Sandesham: Looking back
Sandesham has been around many years and every year we have been able to accomplish a little more to help make a difference in our community. Some of the highlights that are worth mentioning:
Earth day is celebrated every year to demonstrate the significance of environmental protection. Children are educated on water conservation, the significance of preserving earth's resources, and how to use recyclable material instead of plastic. Planting trees is an important activity which is encouraged throughout the year.
As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Sports day is organized throughout the year at Sandesham which includes sack race, socks and shoe races, balancing the book, 100 meter race and so forth. Playing sports helps kids in strengthening the immune system, maintaining physical coordination, enhancing body strength and thus keeps the mind peaceful, sharp and active with improved concentration.
Our Health Camps educate and create healthy habits in the children so they can take and grow with them. We also offer free dental, eye exams to both the children and their parents. Main focus of these camps is health and hygiene. We also have had yoga instructors provide them basic yoga training. Besides education we provide fruits and eggs to the children. During summer months lemonade is a must. We give lemons to the children to not only make lemonade for themselves but also for their family to help them withstand the torturous Delhi heat.
Cultural activities occur every few months at Sandesham. They are organized to promote personal development in the children. The theme for the activities are based on the season or upcoming festival. Children get a platform to showcase their talent and also build confidence with the in house speeches, skits, dances, songs, painting, or fancy dress competitions. Children are also encouraged to make handicrafts (paper bags, diyas, rakhis, greeting cards) and Sandesham has set up stalls to demonstrate their creativity.
Generosity is another name for Sandesham. Our members have been very kind and donated shoes to each student and the teachers. Basic necessity items are consistently being distributed throughout the year. For example, before summer, every child was given a water bottle and before winter, clothes were distributed. These little acts of kindness have made a huge impact in the children's lives and we can see a tremendous improvement in their lifestyle, hygiene and health.
Our biggest achievement this year was getting 20 of our children admitted in Lord Mahavira school at half of the tuition fee per month.
