Dear Readers,

Greetings from DHAN Karunai Illam.

DKI November update brings you the health and education status of Illam and Satellite Centre children. Campus development activities, leads from virtual weekly meetings, events and field visits conducted in the October month were captured in the update. Ms. Jean Watson’s birth anniversary and children’s participation were also highlighted. We look forward for your feedback and support.

We look forward for your feedback and support.

Children Health Status

Children and their families are healthy and safe at their residents. Children are ensuring the safety measures and hygiene practices in the villages. Illam staff and staff at satellite centres rigorously following up the SoMaHa practices among the children either through phone or through home visits. With the due onset of the rainy season, health preventive measures – drinking hot water regularly, maintaining hygiene premises – were disseminated among the children and their families, in order to prevent viral injections.

Children Education

Taking forward the doorstep educational initiative, home assignments have been continuing among Illam and Satellite Centre students. Evaluation on weekly basis aiding the students to aim for development. Ministry of Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, provided second term books to 6 th and 7 th standard students. Illam and Satellite Centre children in 6 th and 7 th standards received their books during the month.

Admissions 2020-21

Thirty-five children are currently residing in Illam. Of the several applications received, eight students were given admissions through the consultations with the admissions committee. Admission process for the eight children was completed by 15 th October 2020. As a next step, admitted children and their parents were suggested to procure all the necessary certificates from child welfare committee.

Virtual Meets for Holistic Development

Virtual meetings have been on-going since post-lockdown, on every Saturday. Expert committee involving in the meeting includes: Mr. Vasimalai, Executive Director of DHAN Foundation; Mr. Raghavan, In charge of Karunai DHAN Nursery and Primary School; Mr. Pandi, Balar Nilayam, Karadikal; Mr. S. Iyyappan, Regional coordinator, Dindigul Region. From Illam, Mrs. K. Anbu, Mr. G. Gomathy Murugan and Mr. P.R. Saravanan participates in the virtual meeting.

Children Admission 2020-21, Study Centre and ITI, Illam Master Plan, Satellite Centre and the agricultural development in the Illam Campus were taken as agendas for the October weekly meetings.

Ensuring the retention rate of the newly enrolled children, providing theoretical learning at the Illam’s Vocation training centre and providing field practical learning by enrolling the students at the workplace, imbibing value-based education at the satellite centres with the support of Karunai DHAN School were the lead action points out of the weekly meetings.

Value Additions

With a special focus and agenda every month, specific assignments were provided as a part of value addition for the children of Illam and Satellite Centres. In October, children were asked to prepare village economy charts and the livelihood opportunities that are prevailing in their village. Comprehending the economic and livelihoods status of their respective villages ensures the children to broadens their perspectives, and to aim high in their lives. Practice of yoga among Illam and Satellite Centre students has been regularized and on-going without any disruption.

Campus Development

Agricultural land had been ploughed and prepared for sowing. Rainfall received in the month supplemented soil’s moisture demand. Cattle and goats in the campus supplying the manure requirements. Organic farming initiative in the Illam contributes to the nutritional requirement of the children.

Field Visits

Illam staff visited the homes of ten children. Assignments evaluation, educational guidance, health and hygiene practice measures were provided to children. Children and their family members were oriented toward new normal practices. Health volunteers from Kalanjiam federations, on weekly basis, ensured home visits to the remaining children.

Celebrations

28 th October marked the birth anniversary of Ms. Jane Watson. Because of the pandemic, the celebrations were planned with staffs alone. To the surprise of Illam staff, they received calls from children asking about the proceedings and their interest in taking part in the celebrations. Eleven children graduated from Illam presented for the celebrations. Two of the eleven attended the celebrations along with their parents. Six children currently with the Illam also attended the celebrations. In one of the proceedings, children have shared the good things they’d done recently among themselves.