Planet Hope children's magazine - The creation of our heart beats - Edition 5, November 2012

Creativity Version

Introduction This is the 5th edition of our magazine, “The Creation of Our Heart Beats. This time we have dedicated our magazine to Creativity and Imagination. Four members, two from Carmel Ghar girls home, two from Planet Hope home were selected as the editors of the magazine: Durga, Pooja, Kiran and Sathish.

We ourselves planned the programs for the magazine and organized the events. With the social workers we decided that it is important to have some workshops to improve the creative skills for the children of Planet Hope and Carmel Ghar. And imagination is the source of creativity. We have organized different activities, competitions, experience sharing by different artists and recourse persons and had a good learning experience.

In the summer (holiday)month's volunteers came to contribute to the programs in Bangalore. In July Mrs. Andrea and her family came to help at Planet Hope home, Carmel Ghar and Ashrayadeep programs. They painted the computer room for the Planet Hope children, contributed to the homework guidence and English lessons. In August Marielle and mrs. Diana came to give workshops drawing and painting to the Cramel Ghar girls. The results are beautiful decorated walls in the sleeping rooms and the dininghall. We are really thankful to all the volunteers who came to India to spend time with us. Their visit gave us the opportunity to develop ourselves and to practice speaking English. We like to thank them for their kind contributions to us.

In the magazine we present what we have experienced and learned during the past months in Planet Hope, Carmel ghar and Ashrayadeep. We thank all the well wishers, supporters and coordinators of Planet Hope for their kind help during the translation, designing and printing of this magazine. Also we would like to thank Br. A. Backianathan, our new director of Planet Hope, who provided us with all the help for the realization of the magazine.

The kids of Planet Hope

Since June Brother Backianathan is our director of Planet Hope Home. He is also responsible for other programs in Bangalore. Brother Backianathan helps us with homework guidance and computer lessons and makes sure the program for us is well organized.

Three new sisters came to live with us and take care of us like we are their own children.

We asked brother to write an article about the history of Planet Hope home and why he likes to support us.

Brother's message “Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka State is nicknamed as “Garden City” for we come across flower gardens that add splendor and beauty wherever we go. In the recent years this city has become the “silicon valley” of India because of the ever escalating and never ending computer enterprise.

Ironically here live the richest and the poorest of the poor projecting a dissimilar way of life. When there are many such poor communities in the out skirts of Bangalore city I would like to focus a community called the Stone Quarry Community, where poverty, ill health, accidents at work place, alcoholism and death are very common. When there is an aroma of fragrance at one end of this great city we experience bad odor at the other end. When we see children in uniforms from posh localities throng the gates of renowned schools we see children in rag-picking and staying in slums with none to spare care and concern on them. When costly foods are thrown away into the dust at one end there remain a lot of empty stomachs at the other end awaiting a meal a day particularly the small children from the quarry workers' quarters.

Years back the above scenes drew the attention our Brothers' Community that compelled them to take immediate measures and to find a solution to redress the grievances of these poor children of the quarry workers mainly on their education, food, clothing and shelter under one roof. As a result “PLANET HOPE'' came into existence in the year 2004. At present Planet Hope supports 135 children from 15 stone quarries near and far from Bangalore down town.

Presently I have been appointed as the Director of Planet Hope home. Really it is a rewarding and gratifying experience for me to be involved in the noble mission of taking this home exclusively meant for poor children of the quarry workers”.

Bro. Backianathan Ambrose SHJ Director- Planet Hope and other related institutions.

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Great time with volunteers Sometimes volunteers come to visit us during their holidays. It gives us an opportunity to practice speaking English and to share different cultural habits.

In July Mrs. Andrea and her family came to visit.

One day Andrea aunty and her family painted a computer room for Planet hope.

They also decorated the room with many pictures and colors and now the room looks wonderful and we are so excited to have our computer lessons there.

In August Marielle and mrs. Diana came to visit us.

With the Carmel Ghar girls they gave a workshop drawing and painting. We were invited to design a painting per sleeping room and the diningroom. We started in small groups to make different drawing on paper. Per room we choose one painting and made a scetch on the wall. Next we painted it and used different colours. It was so exciting, all of us never painted like this. Our rooms are so nice now.

During parentsday we showed it to our family, they are very proud, did not know we were able to create this.

