“I am proud of my Didi.” - Alok
 



Team: SJ1
Teachers: Mansi Didi
Volunteers: Radhika Didi, Rajasvi Didi, Amrita Didi,and Roxanne Didi
Helper: Geeta Didi
Educational Coordinator: Dimple Didi
Social Worker: Dheeraj Bhaiya
Sponsor: Citigroup Foundation


We are learning:
  1. English
  2. Math
  3. Life skills
  4. Decision making
  5. Goal setting
  6. Careers
  7. Empowerment

Our Favorite Thinking Questions are:
1. If your mother tells you that she will buy you any present what would you ask for?

- I would ask my mother to present me with a good thought to guide me through the day.

2. If you could change the colour of the sky what colour would it be?

- I would paint the sky white to spread the message of peace.

- I would paint the sky green to represent life and freshness.


An insight into our children
 
“I like the thinking questions which help me think and gain knowledge. Akanksha teaches us different activities in a fun way. Akanksha has also taken us to several places that neither our parents or school has taken us. Through these outings we learn a lot and have fun.” Laxmi
 
“I like the Friday assessments because it shows me how much I have learnt. If we do our works well Didi gives some free time to do some fun activities. I also go for the dance classes on Sunday. I also go for art class on Saturday. I have learnt to paint with watercolours and make cards. Didi gives us a topic on the board and we sit in groups and draw and paint on the sheet. We also write rhyming songs on what we draw. I love to come to centre everyday. I have learnt to work on presentations and talk in front of the whole class.” Nandini
 
“In Akanksha we learn lots of things like art, dance drama computers etc.. Akanksha Didi's and Bhaiya's guide us to build our career. They also help us in our studies so we can grow up and help our families.” Zareen
 
“I like to come to Akanksha because I can make a lot of new friends. Some times we fight but we love each other very much.” Sita



Programs and Special Events:

Our kids participate in:
  • Art Class
  • Drama
  • Computer class
  • Football
  • Mentor program
  • Social Leadership Program
  • Traineeship
  • Mumbai Marathon
  • Musical
  • AGM
  • Sports Day
  • Raell Padamsee’s show
  • Made our own magazine!


Bajrang Sitaram Powar, 14


Bajrang Sitaram Powar, 14, goes to Colaba Municipal School and is in class 7. He has been with Ak for three years. He has been a part of the Sports, Dance, Art and Computer programs. He enjoyed the computer program the most.
Bajrang comes from the Cuffe Parade community. At home he lives with his mother, father, and two brothers. His mother does housework and and father is a fisherman at Sasson Dock.

Kirtana Didi says that his language is a little weak right now, but he is brilliant at Math. Bajrang has been a huge battle for her. He was extremely mischievous and not at all serious about his work. Didi has been to his house several times to talk to his parents. Recently there has been a complete turnaround in his behavior. He has changed and now wants to be more responsible. Now he helps out Didi, tries to tell other kids to behave, and does his work. He is very confident now, and understands good from bad. Didi thinks he is much better prepared for life now.

One of his best days at Akanksha has been when they played cricket at JB. He was a good batsman and scored a total of 25 runs. One day he was walking to Colaba municipal school and saw a blind man crossing the road. He volunteered to help him cross the road. That day he felt good. He prefers Akanksha to his formal school because at Akanksha “Didi teaches me nicely and not beat”
Bajrang says, “First I am very naughty I doesn’t talk in English now I talk and also read English.”
He says after Didi coming to his house so many times and talking to his parents about his behavior he has changed a lot.



Annu Shetiyar, 14


Annu Shetiyar, 14, goes to St. Josephs High School and is in the 8th standard. She has been coming to Akanksha for many years and has been a part of a lot of programs including Drama, art, computer and empowerment class. She enjoyed her computer class very much.

Annu lives in the Cuffe Parade community with her mother, father, a younger sister and a younger brother. Both her siblings go to Akanksha centers as well. Her mother does housework in somebody’s house and her father is a cable man.

Mansi Didi says that Annu is quite smart and confident but tends to get a little laid-back. She needs constant support. She is a little unsure of what she wants to be but Didi thinks she is definitely prepared to go out there and face life.

Annu has taken part in Beyond School debate. She was very nervous the day before and thought she wouldn’t be able to do well. She did an excellent job on the day of the debate and won herself best speaker.

Annu is a very talented girl. She sings beautifully and is also good at drama. She was a Princess in the last Akanksha production “Operation Khazana”, where she wore a purple frock, which she loves, but unfortunately is too big to now get into it! Her favourite day at Akanksha has been when she with four other girls got an opportunity to meet Rahul Bose! She was very nervous but he was very good to them. They had to go to “Citywalk” (shoe store) where he gave them gifts and chatted with them.

Annu’s proudest moment was she sang, “There is a castle on a cloud” at her school in front of many people. “I didn’t win a prize, but I am very proud that day.” Normally she would not take part but after doing it once, she now takes part often and enjoys singing and dancing. She aspires to become an actress when she grows up.