In its effort to reach out and do something
for someone, who needed help, Reach Out was formed by Aricentians
in the second half of the year 2000. "Work" started
with a fun-trip to a home for children- Karm Marg. That sealed
the bond and the members of Reach Out were committed to the
cause.
After an active campaign for collection of winter
clothing and gifts, the next "project" was a trip
to a home for the mentally and physically retarded - Deep
Ashram. This was a trip to a world different from the one
everybody is used to, and takes for granted. A revelation
in the true sense of the word!
"Deep Ashram" is a home run by the
Missionaries of Charity, for the physically and mentally disabled.
Run under the able guidance of Brother Benedict and Brother
John, this home houses nearly fifty children, a majority of
them in the age group of 7-15 years.
The children of Deep Ashram are well cared
for. What they need though is affection- they need to see
new faces, friendly faces. They also need to be taught to
take care of themselves - and this requires a different kind
of training and specialisation. There are many doctors and
therapists, specially trained to handle mentally disabled
children. Work is on, to help provide a stable means of income
for these children.
India Literacy Project program
Aricentians realize the importance of a sound
education and how that has enabled them to be where they are
- at the cutting edge of communication technology. To provide
the benefits of education to the underprivileged in India,
Aricentians collaborate with India Literacy Project, a US
based Literacy focussed funding organization. While ILP volunteers
at Hughes Network Systems (HNS), the parent organization of
Aricent , help in raising funds and keeping the donors informed
of the progress of projects, Aricentians visit the site areas
to do audits and assessments for the suitability, sustainability
and authenticity of projects. The much needed human touch
and support to the projects is provided when Aricentians go
to remote villages in Ajmer (SWERA project). We motivate villagers
to send the girl-child to the education centers. Slum students
in Patpargunj (GODHULI project) have participated in intramural
competitions organized at Aricent , where they not only compete
with Aricentians but also beat them and walk away with the
first prize!
Members of the Reach Out Club also actively
update and manage www.dryindia.org,
a disaster relief website, hosted by Charities Aid Foundation-India.
Reaching out at Karm Marg
Karm-Marg a destitute children's home, which
the Reachout group frequents, resonates with joy and squeals
of laughter on every visit. Reachout volunteers have been
contributing not only money but also time to bring back the
lost childhood for many of these children. One of the many
events organized is the Reachout week in the Aricent campus
showcasing the arts handiwork and the dance and dramatics
talents of these children.
Last updated :
December 18, 2006
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