W e a r e thankful to Mrs. Andrea and her family, Marielle and Mrs. Diana that they gave us wonderful experiences..

By, Kiran

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Workshop on creative thinking and story Writing competition by Fr. Roy Father Roy came to Planet Hope home to have a workshop with us. He came with many playing materials like balls, pipes etc. we were exited seeing all that. He did many jokes and activities to make friendship with us. He gave us different games like he had a full sack of balls. He spread it to the ground and asked as to collect as many as possible. We tried collecting as many balls as that we can collect by pushing everyone back. But as we tried to collect more, more balls slipped out from our hold. It was so funny and we learned that we must be patient enough to collect things.

Then he asked as to fit it on the top of a pipe and balance it without falling down. First it was too difficult and we thought we cannot do that. But father said it is possible if you have good concentration and will power.

After that he had many chart papers with so many pictures and he showed us that. The pictures were so wonderful.

By Anitha

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Glass painting workshop

The whole activities during summer month's were based on the topic, creativity and imagination. The glass painting workshop was also a part of that.An activity workshop on glass painting was conducted for us with the aim of improving the creativity and imagination of us by practicing creative activities.

Christina madam, who is working in a children's home near Planet Hope, came to teach us the glass painting. She came with pieces of glasses, paint and papers with pictures. First, she introduced her selves and spoke to us nicely about glass painting. Then she showed us some papers with pictures of rose flower, puppies, bear, butterflies etc‌ and asked us to select one out of that. We were divided into four groups and we selected two pictures each for every group. And a team leader was selected to maintain the discipline.

There was a black color liner among the paint. We kept the picture under the glass and drawn the outline for the picture. Then she showed us how to paint it with colors. It was fun and we played with colors. She told us to use our creativity in coloring and painting. So we made different shades with different colors. Now we have got 8 glass paints and we have displayed it in our study room.

After the workshop, Christina madam told us it is important to have patients, discipline, good imagination and talents for making good art.

By Shivaleela and Sathya

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Story telling competition for the younger ones A story telling competition was conducted for the kids of Planet hope in a Saturday evening. The competition was for the small kids of the age 8 to 12. Thirteen children have given their name for the competition.

We gathered together and the name list were read out. All were very nervous and memorizing the stories. The magazine coordinators, Durga, Pooja P, Kirran and me were the judges. It was my first experience to judge a competition. Manu sir has given the judges a scoring sheet to write the scores based on the confidence of the story teller, the beauty of the story, the body language of the story teller and the loudness. We put points out of ten for each.

The program was very interesting. Everybody has told different stories. Most of the stories were about animals and birds. A few were about grandmother and grandfather lived in a village. Some stories were in English, some were in Tamil and some were in Kannada. The kids enjoyed the story telling and we enjoyed the judging.

At the end of the competition, we the magazine coordinators, have sat together and decided the winner according to the points given by all of us.

The winners are: 1st Prize: G. Sathish, 10 years old 2nd Prize: Jennifer, 8 years old and Vignesh, 11 years old 3rd Prize: Muthu, 10 years old By Sathish

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Interview with the new St. Mary's school principal By Soumya. M and Nethra. R St. Mary's High School What is your name?

My name is Br. Vijo. M. Devassi Do you like children? Why? Yes, I like children, they are so loving and lovable.

Where were you working before?

I was working in St. Mary's High School in Raghunathapally, Andra Pradesh, for four years as principal.

What is your qualification?

MA, B.ed, Diploma in Bible, Spirituality and Gandhian thoughts.

How many members are there in your family?

I have two brothers.

Where are you coming from?

I come from a place called Manjapra of Ernakulam district in Kerala.

Do you like Planet Hope children? Why? Planet Hope children are rich in hard experiences of life. They can even bloom from the fire. They are the eye witness of social transformation.

What do you like to do for our school?

Hard work of staffs and students will do everything to the school.

My work is to be so happy about it.

What are your hobbies?

I collect paper cuttings of historical events.

Do you like to work as the principal of St. Mary's High school, Bangalore?

Of course, I like it very much. Because, our students are questing for knowledge, our teachers are down to earth in their services.

More than that, it is a challenge to me, of how I am going to take the school and its standard to a higher level.

Thank you brother.

