Sona Kumar of Sona Sarovar Trust – Her project idea started when she was offered a bowl of dirty water to wash hands.
By Milena Rampoldi and Denise Nanni,
ProMosaik. In the following interview we are moving to India where we talked to
Mrs Sona Kumar. Her project idea started when she was offered a bowl of dirty
water to wash hands. Her organisation Sona
Sarovar Trust works to improve living conditions of children in slum. Would
like to thank her for her time.
What are the objectives of Sona Sarovar?
Our Mission is to protect the Slum Children
from Anti Social Elements hovering in the vicinity day & night.
We ensure that not only their health improves
but their Grades are raised in Academic Sphere & engage them in
extra curriculum activities of their liking, admission in College etc.&
their confidence level is raised to enable them to compete in world outside the
slum.
but their Grades are raised in Academic Sphere & engage them in
extra curriculum activities of their liking, admission in College etc.&
their confidence level is raised to enable them to compete in world outside the
slum.
We also plan to convert the Slum into a Clean &
Green place.
Green place.
What are the main social issues in the
region where you intervene?
As parents are illiterate & too poor to afford
tuition, their grades keep on falling every year resulting in school drop out.
tuition, their grades keep on falling every year resulting in school drop out.
Parents also welcome it as it leads to extra
income by sending them to work.
income by sending them to work.
Children are malnourished which leads to sickness
& poor attendance in school.
& poor attendance in school.
Most ladies are not allowed to work outside.
How do you promote community empowerment?
We conduct Medical Camps for the residents of the
Slum.
Slum.
We have started Adult Education & Income
Generation Activities for ladies.
Generation Activities for ladies.
We provide ration, sewing machines, financial help for
children’s education, medical help to the needy women.
children’s education, medical help to the needy women.
How do you support slum children?
We run a Nursery School & Tuition class for slum
children.
children.
We get medical check up done in the beginning of the
session & get their hemoglobin tests done.
session & get their hemoglobin tests done.
Kids with low hemoglobin are given Iron supplements.
We serve a glass of milk, banana, dates, special
ladoos to them on regular basis.
ladoos to them on regular basis.
Birthdays are celebrated every month & cake &
snacks is served to all & gifts are given to the concerned children.
snacks is served to all & gifts are given to the concerned children.
We encourage them to participate in extra curriculum
activities & participate in Inter School competitions.
activities & participate in Inter School competitions.
We take them out for Picnic & Parties.
Do you cooperate with local authorities and institutions?
If yes, how?
We cooperate with local leaders & arrange
functions on their behalf like celebration of Maharashtra Day, Women’s Day
etc..
functions on their behalf like celebration of Maharashtra Day, Women’s Day
etc..
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