Sponsor quality food and nutrition for abandoned children in a shelter home by Shraddhanand Mahilashram

All basic needs, food and other provisions are provided to the children staying at Shraddhanand Mahilashram. The children are admitted to the institution by the order of the Child Welfare Committee(CWC). Needy children from all over Mumbai can be referred by the CWC to our shelter, especially children from nearby areas such as Matunga, Dharavi, Sion, Dadar, mahim, Wadala, Sewri, etc. At present there are 126 children of ages 0 to 18 years in the Balgruh section of Shraddhanand Mahilashram. The institute is very particular about providing nutritious quality food to the children. The monthly diet chart is prepared by our House sub-committee. We also consider the preferences of our children which adds up to their enjoyment while savouring the food served to them.

Funds received for this program are utilized to serve nutritious food to the children of all ages. Our visiting doctor recommends and prescribes a special diet for children who are under AKT. There is a separate diet chart for children who are under weight. A glass of turmeric milk is given to the children every day and as advised by the doctor, multivitamin and vitamin C tablets are also given to the children. In the months and years to come we will be providing healthy foods to the children as it is necessary for their growth and overall development including their academic performance.

From January 2022 to June 2022 there were 40 new admissions in the baby and toddler section of Shraddhanand Mahilashram. One story worth mentioning is that of a 3-month-old infant who was referred to our home for shelter care and protection, by an institute called Cute Child as per orders from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). At the time of admission, the infant weighed 2.800 kgs and was 65 cm in height and was suffering from chronic dehydration and failure to thrive (FTT). A child with FTT is a child that does not gain weight at the expected rate. He suffered from symptoms of vomiting and was sleep deprived. He refused to make any eye contact. Our visiting doctor suggested that this baby could gain weight only if appropriate changes were incorporated in the baby's feeding pattern and was abundantly cared for and nurtured. We were also advised to hospitalize him. During hospitalization, a specialized doctor closely monitored the baby’s intake at every feeding and observed his urine, stools and vomiting. A chart of the child's weight every morning before the first feeding was duly maintained. After 14 days of hospitalization with proper treatment, the baby was discharged and sent to our home. At the time of discharge, the dietitian advised us about feeding liquid food initially for a few days and then gradually moving to solids. We were asked to observe the child's daily consumption of food and drink. Stress was laid on noting the calories consumed by the baby. The first 24 hours were crucial for us. We strictly followed the diet schedule as per the doctor's advice. After 1 week at our shelter home, the child had gained the desired weight. Within 6 months the baby had gained both weight and height as planned. Today the child is one years old with a weight of 9kg 130grams and a height of 65 and is thriving!

All basic needs, food and other provisions are provided to the children staying in Shraddhanand Mahilashram. Children are admitted to the institution by the order of child welfare committee. Needy children from all over mumbai can be referred by the child welfare committee. Most often children from nearby areas of Mumbai like Matunga, Dharavi, Sion, Dadar, Mahim, Wadala, Sewri etc. are sent to the institution. At present there are 112 children of ages 0 to 18 years in the Balgruh of Shraddhananad Mahilaashram. The institute is very particular in providing quality food to the children therefore bimonthly menu chart is prepared by our house sub-committee. We also consider preference of our children which adds up to their enjoyment while savoring the food served to them.

Funds received for this program are utilized to serve nutritious food to the children of all age group. Our visiting doctor recommends and prescribes special diet for children who are under AKT. There is a separate diet chart for children who are underweight. During current pandemic once in a day turmeric milk is given to the children and as advised by the doctor multi vitamin and vitamin c tablets are also given to the children. Owing to the support from the donors we could face and overcome all the challenges during lockdown to date. At present and for the months and years to come we will be providing healthy foods to children as it is necessary for their growth and overall development including their academic performance.

From July 2021 to December 2021 there were 38 new admissions in the Balgruh of Shraddhanand Mahilashram. One worth mentioning story for this program is that of a one-year-old cute female child referred to this institute for shelter, care and protection as per order from the child welfare committee. At the time of admission the child appeared to be very weak and malnourished. After the health check-up it was found that the child is underweight. The visiting doctor charted out a special diet for the child and the specialised staff members were assigned with duty to monitor the health progress of the said child. Within a month drastic health wise improvement could be seen in the child. Now the child is staying in this institute and is doing well !

Shraddhanand Mahilashram cares for children right from the infancy stage. The children are referred by the child welfare committee of Mumbai city.Getting their medical examination, admitting them to school a few immediate steps are taken when they come to the ashram.All the children have a routine setup. Prayers and suryanamaskar in morning, breakfast, attend online classes standard wise, evening assembly and recreation and dinner.Two teachers take their follow up on studies and on In house Balwadi.The Children take print in Inter-house Competitions such as drawing, dance, sports, skit, essay, etc. They also participate in festivals.The Housemothers look after their meals. The menu is planned with seasonally available fruits and vegetables.They play games such as carom, Table Tennis, Badminton and also watch TV over the weekends. There is a doctor who visits twice a week & medical records are kept in the dispensary. The children and girls are well looked after and maintain good health and menstrual hygiene.

