A Weekful of sharing

The week kicked off on August 13 at the campus of Shiksha Ki Aasha,Wadgaon Sheri,where children celebrated Raksha Bandhan and Friendship Day with a special song and dance program organised by Digit 5 Private Limited. The employees of the company interacted with the children from Shiksha ki Aasha along with other underprivileged children from Wadgaon and distributed take-home gifts. On August 14,over 100 school uniforms were donated to the students of a rural school in Koregaon Bheema after which a tree planting session was organised in Lonkar School. “Since this is a time where we need to broaden our thinking and learn to give back to the society,we have even gone beyond the boundaries of Pune,into villages to distribute uniforms and organise events for the women and children there,” says Audoir de Valter. Independence Day was celebrated with the inauguration of a compassionate kitchen in the Shiksha ki Aasha campus. “The kitchen will be supported by Oakwood Premier Hotel. Once a week we will be sending our chef over to the kitchen here to whip up a tasty treat for the kids. All the other days of the week,nutritious meals will be served to all the students who are a part of Shiksha ki Aasha campaign,” says Sivakumar,human resource director,Oakwood Premiere.

On Thursday,H.O.P.E for Ladies NGO launched basic computer literacy classes for women living in and near Wadagaon. The women were given a talk on cervical cancer and about the importance of personal hygiene and given hygeine kits. Friday witnessed the inauguration of computer labs at Sundrabai School. HFCF also launched English-learning classes at their Vocational Training Centres across the city. “We realise that there is a huge problem of child labour that comes in the way of education for every child. We decided that once we reach the parents and make sure that they have a sustainable income,they will be able to send their children to school and let them have a decent childhood,” says Audoir de Valter. “The reason we introduced women’s empowerment program was to provide focus on the development of women and young girls through vocational training programmes that will provide income generation opportunities with the creation of a self help group called Atmanirbharata,” she adds.