World Disability Day – December 3rd 2008

At Apnalaya World Disability Day was celebrated on Dec 5, 2008. The objective of the program was to impart information to parents and students with disability on "the various assistive schemes of State Governments for persons with disability" The 2 hour long program was attended by nearly 200 people. The keynote speakers were representatives from MH State Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation, Department of Social Welfare, Principals of Special Schools & Faculty of Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The program was highly informative as it gave parents information on various scholarship schemes in education and loan schemes for entrepreneurial development. The experience shared by the principals of special schools was motivating for parents to take up responsibility of their child's rehabilitation process.

On 10th January, 30 ICDS Teachers and 10 students from the College of Social Work – Nirmala Niketan attended a training program on "NUTRITION & BIRTH REGISTRATION" at Samaj Kalyan Hall, Shivajinagar. Dr Sudha Datye spoke about the role of healthy food to monitor the growth of malnourished children in Govandi area. Along with Dr Datye, Mr Manoj Shrisath, Asst Director and Mr Parikshit Salunke, CDO spoke about the importance of Birth Registration, its complete procedure until the Birth Certificate is received.

On January 18, 2009, 127 people ran for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. All the staff wore a small paper flag and caps with Apnalaya inscribed on it. Their T-shirts adorned “ENSURING RIGHTS OF THE URBAN POOR” 6 of them ran the half Marathon while 5 of them were children belonging to Apnalaya’s coaching program (the coach ran along with the children) Lindsay Clinton ran in support of    Apnalaya. Andrea, Ramesh, Ravi and Pinky also ran the dream run with the rest of our children, staff and community people.

30 children participated in the Athletics event organised by Concern India Foundation in December. Apnalaya (children) won 15 medals, and 3 children (2 boys - Krishne and Suyog - and 1 girl, Firdaus) were selected to participate at a District level meet organised by the Athletics Association in January. While the district level proved very tough for our kids, it was good experience for the 3 of them and now they are determined to do better next year.

Kheliyad - Ma Interschool and Youth sports tournament organised  between 24th Jan to 1st Feb. 2009. 42 schools with approx 1,500 children participated in the event. Included team events like kabaddi, kho kho, langadi, dodge ball, and individual events like 50 & 100 meters running, shot put and long jump. The youth tournaments have kabaddi and underarm and overarm cricket, which sees around 70 teams participating. The event also spreads awareness about HIV AIDS to these young boys through messages on their T shirts.

The Plan India and Apnalaya partnership to ensure Birth Registration and certification for every child continues into the 3 rd year.

Funding for Rationing Kruti Samitee project which Apnalaya has managed since 1998 ended on 31st December 2008. The funding came first from the National Foundation of India and later from Action Aid. Now the funding responsibilities are handed over to RSCD, CBD, Belapur, but Apnalaya continues to be the convenor for RKS

Apnalaya wishes to thank all its online donors and we are hope that many more donors will make use of this simple, safe and effective method of donation.