| Mumbai
Connexions
helps
Connect
People
and
Events
to
make
Mumbai
a
More
Enriching
Experience. |
Mumbai
Connexions is actively involved with many local charities. We help charities
raise money, sponsor, buy or contribute towards the things that they need.
We also help by volunteering our time doing things as simple as playing
with play dough with the girls at an orphanage to organizing a day out
complete with transport, picnic, games and gift bags.
Criteria Applied
to Requests for Funding
Requests for funding
are referred to the Mumbai Connexions Board for consideration of all available
information. The Board has the discretion to waive any of the criteria
listed below if there is agreement that a project merits support.
Mumbai Connexions
–
• Does
not support individuals,
(unless a case arises from a project already supported e.g. eye camps);
•
Favours supporting people over animals;
•
Requires that donations deliver tangible results,
(i.e. items bought for a specific need rather than contributed to a larger
expense);
•
Prefers to support organizations where a Mumbai Connexions member is involved;
•
Prefers to support organizations located in Mumbai so that, if necessary,
a visit may be
made prior to funding being given or to check on progress following funding;
•
Prefers to support organizations which are not government run.
Every little bit
helps and the smallest donation or contribution goes a long way in India.
Read on to find out who we help, how we help and how you can help.
Who and How We have
Helped:
Through our fund-raising activities
over the past year, we have:
# Organised a fun day
for the girls of League of Mercy and Regina Pacis;
# Funded transport
for the Byculla Street Kids annual day out;
# Refurbished computers
for League of Mercy, Mann Centre, Sol’s Arc, Tender Hands,
Muktangan,
St. Catherine’s and Prem Dan;
# Bought raincoats
and umbrellas for the League of Mercy;
# Bought jewellery
making equipment for iSanctuary;
# Provided an LCD
projector for the Mann Centre;
# Paid for uniforms
for the children of St Catherine’s Orphanage;
# Funded eye camps,
glasses and treatment where needed for the
children
of St Catherine’s Orphanage and One International;
# Bought shoes for
the children of Tender Hands;
# Bought a television
for Helpers of Mary Orphanage;
# Bought fridges for
Tender Hands and Helpers of Mary senior citizens;
# Contributed towards
a Further Learning Centre at Sol’s Arc:
# Donated to the Happy
Home and School for the Blind;
# Bought nightdresses
for the girls at Sevelaya Home in Borivali;
# Bought Salwar sets
for Regina Pacis;
# Made donations to
Chirag Light India Movement and a sister home of Regina Pacis;
# Paid for St Catherine’s
Orphanage Christmas party;
# Bought 15 bikes
for girls in villages near Karjat.
Besides raising money
and volunteering our time, we also:
-
Collect dry goods and toiletries for charity
from our coffee mornings
-
Organize or sponsor trips and activities
-
Teach English and maths or help with homework
-
Regularly supplement groceries and provisions
-
Buy and make up gift bags for summer and Christmas
parties
How you can make
a difference:
Volunteer regularly at one
of our charities
-
Swimming with Blind Boys
-
St. Catherine's Orphanage
-
Bingo at Shepherd Widows Home
-
Bingo at Helpers of Mary
-
Homework Clubs
-
Teach English to children and adults
Volunteer your time
-
Help with an event or function
-
Write lesson plans for volunteers who help
with homework clubs
-
Provide ideas for crafts and activities
-
Help prepare materials for crafts and activities
Sponsorship/donations
# Help fund an event, special meal or activity for
children or senior citizens
There are many ways to get involved. The only “qualification”
for volunteering at the charities we support is that you make the commitment
to attend on a regular basis. This is important so that co-ordinators
can plan accordingly and make the best use of time.
You do not need to be a teacher or have any special skills - you just
have to care and your time and effort will be rewarded.
It is suggested that you visit for the first few times with another
volunteer until you are comfortable with the routine and facilities.
Please keep in mind that the facilities and materials that you will be
working with are probably not to the standard you may be used to.
For more information, please
refer to the current issue of Chalo for contact information or email
Mumbaiconnexions@yahoo.com
(Please put ‘Charities’ in the subject line).
