All contributions to MESCO & MES may be made by Crossed Cheque / DD / Money Order Drawn in favour of “MESCO” or“MESCO Education Society” respectively; both are exempt under Section 80G of IT Act.

Registered Address: Natalwala Building, 110, V.S. Marg, Mahim, Mumbai - 400 016. Office Timings on all working days: Mon to Sat 9 am to 5 pmCompiled and Edited by: Dr. M.A. Khatkhatay Tel. No. 2444 1442 / 2640 5008 Telefax: 2444 8637 / 2640 5012

Website : www.mescotrust.org E-mail: mescotrust@yahoo.co.in / mescotrust@mescotrust.org

All views expressed in MESCO News belong to the author. The Organization need not necessarily subscribe to them.We invite your suggestions and comments on MESCO News.

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MESCO has been fortunate to be Blessed by the Almighty in having so many concerned well-wishers that, it has been striving to do its little bit progressing slowly but steadily.The past quarter was an activity filled quarter, both for MESCO and MESCO Education Society (MES). Work on the Crescent School Hall was in progress since a long time and this quarter saw it through to completion. However MES had put a proposal under the scheme, Infrastructure Development for Minority Institutes, to Govt. of India way back in 2008, which was finally approved and 50% of the grant was transferred to Govt. of Maharashtra before the end of last financial year, but till this date the grant has not been released due to bureaucratic procedure. We hear so much about large amounts earmarked under different schemes, we hear money remains unspent but our experience is to the contrary.This quarter saw MES add another two courses, Computer Hardware and Networking, and Information Technology while continuing with the earlier courses.We had two EAS Milap programmes where sponsors met their wards in flesh and blood and could empathize with their struggles to live a better tomorrow! This quarter also saw the launch of the Second Edition of our Ex-Students' Directory, enlisting details of 500 of our past students (our First Edition published in 2009 had details of 270 students). We thank M/s. Fazlani L’ Academie Globale for sponsoring the printing and launch. This quarter also saw the launch of our second (Fixed)

thDispensary at Kurla (East), on 18 December, 2011, bringing the total facilities to 5. This Dispensary as in the others (dispensary and the 3 mobile clinics have MBBS doctors), in addition has a Physiotherapy Unit, which is offering services at charity rates. Its services are already getting recognized.This quarter also saw us giving short projects to 19 PGDBM students of ITM Business School, who would be spending an entire month as a part of NGO sensitization. We already have 3 MSW students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences.MESCO has been registered by Credibility Alliance and Give India, and now has been registered by CAF America. We were informed by Dr. S. Bhowmick, Chairperson of Executive Committee National CSR Hub, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai that they have empanelled MESCO on their website until March, 2015.

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MESCO NEEDS SPACE FOR ITS OFFICEMESCO is looking for a suitable space for its office at least 2000 sq. ft. on reasonable rent , so as to house all the sections under one roof. We would like the office to be conveniently located for our beneficiaries (preferably walking distance from the railway station). The office could be either in Mahim, Dharavi, Bandra (East), Kurla, Jogeshwari in order of priority. Our well wishers who may be aware of suitable premises are requested to contact Dr. M. A. Khatkhatay (9820768492) or Mr. Ahmed Sheikh (9619120629).

There is always somebody worse than us!MESCO's RATION SUPPORT TO THE RESCUE

*Sameer (Name changed) used to live at Kurla with his family consisting of wife and 2 sons; both the sons were teenagers when calamity struck the family. One fine morning (shortly after the Babri Masjid demolition) Sameer left home for his work never to return; it's almost 20 years since; the elder son after disappearance of his father was picked up by the police for some crime he was unaware of; he was in the lockup for 2 years and that changed his entire life; the trauma that he went through had made him a recluse; now for last two years he is unable to move about due to lack of co-ordination of his limbs and is totally bed-ridden all this while. The second son was the sole earning member of the family (brother, mother, wife and three small children; eldest 4 years and youngest around one year of age); he used to work at a chappal shop. A year back he suffered a stroke of paralysis which affected one side of his body and due to which he is unable to work. Now the entire burden is on his mother who works as a housemaid earning Rs.1,600/- per month; the daughter in law has to look after the three small children. The doctors have suggested medicines which costs Rs.1,700/- per month. The family has been finding it extremely difficult to survive; MESCO has taken the family last month under its Ration Support Scheme getting to know about their condition through its Medical Aid Scheme; the son was supported under the General Medical Aid scheme, for medicines for 5 months until October, 2011.(MESCO has been supporting 250 such really marginalized families under its Ration Support Programme. The above is one such case which was recently adopted under this scheme, and highlights how helpless some people living around us!)