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The football match in Planet Hope Some volunteers has arranged a football match for us on a Saturday in Planet Hope home. It was like an original game and we had four teams and competed each other.

It was a great experience and we all played with great fun. 6 members were in a team. Volunteers have distributed medals and trophies for the winner teams.

It was great fun we had on that day .we like to have more games like this!

By Vinuthraj

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Girls' day out Every year we have a day out during summer holiday. Sisters took us to the Bannergetta National Park. We went by bus and it was a nice journey with radio music and chats each other through the Bangalore city. We saw parts of Bangalore some of us never saw before. Bangalore is becoming a modern city with huge buildings, shopping malls and the new metro.

When we reached the park, we waited for some time to get the tickets because lots of families were there to have a day out. The park is famous for its jungle safari. We were so excited when the man called us for the forest journey. We all had a seat in a “safaribus�. It was so adventurous, and we saw wild animals like Lion, Tiger, Bear, Reindeers, wild buffalo etc, though we were a little afraid, we enjoyed the safari. The most beautiful animal is the famous white tiger; we have seen it so closely!!

After finishing the bus journey through the forest we came down to the zoo to see more animals that are not very furious or dangerous. We saw different kind of monkeys, very funny they were! Also we saw different varieties of birds like Parrot, dove, wood pecker, sparrow, pigeon etc. the zoo was wonderful and the most frightening part were snakes! There were lots of dangerous snakes too.

At the end of the day we played at the huge playground. It was a great day, exciting and playful!

We like to thank sisters for organizing this trip for us.

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Summer Campaigning in the Stone quarries during the holidays The teachers and field animators of the Ashrayadeep day care center and dispensary has conducted summer campaigning in the stone quarries to spread the awareness on education and health. The primary concern of the program was to find new children for the day care center for the next academic year after the summer holidays and to make the parents informed about the Planet Hope services and day care center programs.

The teachers and the field animators visited all the bundes and visited the home of existing children. The teachers have collected a profile of the new children with the primary details of the children as well as the family. A parent's th teacher's meeting was scheduled on 15 of June to welcome the new kids and parents to the day care center. The nurse of the Dispensary, Sr. Maria has inaugurated the program and spoke to the parents about the features of the new program and syllabus in the day care center and the needs for children's education, security and social care.

The last year's children of the day care center were happy to see their teachers in the stone quarries and they welcomed them home. They have shared their experiences with the new prospect children and it was a fun time for them in the stone quarries as they were in the holiday mood. On the other hand some small ones were afraid to see their teachers in the stone quarries thinking that they may take them immediately to the class room and a few started crying!

But, it was an opportunity for the Ashrayadeep staffs to meet the parents and built a rapport with them so that their cooperation would be expected for the development of the child through Planet Hope initiatives.

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Ashrayadeep day care center: New Play ground and new dreams Before

Ashraya Deep daycare is a nice school for the small children who live in the stonequarries. During daytime they come to the daycare because it is not a safe place to be there while the parents are working. More over it is good for the small children to go to school.

Last year Ashraya Deep got new furniture, teaching and playing materials and new teachers.

Because of the support of the Homico foundation a new playground could be realized recently.

The construction works started this summer. There was lots of work that has to be done from the clearance of huge stone blocks that were dumped in the area.

Based on the plan made by professionals in the field of play ground construction for kids, the work has started and has successfully finished in the month of After September 2012.

The small children at Ashraya Deep like it very much. They enjoy playing there everyday and like to come to school now.

We are very thankful to Homico for supporting us.

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Interview with Sr. Bindhu, the new sister in Carmel ghar

What is your name?

My name is Sr. Bindhu Veliyil.

Where you are from?

I am from Kerala.

Do you like Carmel ghar? Why? Yes, I like to live in Carmel ghar because you girls are here!

What do you like to do for us?

I want to help you in your studies. I will also help you in learning good behaviour and how to help each other.

When you were a child, what was your ambition to become?

When I was a child, my ambition was to help others when needed. And I wanted to know their needs and do whatever possible for them.

How is your experience in Carmel ghar?

Yes, it is really a great experience and I feel lucky about it.

Which is your happiest moment in life?

The happiest moment in my life is when my sister was born with me.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are reading and enjoying music.

What are your suggestions for our betterment?