During Covid-19 Pandemic moving out of the ashram was not possible. The children and girls in groups learnt to be together and support emotionally each other.In January & February, they were taken in small groups to shop, garden and visited the railway station close by.Many workshops were held online Dance classes, Mime workshops, etc. Arts-Based Therapy is conducted once a week.The children with disabilities also attend online classes and Housemothers take efforts to see that they too have access to special Education. The older girls have learnt to stitch masks, market bags, embroidery and painting on them. Bedsheets and Bed covers are also made by them.

During summer vacation the children under 12 years attended the “Chintam Pintam” workshop with all activities in which the children actively participated and enjoyed learning to make new things.The girls who cleared the HSC exams were guided by Dist. Women & Child Development office to take up a course in handling medical emergencies. This course is free and 4 of our girls have enrolled for the same.Other young women took up an English speaking course of 3 months Sponsored by “Enguru”. The young women are counselled by the visiting psychologist. They are given choices to pursue their career choice or seek job placements. Lovely (Name Changed)was admitted to the Ashram through the police on 30/08/2018 for rehabilitation. She is originally from West Bengal and did not speak Hindi well. After receiving proper education and counselling from time to time from the ashram she could get adjusted to this environment which was totally unfamiliar for her. This led to the overall development of Lovely. She is currently studying at Shishu Vihar Secondary School.

The day starts with a healthy breakfast for all the children. Afternoon from 12pm to 2.30pm is their lunch time then evening snacks at 4pm and dinner starts from 7.30pm till 9.00pm, four times a day nutritious food is being served to the children of all age group. New, during this pandemic once in a day we give turmeric milk to the children and to boost their immunity as advised by our doctor multivitamin and vitamin C tablets are also given to the children. Every two months menu chart is being prepared by our committee. We also consider the taste and preference of our children which adds up to their enjoyment while savoring the food served to them.

The soul is healed by being with children

At Shraddhanand Mahilashram's child care institution currently, we are working for 106 children who are in between the age of 0 to 18 years. In consultation with our pediatrician we prepare healthy menu chart and ensure that balanced diet with all vitamins, carbohydrates, protiens, minerals and fats are being provided to the children as the requirements changes of each age group atsthe body needs changes with the child growing; breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner are served to the children by the caregivers everyday which are made sure to be full of nutritious and healthy food to maintain their balanced diet. To keep the children entertained throughout the year we also celebrate Annual day, daily Fun filled activities are arranged for children as children mostly enjoy playing most of the times. Our children also participated in Balmahostav and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of Republic Day.

Children receiving nutritious meals

Program Update

Conducted various competitions like dance, strait, song, rangoli etc. There were project presentation by the children an different topics. All festivals were celebrated. Children participated in Handball tournament held at Goa.
Ashram Kanyas also attended and took part in the camps organised by other NGO. A part from picnics and outings Study tour and excursions were arranged for younger as well as older group. Sessions on topics like Personality development, IQ, Disaster management, Gender sensitization were conducted. Outdoor Sports competition were also organised for kids and older ashram kanyas. Short term Mehendi and cooking courses were organised. Tailoring class has been started for kanyas who are interested in stitching and embroidery.
Every month birthdays are celebrated as a grand event collectively whose birth date falls on that particular month.

Story from the field

A 12 years old, stout girl child with chubby chicks, round face , twinkling dark eyes came to Ashram through transfer from another NGO. She was a daughter a single parent. She had only mother who was not capable to look after her. After some time her mother disappeared. We tried our level best to search her but in vain. The girl was disturbed emotionally. After several counseling session we could make her emotionally stable. She passed her SSC exam with average marks. She was good in sports. She wanted to be a police and to help the younger missing children to fine out their parents. She filled up a recruitment. She joined Railway Police Department. After completion of 0 and half months training she was posted in Mumbai Railway Police as Constable. At a present she is deputed as head constable. During 21 years of her services, she has successfully restored several missing children to their parents after completion of all legal formalities. She has received 54 departmental rewards for her good work during service.
She was well behaved and confident girl. Her Senior colleague asked her for marriage with his son who was working in same department. She directed them to Ashram. Ashram enquired about the guy and his family . After completion of certain formalities their marriage was fixed and performed through the Ashram. Presently she is leading happy married life with two children. She is entitled to have all service facilities for police department. Her children are also studying well.
We are proud other that she is civil service and doing well in her career as well as in her family responsibilities.