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We have been very fortunate to have the support of many many donors who support us in myriad ways, many contributing in kind as well.

MEMBERSHIP: Life Members: Mr. Sachin Sharma and Ms. Maifeeza Shaikh both our alumni have joined the rank of our Life Members.

NEWSPAPER COLLECTION: During this quarter we received a total of Rs.5.7 lacs from newspaper collection from about 2700 households spread over the city and suburbs, in addition to receiving Rs.1,39,400/- as Zakat and Rs.99,781/- as donation.

DONATIONS: towards: Crescent School: Ms. Roxana Talib, Mr. Faizaan Pathan, Drs. Mr. & Mrs. Shoaib Padaria and Dr. Naseem Fakhruddin Padaria, Mr. Husain Nalwala, M/s. A.E. Kalsekar Educational and Welfare Trust. Medical Support: Mr. Faisal Wahedna, Mr. Tanweer Khalfay, Mr. Arif Khopekar and donors through M/s. Give India. Corpus Donation: from Mr. M. Yusuf Ramali, Ms. Shakera and Mr. Jehangir Nagree. Education Scholarships: We received donations from M/s. Global Trade House and M/s. Muslim Aid.

ZAKAT: We are grateful to Mr. Adamji Jasdanwala, Ms. Fatima Jasdanwala, Ms. Faeeza Jasdanwala, Mr. Arshad Jasdanwala, M/s. AFMI, and Mr. Yusuf Esmailji Nalwala for their Zakat contribution.

SPONSORSHIPS:Mobile Clinic: M/s. Lesta Packaging contributed towards the annual sponsorship of the City I (Wadala/Kurla) Mobile Clinic. Sewing Machines: Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Shabbir Ali, Mr. Mohammed Yusuf Ramali, Mr. Irfan Modak, all sponsored sewing machines during this quarter.HCES: Mr. Sajid Sayed, Dr. (Mrs.) Zeni Shaikh and Ms. Aneesa Parker all sponsored students under the High Cost Education Scholarships. EAS: We received Sponsorship this quarter for 21 EAS students from the following: Mr. Iqbal Chagla, Ms. Meher Khan, Ms. Zahabiya Officewala, Ms. Parveen Retiwala, Dr. Waseem Brelvi (M/s. Kadri Foundation), Ms. Tabassum Hashmi, Mr. Ali Asgar H. Mister, Ms. Zarana Ahmed, Mr. Jamilur Rehman Ansari, Mr. M. Shafi Bubere.Ration Support:Ms. Saira Nainar, Ms. Meher Khan, Mr. Dawood Ahmedabadi, Ms. Kaneez Fatima Pathan, Mr. Faisal Wahedna, Mr. Irfan Inamdar and M/s. Give India have contributed towards the Ration Support.

INTEREST AMOUNT: Mr. Ashar M. Jadwet, Mr. Zainul Abedin Punekar, Mr. M. Saifullah, Ms. Neelam Shaikh and Mr. Barday collectively contributed Rs.26,386/- out of the interest amount.

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O MESC NEWS January 2012

We are grateful to our ex-students who have been helping us in numerous ways.

Here is a brief list of a few of the many ways in which these our MESCO family members have contributed this quarter: Dr. Farkhanda Siddiqui contributed Rs.10,000/- as general donation, Ms. Maifeeza Shaikh became Life Member while Mr. Kaizer Attar paid Rs.5,000/- as general donation.

