Children from some of Kolkata’s poorest slums were privileged to enter the gates of Raj Bhavan on 14th December. Raj Bhavan, a grand palace built in Neoclassical style and completed in 1803, is the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal. 45 children from CRS Education Centres in Basanti Devi Colony, Bibibagan, Sukantanagar and Hastings were selected to attend a Christmas Party hosted by the Calcutta Foundation, an NGO, in the grounds of the palace. The children enjoyed playing group games, and received gifts and food packets. They also met with the Governor himself, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi.
Author: Karen Laister
Womens’ products on sale at fete
St Paul’s Cathedral grounds hosted the annual Diocesan Education Mission Fete on 5th December. Kolkata schools under the administration of the Church of North India put up stalls some offering mouth-watering snacks, others selling goods and gifts; there were also fun games to take part in. The proceeds of the fete are for the benefit of vernacular schools in the Diocese. CRS had a stall which displayed products for sale made by underprivileged women as part of the Empowerment programme. As usual, there was a range of beautiful handmade items such as embroidered tablecloths and handkerchiefs, clothing and bags, pickles and spices.
A carnival atmosphere … Part 2
Products made by women from CRS’s empowerment programme were on display at the St Paul’s Cathedral Grand Carnival on 7th November. The popular annual event held in the cathedral grounds includes produce stalls, refreshments, games and entertainment for all ages. On display at this year’s carnival were beautifully embroidered clothing, tablecloths and handkerchiefs, batik bags, crochet work, greetings cards, edible produce such as jam and sweets, and much more. All these were made by underprivileged women from Kolkata’s slums who have received skills training from CRS. On completion of their courses they can make high quality products for sale which helps to generate an income for their families.
A carnival atmosphere … Part 1
One hundred children from across the CRS Education Centres in Kolkata were selected to attend a Mega Children’s Day Carnival on 6th November. The event was hosted by La Martinere School, a private school in central Kolkata with an extensive campus. Each child received a gift bag and food packet, as well as 250 Rupees worth of coupons to spend at the carnival, on food and games. They all had a most memorable day with the staff and children of La Martinere School making them feel really special.
School teacher exchange programme
The Diocesan Board of Education in Derby, UK, secured a British Council grant for an exciting new exchange programme. In September, seven head teachers from church schools in Kolkata visited schools in the Derby diocese. In October the visit was reciprocated with a group of teachers from Derbyshire spending two weeks in India where they visited a range of education institutions from well-funded, prestigious schools to some of the CRS Education Centres which serve poor children in the slums.
It is hoped that this is just the start of enriching and long-lasting links between schools in the two countries. The British teachers noted that many of the Indian schools showed an extraordinary passion for transforming the lives of the poorest children, but few resources and little training. Among the follow up plans are UK teachers providing professional development for teachers in the slum schools through peer mentoring and model teaching, and fundraising to improve or replace 15 buildings which host the CRS Education Centres.