JANUARY to JUNE ’07.
Six months have flown by and now pen is put to paper again to record all that has happened so far in our centres. The monsoon season is upon us and it is a hectic time for all. We are rejuvenated each time we come in contact with our children and colleagues. Our children have become for us an important part of our lives and we are an integral part of their existence.
Laeticia is now based in Ireland and so she is working for the foundation from there. She is looking after all the fundraising and future planning for Bridge Foundation. In Kolkata Regina, Agnes and the team of teachers take care of all the activities and problems faced in the centres. Regina goes on her co-ordinators duties on regular basis and all the centres are flourishing. We are in regular contact with Laeticia over the phone and by e-mail.
EDUCATION
Classes continued as usual. In the Doctor Lane centre all the children were promoted and two of them got prizes from school. Some senior children did the National Open School exams. The Blackburn Lane Centre children showed an improvement in their studies. Most of the children passed. The Fatima Centre children (English medium) were all promoted while the Bengali medium children got promoted in April. Only one child did not make to the next class due to illness. She is happy to repeat again. Three children were placed in boarding school and are doing well. There was admission of new children in all the three centres. The number of children in Fatima Centre has increased tremendously. The centre caters to children from six years to sixteen years. All the educational needs of the children are taken care of by the foundation. The art classes continue at Blackburn Lane centre on Saturdays and the children are showing a lot of interest in this area .Some have the talent to be artists.
TEACHERS
Initially when we started our centres we had two teachers for each centre Now with the increase in the number of children and children going to senior classes the number of teachers have increased. We have now got specialized teachers to teach the children maths, science, English and Bengali.
TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP.
Since we had to take new teachers for the centres, we thought it would be a good idea to have a workshop for the new comers, especially for the junior section. When the word went around the parish priest of Fatima Church invited other teachers to attend the two days workshop. The activities in the workshop concentrated on Maths and English learning skills. The teachers took active participation. They were active, energetic and enthusiastic. Tea and lunch were provided. All went home happy with new ideas to experiment with.
FOOD
The children in all the centres continue to be given nutritious food and dry rations. Their families are also given assistance especially where there is unemployment or where they are finding it difficult to meet ends meet due to extended family. Children and family appreciate this help.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
We are able to help the sick children with their medical expenses. The doctors fees and medicines are paid. They are also given extra nutritious food, vitamins and tonics to help them to boost up their health. Mothers are encouraged to take care of the children by using simple inexpensive nutritious food available locally as preventive measures from common sickness. There was a doctor’s check up of most children at Fatima Centre. We continue to reach out to our children and all those come to us for help. Among them is a child with a serious kidney ailment. We are doing our best to help her .
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations go out to all our children who have done well in their school leaving examination. All of them have entered their junior college. Those who are in graduation level are also doing well.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS.
Sophie Liechtie an old friend came to visit our centres with her husband and children. John and Mary Linehan visited the centres in January. Elaine Jones from Carlow taught in Doctor Lane Centre. The group from Cabinteely Community School, led by Laura, Michael and Caitríona visited us in March. Their students were enlightened and inspired by the experience they got here. Cathal and Aveen visited all the centre, did home visits and spent time in teaching the students of Fatima Centre for two weeks. Thanks for your kindness and generosity. Cathal O Reilly wrote the following, about his experience with Bridge Foundation,
“During June and July this year Aveen and I visited Calcutta. We were well looked after by Regina and Agnes who are doing a fantastic job looking after the Bridge foundation. We visited the three centres while we were there. I feel that the centres are doing really well with good numbers attending and a dedicated team of teachers looking after each centre. We worked in Fatima centre under the direction and guidance of Agnes. There are currently four rooms there with over 60 students. Aveen worked with the younger children and loved the experience. I worked with the older children. While there I helped the children with Shakespearean plays, some geography and Maths. I went over the plays with some class 9 students to check their understanding. The students were working really well and studied for the duration of the time that we were there. The teachers are really helping the students in their studies. Each center is doing really well and the guidance of Regina is invaluable in the operation of the centres. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience of Calcutta and wish the Bridge Center every best wish in the future”
CONDOLENCES
Some of our Bridge Foundation children as well as a teacher lost family members. We pray for the repose of their souls and for their bereaved families.
