A report by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) revealed India to have 287 million illiterate adults, the highest number in the world. While there is full literacy among affluent Indians, the poorest members of society are not projected to achieve universal literacy until 2080. In 1965, UNESCO declared 8th September as International Literacy Day. This year’s 50th Anniversary honoured five decades of efforts to increase literacy rates worldwide. Children from the Sihsu Jagat (Children’s World) programme at the CRS Education Centres in BD Colony and Sukantanagar organised this year’s celebration including songs and recitations by children and teachers. Women and girls who attend the CRS skills training programme also shared what difference literacy made to their lives.
Teachers’ Day celebrations
Teachers’ Day has been an annual celebration in India since 1962. It is held on 5th September, the birth date of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India. Children attend school as usual but, instead of normal classes, hold celebrations in appreciation of their teachers. Children at CRS’s 8 urban slum centres and four rural village schools celebrated in the day in their own ways. The students of CRS’s Training Center for Differently-abled Persons also held a celebration, enjoying a sing-a-long with their carers and teachers. In addition CRS organised a small get-together at the office headquarters to thank the teachers who make such an important contribution to the lives of children from poor and underprivileged backgrounds.
Not the end of the road
India is experiencing an unprecedented rise in the number of breast cancer cases across all sections of society. Unfortunately India also has one of the worst survival rates in the world, ranking highest for total number of women dying from breast cancer, and also for the number of healthy life years lost to the disease. Early detection and treatment is critical for improving survival rates. CRS organised two community awareness events on 23rd and 29th August. 42 women from BD Colony and 52 women from Dum Dum gathered to find out about more. Presentations were given by representatives from Hittaishini, a voluntary breast cancer support network whose members are all breast cancer survivors. The key message of the day was that breast cancer is not the end of the road.
Sibling celebration
Raksha Bandhan is an annual festival in India and Nepal that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. The name means ‘bond of protection’. It is a day when siblings wish each other happiness and goodwill. Sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on their brother’s wrist symbolising her love and prayers for his well-being. Then brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harm. Children from the Shishu Jagat (Children’s World) programme at the CRS education centres in Basanti Devi Colony and Sukantanagar organized a Raksha Bandhan celebration on 18th August.
Call for volunteers
We are looking for someone with an interest in fundraising to help apply for small grants. CRS’s new social enterprise, Nari Dana, employs slum women trained in sewing and embroidery to make products for sale in India and overseas. We need some extra finance to get the business up and running. Could you spend a few hours every week helping to identify possible sources of funding and prepare grant applications? This role would suit a young person who is thinking of working in international development. No previous experience needed. Find out more