| What
do we do?
Mumbai Connexions
is actively involved with a wide range of local charities, many of whom
we have supported over several years and now have well-established relationships.
Our involvement
can take many forms:
Financial
– we assist organisations with fundraising or by purchasing goods that
they are in most need of. Members can also opt to fund an event, special
meal or activity
Volunteering –
members give their time to educational programmes such as teaching and
homework classes, health care projects, social visits, outings and events.
Some projects require a regular commitment whilst others are more ad-hoc
in nature.
Donations
- we recycle clothes, furniture, electronic equipment and many other items.
We also collect dry goods such as rice, pulses, salt and toiletries at
our regular coffee mornings.
How
do we evaluate requests for help?
There are many needy
causes in Mumbai, and we try to help in whatever way we can when the opportunity
arises. Requests for funding are always referred to the Mumbai Connexions
Board for consideration of all available information and are assessed against
the criteria below. The Board has the discretion to waive any of
the criteria 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.
Who and How we have
helped
Through our fund-raising activities
over the past year, we have:
# Organised a fun day
in the summer holidays 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;
# Paid for the refitting
of a classroom at the slum school in Vakola;
# Purchased books,
stationery, classroom items and play equipment for Mumbai
Mobile
Creche Agripada centre for construction workers' children;
# Funded a computer
course for 14 teenage girls from Helpers of Mary;
# Bought raincoats,
umbrellas and toiletries for the League of Mercy;
# Bought jewellery
making equipment for iSanctuary;
# Provided an LCD
projector and printer for the Mann Centre;
# Paid for school
uniforms and 100 new mattresses 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;
# Donated to the Happy
Home and School for the Blind;
# Paid for St Catherine’s
Orphanage Christmas party.
How you can make
a difference
There are many ways to get involved.
The only “qualification” for volunteering at the charities we support on
a continuous basis is that you make the commitment to attend regularly.
That doesn't necessarily mean every week. All activities have co-ordinators
so just make sure they understand your schedule and can plan accordingly
to 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.
If you can't commit
on a regular basis you may prefer to volunteer your help when special appeals
are made for support. We are always in need of volunteers who can
join in ad-hoc events such as summer outings, Christmas parties, providing
transport for eye screening programmes and so on. You could even
volunteer your time making crafts as the proceeds raised from the sale
of these craft items are used to support various charities on an ongoing
basis or through special donations.
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
NB
- For the benefit of newcomers the locations are categorized 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.
Regular Activities
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 20-30 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 many other charities and organisations
in and around Mumbai. 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. |