RELAY CONTINUES .....Some of our students who supported us this quarter

HOLDING MESCO’S HANDS

Dr. Zaheer Kazi, Chief Guest, Mr. Abdul Kader Sopariwala, Patron and Dr. A.A. Qureishi at the Release of Ex-Students’ Directory on 16-10-2011

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Top Ranking Students' Felicitation Function will be held on 7th January, 2012 at R. D. National College, Bandra at which Mr. P.A. Inamdar, Educationist, Chairman, Muslim Co-operative Bank and Mrs. Abeda P. Inamdar, Educationist and Senate Member, Pune University have consented to be the Chief Guests .

Annual Function of Crescent English High School is to be held in the school hall on Sunday, 15th January, 2012. Mr. Ali Quraishi, Chief Patron of the school and past President, AFMI has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest.

Old Clothes Distribution Programme is scheduled to be held on Sunday, 29th January, 2012 at Kalyan, with the cooperation of Asra Foundation, Kalyan.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

A REQUEST TO OUR FOREIGN DONORS

We request our foreign donors who transfer money either to MESCO or MESCO EDUCATION SOCIETY to please inform us on our E-mail: mescotrust@yahoo.co.in as soon as they transfer the amount, as it is required by the bank as a part of their procedure. Your contribution can be directly routed through SBI Mahim Branch, Swift Code- SBININBB522. It will be great help if they can also forward a copy of transfer advice with the e-mail in order to enable us to follow up with our bank.

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NEWS ROUND UP

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EDUCATION: Two EAS Milap Programmes were held, one on 13th and the other on 27th November where sponsors came face to face with their sponsored students. A total of 26 sponsors and 64 (their sponsored) students attended the programmes.We have disbursed until December the following Scholarships under the various categories:One Time Education Scholarships (School Level): Rs.31,34,888/- to 998 students.One Time Education Scholarships (College Level): Rs.26,71,200/-to 707 students.Scholarships for Technical Courses : Rs.76,000/- to 13 students.Education Adoption Scheme (Std.VIII to post-graduate levels) There are 349 students under this scheme.Scholarships for Professional Courses: So far we have given out Rs.57,93,892/- to 183 students.

Loan Repayment:We have received repayment of total loan amounts from 100 students. During this quarter we have received back Rs.11.81 lacs, and from April, 2011 until December, 2011 we have received back Rs.42.93 lacs.Mr. Kaizer Attar, HMCT, Mr. Ansari Azizur Rehman, BE (Elex), Dr. Salim Ahmed Momin, MBBS and Mr. Naeem Alware, HMCT paid back their entire loan amounts of Rs.75,000/-, Rs.1,00,000/-, Rs.1,45,000/- and Rs.98,000/- respectively.Personality Development Camp was held at Yusuf Meherally

th Centre, Panvel from 29 December, 2011 to 1st January, 2012, 40 students attended.

RC MAHIM MUN.SCHOOL:Two teachers, one for Maths & Science and the other for Language were appointed on MESCO rolls; these take extra coaching classes as well as regular classes in the school as Municipal Corporation does not provide adequate number of teachers in the school. Sports were held in the school from 20th until 22nd December, 2011 where too MESCO has been providing games and sports facilities for the children.12 students participated at an inter-school competition held on 26th December, 2011 at Royal School, Mira Road.MEDICAL:We have thus far disbursed Rs.25.68 lacs under the two schemes General Medical Aid and High Cost Medical Aid to a total of 324 patients and Rs.4.28 lacs to 15 patients under the six

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month's dialysis scheme. We are in the process of shortlisting 30 cases to be taken up under Lifelong Dialysis.

MESCO was one of several NGOs who received a memento, at a programme entitled “Shukriya” organized by the Social Service Dept. of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital on 21st October, 2011, for its dedicated service in the field of medical care and assistance of patients.

New Medical Facility:

We are happy to announce the launch of our fifth dispensary at Qureishi Nagar, Kurla (East). This dispensary also has a physiotherapy unit and this will be a boon to the residents of the area. The Dispensary and Physiotherapy Unit was inaugurated at the hands of Dr. Wiqar Shaikh, eminent consultant Alergologist and Asmathologist.

In the last three months we have averaged 60 patients a day per facility i.e. in the year we should be close to serving about 75,000 patients through these five units.

GENERAL AID: On 9th October, we distributed 10200 clothes to 417 families in Nallasopara with the help of a local organization, NESCO; we are grateful to them for their unstinted support.