You have to study well to achieve a good future by keeping an aim in your life. You have to be very sincere with others and yourselves. Make use of the opportunity given to you and help each others.

What are your favourite food items and your favourite colours?

I like all kind of food! And my favourite colours are red and white.

By Pooja. P, Pooja. G and Rekha

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Interview with Mrs. Andrea

by Carmel ghar girls Sumithra: What are the differences Kokila: What are your favorite you find in Indian children and f o o d i t e m s o f I n d i a ?

Netherlands children?

We love Indian curry with chicken I think all children are just as sweet. and dal.

I think the difference is in their upbringing, so I think in India Durga: What do you want your children learn to have more children to become? What you are discipline, and learn at very young going to teach them? age that nothing is for free.

For each of the children 'doing your And if you want to become a best' means something else, 'someone' that you have to work because everybody has it's own hard for that, like you girls do. In abilities. I want them to become Holland the children learn this too, honest people who are interested but maybe in a later age. in the world around them and the people who live in that world.

Vijayalakshmi: How was your experience in India? Do you like it?

Durga: What are your suggestions We like India very much, especially for our improvement? south-India. We also love the nature of India, the colors and the Keep doing your best and continue food. And ofcourse we like all speaking English with each other. children of PlanetHope. We loved Practice your English writing skills to play and smile in the mornings at as well as English talking, that is Ashraya Deep, where the children very important. Don't be afraid to were so funny and cheerful. make mistakes. You can only learn and develop by trying.

Then in the afternoon to the children of PlanetHope, the sweet Always think about your goals, girls and the tough boys.Playing what you want to become after you football, kiting, painting the graduated. What do you need to do computerroom.And you girls of to get there? And talk about it with Carmel Ghar, almost women! your teachers, the sisters and Working so hard for your future!. parents how to realize it.

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Workshop On Seasons and Creativity A workshop on Seasons was conducted by Mr. Manu Abraham, the program coordinator of Planet Hope India for the Carmel ghar girls during the summer program. The idea was to improve the creative skills of the children by imagining the specialities and features of different seasons and develop an art on the same. The girls were divided into three groups and an article was read out as the part of reading session that can improve the reading ability of the girls too.

It was a great experience because of the fun in reading the

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article in group wise and thinking of the season to make a picture of it. The groups were divided with good painters are included in each group.

After the session, the groups were assigned to make a drawing of different seasons. We sat in the night together and put out the idea of painting and finally it came out well.

We put together different elements and feelings that we experience during various seasons. Sir told us that it is an opportunity to express o u r c re at i v i t y t h ro u g h go o d imagination and thinking. He told us never copy things from books and create new things and ideas yourselves. We are proud to present you that.

Empowerment program by volunteers of Compassion

Antony and his group of friends from an organization called Compassion has come to Carmel Ghar and conducted empowerment programs for us. The program included various games, music and cultural activities. All the games were very interesting and every one had a piece of thought in it. They gave us fruits and sweets and made the programs colourful with activities.

It is very important that we should keep our promises right. They spoke about the meaning of promise and how important it is in related to ones personality.

They came in a group with music instruments and playing materials. They taught us many songs and we dance with them. Team work is very important in life; they taught us by giving different examples and games.

They taught us action songs, that was our favourite.

We learned a lot and it was great fun! We are living together in a group always, so we have to respect and understand others. Always we should try to be a good team player by supporting others in their studies and other activities. They also shared many jokes that made us laugh and made us think. We are thankful to Anthony, Sr. Ciny and Sr. Elizabeth for arranging this program for us.

Carmel Ghar girls

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Family Story Hai my dear ones, I am Sneha. I am 9 years old and live in Planet Hope. I am studying in 3rd standard, St. Mary's school. My sister, Supriya also lives with me in Planet Hope. I love my sister very much. I have a brother too at home. thHe is very small and studies in L.K.G. Supriya is 11 years old and studies in St. Mary's school, 5 standard.

My father, Ananda is a tractor driver in stone quarry and my mother, Sudha is a tailor. I and my sister, both are good in studies and we both passed in the entire subject during last exam and have promoted to next class. We are very happy for that. My best friends in Planet Hope are Meena, Rani and Muthulakshmi. We are very happy in Planet Hope because we have many friends to share our happiness, sorrow and all the feelings.