Volunteer Opportunites
Volunteer
opportunities exist in a multitude of venues around Mumbai. There are opportunities
to work with young children, older children, teens, handicapped children,
mothers, seniors and even animals. Some activity times are specific, but
many can be flexible depending on your availability. You could even volunteer
your time making crafts with our weekly craft group – funds from the annual
sale of these crafts go to support the various charities either on an ongoing
basis or through special donations.
For
all charities in the following section you need to put your name on the
list of helpers so you are kept informed of date and time changes etc.
However, you DO NOT need to attend every week, just come as and when you
can. Your help will always be appreciated.
NB
For the benefit of newcomers I have categorized locations into north or
south Mumbai. This is a very rough description and basically refers to
whether the location is north or south of the Worli SeaLink Bridge.
Swimming With Blind Boys
Breach
Candy Club, Breach Candy (South Mumbai,) Monday, 2-3pm
About 10 to 12 boys come from the Happy
Home and School for the Blind in Worli to swim and play in the water. You
do not need to be a member of Breach Candy Club nor be a fantastic swimmer
to help – your role would be to keep the boys in the area they are permitted
to swim.
Bingo at the Shepherd Widows Home
Byculla
(South Mumbai) Third Monday every month, 10:30-11:45am
Approximately 20 women and a few gentlemen
from a nearby residence play Bingo for a money prize and socialise, with
a small celebration each month for birthdays. This is a lovely group
to get involved in and a very rewarding way to spend a morning.
St. Catherine's Orphanage
Mount
Mary, Bandra. (North) Thursdays, 5-6pm
A group of 30-40 boys and girls between
the ages of 4-7 practice their English and do a craft or activity.
We organise a Christmas party for around 180 children at the orphanage
in early December each year.
St. Stephen's Church
Mount
Mary, Bandra. (North) Weekdays, 5-7pm
This church run homework club and study
centre is for children of domestic workers. The children come after
school to do their homework and to get some help with school work from
volunteers.
Bingo at the Society of the Helpers
of Mary
Veera
Desai Rd., Andheri (W) (North) First Monday every month, 10:30-11:45am
A group of approximately 25 senior citizens
play Bingo for small prizes. Birthdays are also celebrated with the
group each month. This is a fun and rewarding experience for both
participants and volunteers.
Agripada School for Children of Construction
Site Workers
Near
Dhobi Ghats. (South) Mondays, 10:00-12:00pm
Volunteers teach English to a very diverse
group of about 30+ children of construction site workers. The children
range in age from 5-12. Following a whole group activity, the volunteers
work with small groups of children.
Other Opportunities
Irregular Activities
Prem Dan – This school, located near the Taj in Apollo Bunder,
would welcome volunteers at any time but ask for a regular commitment.
Society of the Helpers of Mary – This is a multi functional facility
located in Andheri West. They would welcome volunteers to assist
their students with homework daily or weekly, but ask for a regular commitment.
One International – This is a school for street kids located
in the fishing village of Khar. They would welcome volunteer teachers
and helpers.
Mann Centre – This is a centre for individuals with special needs.
They welcome volunteers who can commit to 4 regular visits. This enables
the students to get to know the volunteers.
Sol’s Arc – This is a school for children with special needs.
Volunteers who can offer a regular commitment are welcome.
Sponsorship
-
Help provide a quality education for a child
by sponsoring their education: this includes books, uniforms and
tuition for a year.
-
Fund a special meal at an orphanage, school
or senior's facility . It can be as simple as providing an egg or a piece
of meat to supplement the regular meal provided. This could be one time,
once a week or once a month. This is such a small thing, but makes an enormous
difference in someone's life.
-
Assist with funding or fund an activity at
any of the outings or events we support.
There are other charities and organisations
in and around Mumbai which serve both people and animals. Information
on these is available from various sources including the Mumbai Connexions
Charity Directory, available to look through from members of the Charity
Committee. Sometimes changes occur within an organisation and things are
not as they should be so exercise caution as you become involved.
Mumbai Connexions is always looking for
new volunteer opportunities. If you know of a charity/organisation that
we may be able to work with, please speak to one of the Charity Committee
members. |
New
volunteer
opportunities
are
always
of interest
to
Mumbai
Connexions.
If
you know of an
organization
that we
may
be able to work
with,
please
let
us know.
|
