LETTER FROM HOME DIWALI EDITION (OCTOBER 2008) CONTENTS: TRIP TO MYSORE ...........................................................2 OTHER OUTINGS ...........................................................3 CHILD PROFILE: INTERVIEW WITH SAURABH SINGH ....3 THE CARE HOME IN PICTURES .....................................4 TRIP TO DAMDAMA LAKE: ............................................5 All donations/contributions to Naz are 50% tax exempt under section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act. Naz is registered under FCRA. All payments to be made only through cheque/DD in favour of “Naz Foundation (India) Trust.” ABOUT THE NAZ CARE HOME: The Naz Care Home is founded on the belief that all children have an undeniable right to a loving, fun-filled childhood which ensures access to education, health, and a safe, stigmafree environment. Today, Naz is home to 35 children between the ages of 20 months and 15 years living with HIV. In an atmosphere of love and care, we provide the required medical care, nutrition, schooling, and psychological support necessary for all children to thrive. A-86 East of Kailash New Delhi, 110065 INDIA +91.11.26.91.04.99 +91.11.41.32.50.42 www.nazindia.org ISSUE 7 Happy Diwali from the Naz Care Home! We have enjoyed a quiet time as we gear up for our Capital Campaign to raise money for the new Care Home. As I mentioned in my last letter, we have recently purchased land in South Delhi, and plan to start construction in 2009 on a larger Care Home that better accommodates the needs of our growing Naz family. Our efforts have received a welcome kick-start in the form of generous donations from two well-wishers: Navin Gupta, a long-time supporter of the Naz Care Home, and Saif Ali Khan, the Bollywood star. Saif Ali Khan starred in a special celebrity edition of Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? (the Indian version of Are You Smarter than a FifthGrader?), donating 100% of his winnings (Rs. 25,00,000, or $62,500) directly to the Naz Care Home. We are extremely grateful to both these supporters. The children in the Care Home have also been doing well since my last letter, and we are very happy to report that Meena, who was diagnosed as having a progressive brain disorder, continues to show signs of improvement in her health and abilities. Meena can now sit up without help for short periods of time, and she enjoys spending time with the other children, who continue to entertain and help her. Everyone celebrates Meena’s progress, and we are very obliged to our supporters and well-wishers who maintain an interest in Meena’s well-being. ANJALI GOPALAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE NAZ FOUNDATION (INDIA) TRUST Letters from Home TRIP TO MYSORE During their summer holidays, ten of our older children (Deepak, Prashant, Kushal, Akhil, Lalit, all three Saurabhs, Shivani and Maneesha) went on a trip to Mysore, a South Indian town near Bangalore. Mysore is known as the City of Palaces, and is a very popular tourist destination because of all the historical sites there. The children attended a camp called “Monsoon Magic”, organised by Dr. Mothi, who runs the organisation Asha Kirana in Mysore, The camp brought together 19 children from Delhi, Chennai, Mysore and Bangalore. They were fortunate enough to visit Jagamohana Palace; the main Palace of Mysore (both during the day and at night, when it is lit up); Chamundi Hill; St. Philomena Church; the Rail Museum and the Palace of Tipu Sultan. But the trip wasn’t only about sightseeing: the children Diwali Edition (October 2008) also went to the Zoo and a water park, attended sessions about “Relationships” and “The Basics of HIV”, participated in drawing competitions, and performed in front of a large audience at the Laxmi Public School. Deepak, Akhil, Saurabh Singh, Prashant, and Lalit won prizes in the drawing competition. During the session about “Relationships”, the children were asked to draw a picture showing their relationships with their families. The Naz Care Home children were nervous at first, but then they drew beautiful pictures of the large and special Naz family. All the children performed in a play called “Khulja Sim Sim”, Maneesha and Shivani danced, and Saurabh Singh sang, to wide applause and appreciation. Ten days later, the children returned to Delhi, having enjoyed a summer holiday that they will never forget! 