There are sisters and good care takers to help us. Anusha madam and Monica madam are very friendly with us.

Painting, dancing, chatting with friends and watching movies are my hobbies. Supriya is a great supporter of me and she is a good singer too. We have talent days and sports time every week ends. We like that very much because we can play a lot and have fun. It will help us to forget all our pains and sorrows that we have in our family. My mother is alone at home as my father left home. I want to become a doctor and help her when I grow up. Our mother comes to visit us every Saturdays. We love her very much. My mother is very happy for the help that is getting for us f r o m Planet Hope.

With love, Sneha and Supriya

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Family story Hello, we are John Peter and Mathew. We are brothers. Both of us are living in Planet Hope.

We have one more brother, his name is Vincent and he lives at home with our uncle and aunty. We lost our mother when we were young.

After that our uncle and aunty are taking care of us. We came to Planet Hope in 2009 as our uncle contacted the Sacred Heart Brothers and requested for the service of Planet Hope since it is difficult to manage all our studies and living expenses. But we are really grateful to our uncle and aunty for they have put lots of effort to ensure our good future by sending us to planet hope and taking care of our younger brother at their home. Our uncle is a carpenter and aunty is a house wife. Our father is an auto driver in Chennai, and hardly comes to visit us. Our aunty, uncle and grant mother are everything for us.

Both of us were studying in Alphonsa Tamil medium school and last year, me, John Peter has passed the tenth standard and promoted to higher secondary education level. Now I tham studying in BBMP Junior College, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore. Mathew is in 9 standard this year. Both of us are doing well in our studies as well as extracurricular activities. We are very much interested in arts and games from our childhood itself.

Our ambition is to get a decent job through the support of Planet Hope and take care of the brothers and our beloved ones in Planet Hope home in the future.

Thank you so much.

John Peter (Age: 17) and Mathew (Age: 14)

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PLANET HOPE INDIA Mission: Educating the poor children of quarry workers and slums to find a livelihood of peace and plenty in the future enjoying the childhood happiness what they have been rejected at this tender age.

PLANET HOPE HOME Started in 2004 this home accommodates and provides food, shelter, clothing, education love and care to children who hail from the poor families of the stone quarry workers. As such the situation we identified some 130 children and have accommodated them in Planet Hope. This home for children is run for the betterment of the poor children.

ASHRAYADEEP DISPENSARY Ashrayadeep dispensary is exclusively for the medical and first aid care of stone quarry workers and their families. Medical consultation and distribution of medicines are done freely. Under mobile clinic program medical treatments are available at door steps. Health camps are conducted from time to time to bring in awareness on hygienic living and sanitation. There is a qualified physician and nurses to serve the patients. People of 15 stone quarries avail this opportunity.

ASHRAYADEEP DAY CARE CENTER Ashrayadeep day care center is attached to the dispensary to serve the kids in need.

Our field animators go to the stone quarries every day and take the children of the stone quarry workers to the Day Care center and take care of them during the day time. Children in the age group 1-6 are accommodated here. Children attending school are sent to their schools and the young ones are kept in the center which is equipped with study and play materials of international standards. Well qualified and trained teachers take care of the emotional, social , physical and educational care and security of the children. Mid day meal is served freely with periodical medical checkups to ensure nutrition and health of the individual child.

CARMEL GHAR: Adolescence is a period of stress and strain in the life cycle of growing children particularly of girls. Carmel Ghar, a special home that accommodates girls of 13 years and above. These girls are shifted from Planet Hope Home and are left to the care of sisters. It is imperative that these girls feel safe and security and get supported in the age related issues, physical growth and changes, psychological developments and social awareness in the company of the sisters. Besides the above they continue their education for a better future and are given carrier guidance through empowerment programs simultaneously.

In a nutshell all the above organizations are children related and aim at promoting the welfare of the deprived children from the stone quarries and slums in the out skirts of Bangalore. Our congregation aims at making arrangements for the right survival, protection, education, participation and socio-economic development in a society that refuses all the above to these poor neglected children.

This is all possible for us through the generous contributions and donations we received from socially committed people, like minded people and foundations: stichting Solidair met India, het Jianderfonds, Stichting Medisch Werk Mumbai and stichting Planet Hope NL.

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