80 fresh forms for Ration Support were issued to replace cases which had improved their financial status and had asked/were advised that they could now fend for themselves; we had 50 places to be filled; all those who qualify would be taken up ultimately.

Meat distribution was undertaken during Bakri Id (8th November, 2011) out of funds received largely from Muslim Aid, UK and a few donors locally. A total of 712 packets were distributed in Govandi, Kausa, Mahim, Malad, Mazgaon, Nallasopara and Sewri.

NURSERY SCHOOLS:This year we increased the fees at most of our Nursery Schools so as to reach 80% self sufficiency and this has helped though the enrolment has dropped by 40%,we are hopeful that next year by allowing for fee payment in installments we should gradually reach self sufficiency in a few years. Currently Creative Against Poverty, Tobaccowala Foundation, Mr. Gustavo Mana, Mr. M.A. Mubeenuddin of FERAS and Friends of Literacy Aid and Mass Education (FLAME) and Adamji Jasdanwala have between them been sponsoring our Nursery Schools, we are grateful to them for their help.

Open Day in all the Nursery Schools was held on 20th October, 2011. Teachers explained to the parents their wards’ evaluation report/observation. On 14th November, 2011 Children's Day was

Dr. M.E. Subramanium interacting with his sponsored students at the EAS Milap Programme held in November, 2011.

Dr. Wiqar Shaikh, eminent consultant Allergist and Asthmologist, speaking at the inauguration of Umair Khopekar Memorial Clinic, Kurla in presence of Ms.

Tasneem Khopekar, Dr. Nakadar and Mr. Ali Qureishi both from AFMI, USA

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EMPLOYMENT NEWS

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The following completed their education in 2011 and have now joined the world of work:Mr. Shetty Preetham, BE (IT), Mr. Shaikh Rizwan, BE (IT), Mr. Ansari A. Rehman, BE, Elavathingal Rivin Jose, BE (Comp.) have all been recruited by Infosys Ltd., as Trainee Engineers; Ms. Shaikh Kausar Jehan and Ms. Shaikh Afreen both BE (Comp.) have joined L & T Infotech, Mr. Jhabawala Abdoali has been recruited by S.S. Jondhale College of Engg. as Lecturer; Mr. Maniyar Raziuddin, BE (Civil) has been appointed Survet Officer in the Office of Competent Authority, Govt. of Maharashtra; Mr. Azmi Rehmat, MMS has been recruited as Management Trainee at Raymond Ind. Ltd., Mr. Qureshi Ravish, has joined HDFC Bank, these are among some of our students who completed their studies this last year and have entered the world of work.

What some of our ex-students have to say about their association with MESCO.

Mr. Anil Kumar Yadav, MBBS is completing his internship at MIMER, Pune says, “MESCO has been very supportive and helpful both psychologically and financially”.

Mr. Sachin Sharma, BE (Comp.), presently working with L & T Infotech says, “MESCO has been a light in the path of darkness and has helped me in achieving success in my life. Apart from financial support it taught me believing in oneself when the going is tough”.

Ms. Shagufta Khan, B.Sc. (IT) who has been appointed by Infosys Ltd., says, “MESCO played a vital role by providing timely guidance. MESCO activities played a great role in my life for improving my communication skills; whatever I am today, most of the credit goes to MESCO”.

Ms. Sofiya Mubarak Shaikh who did BDS, recently completed her internship and is currently employed with Sanjivani Hospital, Virar says “MESCO played a great role in helping me complete my education; in future when I become successful MESCO will be the place where I would want to help in any manner I can”.

Mr. Kureshi Mohinuddin, BMS who works as an HR Associate for Tata Consultancy says, “MESCO helped me in completion of my studies as also motivated me through various seminars”.

MAIL BOX

?Rs. 1,00,000/- a year, would help sponsor (one batch of) a Nursery School in a poor locality. (Nursery School)

?Rs. 50,000/- a year ensures professional education for a meritorious student. (HCELS)

?Rs. 15,000/- provides dry ration to a widow and her family for a whole year. (Ration Support)

?Rs. 15,000/- per year helps a meritorious child continue his/her education. (Educational Adoption Scheme)

?Rs. 5,000/- enables us to provide a sewing machine to a destitute woman in order to make her self reliant.

