A two-day event at Basanti Devi Colony school saw 60 members of the community learning about the importance of caring for the environment. CRS’s Education Centres teach basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as encouraging artistic expression through dance, music and drawing. An additional strand of learning is environmental awareness so that youngsters appreciate the world around them and the need to care for their local environment and its resources. Children from Basanti Devi Colony school and nearby Sukantanagar school, along with women from the community, attended sessions that culminated in the planting of saplings in the compound of the school. Children from the Environment Club have committed to caring for the trees as they grow.
Cathedral service focuses on CRS
On Sunday 2nd August, the whole of the morning service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata was given over to CRS. Members of the congregation learned more about the activities of CRS through presentations from Rig and other staff members. They heard choral pieces by children from some of the slum-based Education Centres and from young adults who attend the Training Centre for Differently-abled Persons. After the service, women from some of the self-help groups held an exhibition of their wares including embroidery work and tailored items.
Raising the roof
CRS works in partnership with neighbourhood organisations. These organisations provide premises while CRS funds and staffs programmes for the community. However, many of the buildings are either small or in poor condition. Over the years, CRS has supported infrastructure improvements through special fundraising. Different centres have received brick walls, new floors and flushable toilets.
In April, Jono Marcus took part in the 10k Mercy4Mankind run in Hyde Park, London. The aim was to raise money for CRS, specifically to replace the damaged roof of Mullajan Welfare Society in Bibibagan. The new roof is now complete. Inside, children from the surrounding slums can once again attend a school run by CRS both in safety and protected from the monsoon rains.
All eyes on Basanti Devi Colony
At the end of July, CRS teamed up with Netaji Eye Hospital to hold an eye camp at Basanti Devi Colony School in Kolkata. The CRS health team visited the neighbourhood in advance to inform the community about the free check-ups available. On the day, 87 people had their eyes checked. Eight people were identified as needing a cataract operation while 25 people were prescribed spectacles. Treatment and medicines were given free of charge thanks to the event’s sponsorship by Larsen & Turbo, an Indian engineering company.
Wedding guests donate over £1,000 to CRS
Anashua and Robert Davies from Sidcup, Kent, were married recently. Their wedding guests were invited to donate money to two chosen charities rather than give the couple gifts. We are absolutely delighted that CRS was one of those charities and overwhelmed by the generosity of their friends and family who gave over £1,000 towards the work of CRS in Kolkata. Congratulations to Ana and Robert, and thank you!