AFFECXN (Read: AFFECTION), is a Newsletter published by Catalyst for Social Action (CSA). Established in September 2002, Catalyst for Social Action (CSA) is a Not-For-Profit organisation dedicated to the cause of rehabilitation of orphaned children.

CSA works as a “catalyst” focusing on a holistic approach to child care and optimal rehabilitation outcome for orphaned children in the following domains -

?Transforming lives of orphan children via initiatives ranging from providing education and training, health and hygiene plans, nutritious meals and overall well being?Promoting and facilitating adoptions wherever possible

In the area of enabling holistic care of children, we support a number of child care organisations in the areas of Nutrition, Health & Hygiene, Education & Vocational skills, Infrastructural support and Recreation activities. We have increased the support being provided this year and are making a valuable difference to 2200+ children across 46 homes in 4 states that we support.

As part of our Adoption Facilitation process, we work with existing rural institutions to facilitate the quality, speed and number of adoptions in India. We have successfully facilitated over 200+ adoptions so far since inception. Our intention is to ensure that every adoptable child should find a home.

We work with orphaned children and focus majorly on their well-being,

care & protection. However, not much attention is given to the people

who work with these children day in or day out. In a regular family

setting, dealing with 1 child or 2 children on a daily basis can be a

daunting task filled with moments of joy, frustration, excitement,

dejection etc. Imagine dealing with 20-25 or even higher no. of kids

bursting with energy on a daily basis in an orphanage setting - mind

boggling and huge!

Staff and caretakers at orphanages are such a major influence on the

children and have a big impact on the way a child's future shapes up in

the orphanage. Being with so many children everyday coupled with long

working hours, can sometimes stress

childcare workers & unfortunately

children end up bearing the brunt of

their stress & frustration. This can of

course be detrimental and confusing

to children.

Therefore, it became increasingly

evident that as much as we support

the well-being of children in

orphanages, we must work with

orphanage staff too to address their concerns, stress management,

provide them with ways & means of dealing with children in a positive &

constructive manner and understanding children, their nature and

bringing out the best in children.

With this aim, CSA organized workshops for childcare workers and staff

who work with children in orphanages we support. We roped in child

specialists / councellors to conduct these workshops which were

interactive in nature and provided for a lot of dialogue between staff and

resource trainer. We received good response in terms of attendance and

positive feedback from staff regarding the way the workshops were

conducted.

Participants were handed 'Completion Certificates' at the end of the

workshop.

Some testimonials from

participants -

?"The workshop was helpful; some

children get angry often & do not

listen to us. We keep wondering

why? But after interacting with the

resource person, we understand

that child may be facing a

psychological problem. Now we are planning to take the child to a

doctor and seek medical help. "

?“The training was needed for our staff. This is the 1st time we were

able to attend a session like this with regards to how to behave with

children. Now we can understand some of our mistakes which we'll try

to rectify going forward."

?"Thanks to CSA for organising this

training. We'll surely put to use the

knowledge received at the

workshop in our day to day work. "

?"This was a wonderful session &

we look forward to future

workshops”

WORKSHOP FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS &

STAFF AT ORPHANAGES - In Focus!

n Support to Children in Orphanages:-

Health & Hygiene Support -

¬Follow up Health check up camps

have been conducted at all

orphanages. Close to 1400 check

ups have been done. Watch out for

the next edition for indepth

analysis and outcomes compared

to the last Health check up undertaken in Jul/Aug 2013....

¬In addition, Hygiene kit supplies for the next six months have also been

distributed to children

¬Children in need of treatment for

dental and eye related issues were

attended to

¬Skin care trainings highlighting the

importance of keeping the skin

clean were conducted across all

CSA supported orphanages. More

than 1400+ children attended

these sessions.

Nutrition Support -

¬We provide 400 children from the BVJSS orphanage in Pune with

seasonal fruits as part of additional nutritional support. Till date,

children have been provided with apples, chikoos, bananas,

strawberries, oranges etc.

Education & Vocational Skills Support -

¬Computer laboratory has been set

up at Balmandir orphanage in

Mumbai and 65 boys will be able

to avail of the facilities & benefit

from computer training

¬In Madhya Pradesh, a vocational

training assessment was carried

out for children at the Childrens Home in Jabalpur. Purpose is to train

children in courses that will generate employment opportunities in the

future

¬27 children from MP are being trained in 2 courses - 'Dona Pattal'

[paper plate making technique] and 'Office Stationery’

Infrastructure Support -

¬CSA supported the construction of few washrooms in Odisha - a much

required necessity for children

Fun and Recreational Activities -

¬Children are always intrigued by

so many things and especially

technology, so we decided to let

children explore the world of

Digital SLR cameras! Children in

some orphanages in Mumbai and

Odisha paid attention to the

different functionalities that were being explained & quickly gained

confidence clicking a few images themselves!

¬Festival of colors 'Holi' was celebrated with much gusto & excitement

in Goa & Odisha

NEWS FLASH - CSA Happenings!

NEWS FLASH - CSA Happenings!

