processes, which is her subject of expertise. Wedid wonder how much she could impart and train given the fact that we had only ten days,that too during the busiest month in our calendar. We were preparing for a Walkathon,Street Play and Natyamahotsav, and making products for the stalls and orders. Wescheduled training sessions for the office staff, including the workshop manager.

As it happened, Sandra turned out to be a marvel. Right at the outset, she connectedwith everyone and assessed their needs. After discussing with me, she decided to workwith each of the staff members separately since the needs of each were different. Withthat, step one was in place. However, there was a big language barrier. Besides, theeducation levels of the staff were wide and varied. But Sandra plunged into action,determined and undeterred. She patiently tutored each in the documentation processesthat he or she needed to learn. She made sure that the person learnt. What she achievedin a short time was simply amazing. She helped us streamline our documentationprocesses

Sandra is now back in France. However, she is still in touch with us, ever ready to helpus out, whether it is clarifying doubts or answering questions. She showed that if you wantto help someone you should first understand his or her needs. Then with commitment,patience and sincerity, one can reach out to him/her and help fulfill the needs. We hopewe get more and more volunteers like Sandra. We are truly blessed to have had her withus.

Upcoming Happenings

• December 9: Traffic Awareness Programme
• December 12: 12th Foundation Day – Cultural Programme by Friends, volunteers and staff of Navkshitij; Dinner for well-wishers
• December 17: Visit to an organization under SETU initiative
• December 26: Trek to Taljai
• December 31: New Year’s Eve Party

Month’s Events

• November 6: Diwali Party
• November 7: Meeting with parents; Diwali vacation begins for Friends
• November 8: Diwali vacation begins for staff
• November 20: Staff returns from vacation
• November 21: Residential facility reopens
• November 25-27: Trustee Kanaka Cadambi participates in Weltwaerts Partner Conference Asia Pacific Region 2015, in Bangalore
• November 28: Adventure Activities at Punekar Resort, Pacharne

Navkshitij now needs:

• 45 Face Napkins – Approximate cost Rs. 2,000
• 60 Door Mats – Approximate cost Rs. 6,000
• Vegetable Cutting Machine – Approximate cost Rs. 20,000
• 2 Mini Uttapam Tawa/Pan – Approximate cost Rs. 1,000
• Big Size Dosa and Chapati Tawa – Approximate cost Rs. 8,000
• 24 Tennis Balls
• 2 Cricket Net – Approximate cost Rs.6,000
• 3 Halogen Lights – Approximate cost Rs.5500
• 50 Duty Diary – Approximate cost Rs.5,000
• 24 Thick Brooms (kharate) – Approximate cost Rs. 1200
• 12 Bathroom Mugs – Approximate cost Rs. 840
• 1 LCD Projector – Approximate cost Rs. 40,000
• 4 Metal Boxes (for storing grain) – Approximate cost Rs. 6,000
• 2 Swings – Rs. 20,000