Distribution of emergency aid

Karen Laister Emergency aid, Fundraising

Many thanks to those who have already responded to our emergency appeal to help poor communities during the coronavirus lockdown in Kolkata.

On Easter Sunday food packets with basics such as rice, lentils, sugar, milk and oil were distributed to over 200 families. On Easter Monday the CRS vehicle went to another location and distributed a similar amount to very grateful recipients.

If you wish to donate so that food aid can be extended to other needy communities, please visit http://www.cathedralreliefservice.net/donate/uk/ to find out how.

           

Fun day of games

Karen Laister Celebrations, Children, Visitors

Children from CRS education centres across the city gathered on 01 February on the sports field of La Martiniere School for Boys for a special day of fun and celebration.

The group of teachers visiting from Derbyshire organised a range of games and activities, which were spread out across the grassy playing field.

Successful annual teacher training session

Karen Laister Teacher training, Visitors

Teachers from CRS Education Centres gathered together in January for another annual training session led by visiting teachers from Derbyshire. At each table there was demonstration and practice of different techniques for teaching using storybooks and simple resources. This is part of CRS’s commitment to continuing professional development for the teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

Another visit of partners from Derbyshire

Karen Laister Children, Visitors

January saw another visit of teachers from schools in Derbyshire to CRS as part of the long-term partnership between Derby Diocese and the Kolkata Diocese. The teachers spent time at the CRS Education Centres paired with their school back home.

Those who had visited Kolkata before were delighted to meet old friends and see how children have grown and developed. Those on their first every visit to India were overwhelmed by the welcome and the experience.

The photos below are of (clockwise from top left) Bibibagan, Topsia, Brace Bridge and Hastings.

   

   

New appointment at Nari Dana

Karen Laister CRS staff, Nari Dana

There’s a new production manager at Nari Dana, CRS social enterprise: Mr Sankar Das.

Sankar is a Master Weaver who ran a small family weaving business for ten years before being appointed as the production manager of a business unit set up in Murshidabad to manufacture woven and sewn products for export. It employed 48 women, many of whom were trafficked into prostitution in Kolkata.

The Murshidabad centre closed in 2019 as part of a business restructuring but Janet Roberts, who originally set up the venture, recommended Sankar to CRS.

Currently the CRS skills training programme for women and the production of items at Nari Dana focuses on sewing and embroidery, but there are plans for Sankar to introduce weaving training and a new line of woven products. To this end, we are going to purchase some of the looms and equipment from the Murshidabad business.

The photo shows Sankar (left) and Janet (third from left) with some of the women from Nari Dana.