¬'Gudi Padwa' was celebrated at the Observation homes for Boys and

Girls in Pune in the month of March. 200 children enjoyed eating a

traditional sweet 'Shrikhand' and participated in a Quiz contest based

on this festival

n Adoption Facilitation:-¬3 adoptions have been successfully facilitated since January

2014 by CSA [Maharashtra-3]

¬In all 38 children have been placed for adoptions in 2013-14

n Stakeholder Training & Sensitization:-¬CSA staff co-ordinated workshops for childcare workers and

staff associated with orphanages. For additional details on the

workshops, see our coverstory section above

n Advocacy & Research:- ¬CSA has taken a huge stride forward in getting orphanages to

comply with JJ Act 2000 by ensuring that ALL 5 children's

homes we work with in Goa have now obtained licenses as an

authorised registered home under the JJ Act! We work with 5

orphanages in Goa and support 230 children. None of these

orphanages were registered under the JJ Act previously. Through

consistent efforts towards sensitization of WCD officials and hand

holding orphanages with their documentation and record maintenance

systems, all 5 orphanages have now been granted licenses to function

as registered Children's Homes under the JJ Act, 2000. Children's

Homes can now avail of the benefits and funds earmarked under JJ

Act provisions.Now next step is to work towards raising standards of

children's homes as per JJ Act and making them 'model childrens

homes' in the State.

Handling a Camera

the children in the supported orphanages and adoption agencies. The

importance of the background work that needs to be done to

successfully support the orphanages was realized. Everyone at CSA,

including our mentor, Mr. Sidney Rocha, and the concerned department

leads gave us timely updates and answered our queries effectively to

help us speed up the learning process and thereby enabled us to

contribute more efficiently.'

VOLUNTEERING WITH CSA - In Action!

Bhushan, Mitali & Omkar interned with CSA for three weeks as part of

the NMIMS We Care program in February 2014. It surely turned out to be

a good experience for the interns. Read on to know what Bhushan and

Omkar had to share with us -

Bhushan - 'The internship was a great learning experience. It sensitized

me to the issues plaguing children in orphanages. It helped me realize

that there are so many things that we take for granted which are a luxury

to these children.

I learned various new things like the Juvenile Justice Act, Integrated Child

Protection Scheme (ICPS) and how activities like health check-up camps

are organized for the children. The entire staff of CSA was very helpful

and supportive and provided us with information whenever required. The

sincere efforts and the work that CSA is doing in the field of child

adoption is indeed praiseworthy and I hope they continue this great

work and expand their operation so that many more children can benefit

from their work.I would recommend to my friends and family to also

volunteer with an NGO like CSA so that people can get in touch with the

ground reality and the social issues plaguing children who are

underprivileged and are in child care homes.’

Omkar - 'The experience we had while working with CSA was really

enriching, especially because we got to understand various aspects of

the work carried out by CSA. Ranging from identifying all the important

stakeholders and making sure a harmonious relation is maintained with

them to helping the organization secure tie ups with companies to

benefit the various supported orphanages, all the activities involved

knowing about all the processes and possible positive impact on the

children that CSA supports. The field visits gave us a first-hand

experience about the significant difference that CSA makes to the lives of

Bhushan, Mitali amd Omkar with children at a Panvel orphanage

CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words!

Health check up camps, Dental & Eye treatments, Skin care awareness

Fun activities & Festivities

Vocational Support, Sports Equipment & Books, Special Needs Home, English Tutor

CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000

Words!

CSA ACTIVITIES - A Picture is Worth a 1000

Words!

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CSA IN MEDIA!

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http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?edorsup=Sup&wintype=popup&queryed=820027&querypage=8&boxid=60632&id=60169&eddate=2014-2-21&ed_date=2014-2-21&ed_code=820027

DNA-After Hrs/Mumbai: Social Initiative – Dadar based couple catalysing change

http://epaper.indianexpress.com/253616/Indian-Express-Pune/06-April-2014#page/20/2

Indian Express/Pune: After four year wait, nine families legally adopt children

http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/220414/p2.htm

Orissa Post/Odisha: Making Dreams Come True

Gomantak Times/Goa: NGO helps Goa orphanages get sanctity under Juvenile Justice Act

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention”

Donate today and become an active 'catalyst'!

Online Bank Transfer:

Volunteering:

We have a long way to go before we can truly say that sustainable, value based

care and support is being provided to children in adoption agencies and

orphanages.

CSA believes in the highest standards of governance and transparency and will

share project specific information with you.

We invite you to support our cause in the form of individual or corporate

donations / sponsorships. We have a host of donation options to choose from

and you can select appropriate options that suit your philanthropic needs.

Kindly get in touch with us for further information on donation options

available.

Cheque: Made payable to “Catalysts for Social Action” and sent to -

Address: CSA, C/o Accelya Kale Solutions Ltd, 3rd Floor, Modi House, Eastern

Express Highway, Naupada, Thane (W), Mumbai 400 602

To know more, call us or write in

To know more about how you can volunteer, get in touch with us

Landline: Mumbai - 022-67808888 | Pune - 020-24227090

Email: | Website:

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info@csa.org.in www.csa.org.in

https://www.facebook.com/CSAadoption

LEND US A HELPING HAND!