2 Letters from Home Diwali Edition (October 2008) OTHER OUTINGS th On the 24 of May, all the children went on an outing to the Baha’i Lotus Temple. The children enjoyed viewing this beautiful building and playing in the large gardens afterwards. It was a very rewarding trip. Below: Sharvari and Santosh in Nehru Park Saurabh (right) with Prashant in Mysore While the older children were in Mysore, we didn’t forget about the younger children! On the 28th of June, they were taken out for a picnic to Nehru Park. The children enjoyed themselves very much. They ran, jumped and played around, enjoyed special treats and were very tired out by the end of the day. CHILD PROFILE: INTERVIEW WITH SAURABH SINGH On the 15th of July, Saurabh Singh, the oldest child at the Naz Care Home, turned 15. It was a very special day for everyone in the Care Home. Saurabh is very talented: he plays the harmonium, sings, and participates in English debate and poetry competition. He consistently ranks first in his class at school. One of our staff members conducted an interview with Saurabh about his life in the Care Home and his plans for the future. Interviewer (I): How does it feel to be the oldest child in the Care Home? Saurabh (S): I like being the oldest child, because I enjoy having so many younger brothers and sisters. It is a lot of responsibility though, because everyone expects me to set a good example. I: In a recent session, the children were asked with whom would they like to go on a long trip with. Most of the children chose you. How does this make you feel? S: It makes me feel happy. I like all the children, they are all my friends – that is why they chose me. I: What career do you want to follow? S: I want to be a Computer Engineer. I have been asking people what subjects I need to take and what plans I should make to achieve this. I: What are your favourite classes at school? S: Computer Science, English and Maths. I: What is your favourite activity? S: Singing. I have been taking singing classes for one year now, and have given many performances. (cont. on next page) 3 Letters from Home Diwali Edition (October 2008) (Interview with Saurabh Singh cont.) I: Who is your role model? S: Hritik Roshan. I: If you become a Computer Engineer, will you continue to visit the Naz Care Home? S: Yes, I will always come back here to visit my friends, and I also want to make money to help Naz. THE CARE HOME IN PICTURES Left: Meena (centre, in red shirt) with her friends from the Care Home. Below: Baby Sahil, now 20 months old. Above: Santosh (left) and Sharvari Below: Chetan on his way to school. Below: Meena (centre) with Babli (left) and Ritika. Right: Saurabh Sharma 4 Letters from Home Diwali Edition (October 2008) TRIP TO DAMDAMA LAKE: Left: on the bus on the way there. Right: Camel rides! Left: Seeta & Geeta, our funloving twins Bottom: Tug-of-war Right: Meena gets help making a pot on the clay wheel At the beginning of October, 19 of the younger kids from the Care Home went on a weekend trip to Damdama Lake, situated 60 km out of Delhi on the outskirts of Gurgaon. They were joined by some of the children from the Naz Home Based Care for Children program. They stayed in the Indira Gandhi Holiday Home, located on the banks of Damdama Lake, and the setting was absolutely beautiful. The children did arts and crafts, made pottery, and even rode a camel! But their favourite part was the obstacle course, which involved rope climbing, crossing a rope bridge, going down a zip line and jumping into a sand pit. The children also competed in tug-of-war, with each side pulling on one side of the rope, trying to pull the other side over. Everyone loved the huge sports fields, and the children ran up and down, enjoying the space and the green grass. There was also a magic show, where the magician managed to amaze and entertain everyone. In the evenings, the children danced to Bollywood tunes while a large campfire crackled in the background. On the way back to Delhi, the bus stopped at Sohna hot springs, which was an interesting sight. 5 SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME The Naz Care Home is supported primarily through donations. We encourage you to become part of our donor community and support our children with your financial or inkind donations: • Sponsor a child for one year: 48,000 INR / 1,200 USD (Payments can also be made in monthly instalments of 4,000 INR / 100 USD) • Sponsor an outing of your choice for all the children: 5,000 INR / 125 USD • Sponsor medications, hospital visits, and tests for a child for one year 12,000 INR / 300 USD (Payments can also be made in monthly instalments of 1,000 INR / 25 USD) • Sponsor a meal in the Care Home 2,000 INR / 50 USD Name_________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ Occupation__________________________ Organization_________________________________ Phone_______________________________ Email_______________________________ Please tick: __ Sponsor a child __ Sponsor a meal __ Sponsor medication __ Sponsor an outing __ Other Amount of donation __________________In kind donation______________________ Please return this form along with your cheque or in-kind donation to: Naz Foundation (India) Trust A – 86 East of Kailash New Delhi, 110065 INDIA Cheques should be made payable to: The Naz Foundation (India) Trust. Donations can also be made online at www.giveindia.org. Please find Naz India listed under the Health category. For other donation options (wire transfers, cash, etc.) and general inquiries, contact Anuradha Mukherjee, our Programs Manager: [email protected]. All donations are exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act of 1961. Naz website: www.nazindia.org; Phone: +91 11-26910499/41325042
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