?Rs. 4,000/- a year will cover a child’s school / college fees. (Educational Aid)

?You can help in any of these activities by setting up a Corpus (dedicated to the memory of a near one) and build it up over the years. Establish a Sawaab-e-Jaariyah!

?You can send your Donations / Zakat.

Your Support, Our Motivation

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celebrated, cartoon film shown to the children, this film was arranged from AVEHI. Field Trips were organized by the Nursery Schools. 2 of our Resource Teachers attended workshops on

26th October, 4th and 11th November 2011 organized by Association for Early Childhood Education and Development; topics were “Exercise to stimulate brain development in young children” and “Phonics”. Fun-N- Fair was held on 24th December, 2011 at our Sewri Nursery School.We gratefully acknowledge donation of Rs.33,000/- towards the Nursery Schools from Mrs. Shama Taraporewala, Portfolio Committee Member of Nursery Schools; as also toys received from Ms. Namrata Tanna of Creative Against Poverty.VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES (Mumbra & Dharavi): This year we added courses in Computer Hardware and Networking, Information Technology, Basic Computers, Web Designing in addition to our existing courses of Electrician, Professional Beautician, Dress Making and Fashion Designing.An information sharing session on “Micro Finance and Self-Employment Scheme of Maulana Azad Financial Corporation” was organized for the passing out students on 1st January, 2012 at our Crescent English High School, Kausa. Mr. Santosh Surve Nodal officer Thane Division, Mr. Sunil Borchade, Nodal Officer Mumbai Division and Mr. Shakil Shaikh, Trainee Nodal Officer, Thane Division were the Guest Speakers. 120 Students attended the programme.MES' VTC Students' Felicitation Function was held at Crescent English High School. Ms. Farogh Mukadam; Dy.Collector & Regional Officer was the Chief Guest and Fr. Victor Rebello; Managing Director-Fr. Agnel, Mr. Appa Saheb Khambate; President-Thane Smaal Scale Industry Association, Mr. Usman Shekani; Managing Director-Ahmed Garib Polytechnic, Mr. Umesh Tayade; Chairman-Addl. Ambernath Manufacturing Association and Mr. Jayawant Raut; Manager-Project & Diversification, Fr. Agnel grace the function as Guests of Honour. On 19th December 2011 our students of both Dharavi & Mumbra Centres put up a Mehndi Application stall at Tata Institute of Social Sciences Campus for 4 days during their Annual Festival.

CRESCENT ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL: 2 of our students have been selected for the District Level Yogasana Competition at Pen, Dist. Raigad.4 students participated in the Skating Competition (Zonal Level) held at Vasind Jindal School and one of them has been selected for the District Level Competition.8 of our Std. VIII students have appeared for National Talent Search Exam.Students of Secondary Section participated in Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme 2012 conducted by Hindustan Times. Students from Std. VIII and IX participated in Inter School Urdu Quiz Competition. 5 teacher trainees from Anjuman Islam Akbar Peerbhoy College of Education, Vashi came to Crescent School for practice teaching. Ms. Mumtaz Patel our English teacher went to Delhi to attend a 10 days Teachers Skill Advance Workshop sponsored by the US Consulate. Mr. Azeem Durrani, Principal and Mr. Yunus Shaikh, Secondary Maths Teacher attended a 3 day workshop held at Dapoli on Scholarship Exams at School Level.We are thankful to our school parent Mr. Wahid Shaikh who sent his team to get our school cleaned.Study Camp for Std. X began from 19th December, 2011.Our 5th Urdu Day Programme “Parwaz” was held at Crescent School Hall on 12th December, 2011. Dr. Saheb Ali, Head of Dept. of Urdu graced the function as the Chief Guest. An Inter School Science Exhibition at zonal level was held for the Primary and Secondary Section on 20th December, 2011 at which one of our teacher, Mrs. Nuzhat Salim bagged the Second Prize for her entry entitled “Mathbox”.3 teachers and 9 students attended the AFMI Felicitation Programme held on 25th December, 2011 at Ranchi.

NEWS ROUND UP (Contd.)