Outreach Programmes

ROSHNI :

Launched in the year 1997, mainly with the efforts of Sr. Bernadette the then Principal and Sr. Shalini, ‘ROSHNI’ the light of our school was aptly named, so that our Outreach Programme would help us in spreading the light to the underprivileged children, who live so close to our school, but have never had the opportunity of going to one.

At present there are about 77 children coming in daily, from the slums and neighbourhood, who are given non-formal education, hygiene and vocational training by a well trained staff. The staff includes the Principal, Sr. Sunanda Vase, Sr. Anju and members of our teaching staff, Mrs. Helen D’Souza, Mrs. Agnes Bor, Mrs. Mridula C. Peter and Mrs. Dipa Pandey.

The children all girls aged between five and fifteen, come in daily at 11.00 a.m. and begin the day with an Assembly and prayer, led by one of the children. The School Hall has been given to them for the hours i.e. from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., they are here. The girls have been grouped age-wise and classes are conducted beginning from K.G. – V. They are provided with exercise books and stationary. The children are taught to read and write in English, Hindi, Bengali and Arithmetic and Art and Craft. Needlework is taught to the bigger girls. Physical Training and Singing Classes are held for the children, class-wise, once every week.

Once a week, after the Assembly, a short skit helped by the teachers is performed by the older girls, teaching them the Moral values of good habits and good behaviour. Sweets and small gifts are given to the very regular children of the individal classes in the beginning of each month, to encourage them to come to school regularly.

The Outreach Programme does follow the G.C. Directions as we strongly believe that in education lies the strength of India’s future. They begin the day with a prayer and are a part of all school activities, as far as possible. They are a part of Independence Day and Republic Day Celebrations and put up an item specially prepared by them. They are also a part of our Sports’ Day, Teachers’ Day and Childrens’ Day celebrations in the regular school. An annual excursion is also organized for them. ‘Parents’ Day’ is annually organized in December for the Roshni children’s parents. On this day all the children take part in something or the other. They take part in songs, dance and acting. And a small Christmas play or skit is also performed by the children for their parents. After the lend of the programme, gifts are given to the children and light refreshments are served to the parents of the children. A colouring competition was held in November for all the children from Classes K.G – V which later was later displayed along with other craftwork for the parents to see on Parents’ Day. Prizes were given class-wise to the best students for the best coloured pictures.

J.P.I.C. which is an integral part of our school setup also, ensures that we include the ‘ROSHNI’ girls in our projects. This year one child and last year (2004) about 12 children from Roshni have been absorbed into the main stream of Loreto Day School into different classes of the primary section.

A hot meal (lunch) is provided to the children before they leave at 2.00 p.m. On special occasions or on festive days, special lunch is given.

We need your prayers and encouragement to carry on with our work. ‘ROSHNI’ was begun with the motive of providing education and vocational guidance to our locality land the slums. This attitude has to be carried on right from the teachers to the children and they must strongly believe in the policy of ‘Each One Teach One’ to make a difference in not only in our lives, but also the lives of others. Hence the school children of Loreto Elliott Road regularly teach the Roshni children as part of their SUPW Work.

This year 2005, from the month of May, a new loving and sharing scheme was introduced by Sr.Sunanda for the SUPW girls who come to teach the poor children daily. Atleast once a month the girls come and share their tiffin with the Roshni poor children.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME

School Lunch Programme is a part of Loreto Elliott Road from the time of its conception. It’s an effort of Loreto Community to reach out to the needy irrespective of class or religion.

There are about 50 girls in the Senior Section and another 60 girls in the Junior Section under this free lunch programme this year (i.e. 2005-2006).

Children are served hot lunch cooked in the school kitchen on a regular basis. Every morning fresh vegetables are bought for this purpose. Non veg – i.e. meat or eggs are given twice a week, chicken is served on special occasions. Children are given dry lunch like buns, bananas, sweets when they go home early e.g. days of exams. Seva Kendra – Calcutta helps us with provisions in this lunch programme. We are happy to be able to provide lunch for the needy children.

H.D.C.L    PROJECT

Study Centre at Loreto Elliott Road.

Timing :            2.15 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.  &

Days :               Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

No. of children ;    37

There is a teacher of Loreto Sealdah with them. They are working with the domestic child labour. They come to this Study Centre. They teach them, they play and do other activities. They give them training like life skill training, safety awareness of child abuse etc. Some of the girls are going for the Vocational Training Course in Loreto House, they also attend the Centre once in a week. Some of the Roshni children who are domestic workers also attend our Study Centre. They students of Loreto Elliott Road have helped them a lot in getting many of the domestic workers. The children love this place and enjoy coming here.