THANK YOU
Laeticia would like to thank all our friends who are connected with us in Bridge Foundation. “We are all builders of bridges. Some of us do the work by being in the place and some from far. I am grateful to all of you who, by making sacrifices, help us to better the lives of people in some part of this world. Sometimes it is a difficult mission but we strive to do our best.
I pray that God may shower his choicest blessings on you and your families”
Agnes d’Souza
for
The Bridge Foundation team
Laeticia is now based in Ireland and so she is working for the foundation from there. She is looking after all the fundraising and future planning for Bridge Foundation. In Kolkata Regina, Agnes and the team of teachers take care of all the activities and problems faced in the centres. Regina goes on her co-ordinators duties on regular basis and all the centres are flourishing. We are in regular contact with Laeticia over the phone and by e-mail.
EDUCATION
Classes continued as usual. In the Doctor Lane centre all the children were promoted and two of them got prizes from school. Some senior children did the National Open School exams. The Blackburn Lane Centre children showed an improvement in their studies. Most of the children passed. The Fatima Centre children (English medium) were all promoted while the Bengali medium children got promoted in April. Only one child did not make to the next class due to illness. She is happy to repeat again. Three children were placed in boarding school and are doing well. There was admission of new children in all the three centres. The number of children in Fatima Centre has increased tremendously. The centre caters to children from six years to sixteen years. All the educational needs of the children are taken care of by the foundation. The art classes continue at Blackburn Lane centre on Saturdays and the children are showing a lot of interest in this area .Some have the talent to be artists.
TEACHERS
Initially when we started our centres we had two teachers for each centre Now with the increase in the number of children and children going to senior classes the number of teachers have increased. We have now got specialized teachers to teach the children maths, science, English and Bengali.
TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP.
Since we had to take new teachers for the centres, we thought it would be a good idea to have a workshop for the new comers, especially for the junior section. When the word went around the parish priest of Fatima Church invited other teachers to attend the two days workshop. The activities in the workshop concentrated on Maths and English learning skills. The teachers took active participation. They were active, energetic and enthusiastic. Tea and lunch were provided. All went home happy with new ideas to experiment with.
FOOD
The children in all the centres continue to be given nutritious food and dry rations. Their families are also given assistance especially where there is unemployment or where they are finding it difficult to meet ends meet due to extended family. Children and family appreciate this help.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
We are able to help the sick children with their medical expenses. The doctors fees and medicines are paid. They are also given extra nutritious food, vitamins and tonics to help them to boost up their health. Mothers are encouraged to take care of the children by using simple inexpensive nutritious food available locally as preventive measures from common sickness. There was a doctor’s check up of most children at Fatima Centre. We continue to reach out to our children and all those come to us for help. Among them is a child with a serious kidney ailment. We are doing our best to help her .
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations go out to all our children who have done well in their school leaving examination. All of them have entered their junior college. Those who are in graduation level are also doing well.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS.
Sophie Liechtie an old friend came to visit our centres with her husband and children. John and Mary Linehan visited the centres in January. Elaine Jones from Carlow taught in Doctor Lane Centre. The group from Cabinteely Community School, led by Laura, Michael and Caitríona visited us in March. Their students were enlightened and inspired by the experience they got here. Cathal and Aveen visited all the centre, did home visits and spent time in teaching the students of Fatima Centre for two weeks. Thanks for your kindness and generosity. Cathal O Reilly wrote the following, about his experience with Bridge Foundation,
“During June and July this year Aveen and I visited Calcutta. We were well looked after by Regina and Agnes who are doing a fantastic job looking after the Bridge foundation. We visited the three centres while we were there. I feel that the centres are doing really well with good numbers attending and a dedicated team of teachers looking after each centre. We worked in Fatima centre under the direction and guidance of Agnes. There are currently four rooms there with over 60 students. Aveen worked with the younger children and loved the experience. I worked with the older children. While there I helped the children with Shakespearean plays, some geography and Maths. I went over the plays with some class 9 students to check their understanding. The students were working really well and studied for the duration of the time that we were there. The teachers are really helping the students in their studies. Each center is doing really well and the guidance of Regina is invaluable in the operation of the centres. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience of Calcutta and wish the Bridge Center every best wish in the future”
CONDOLENCES
Some of our Bridge Foundation children as well as a teacher lost family members. We pray for the repose of their souls and for their bereaved families.
THANK YOU
Laeticia would like to thank all our friends who are connected with us in Bridge Foundation. “We are all builders of bridges. Some of us do the work by being in the place and some from far. I am grateful to all of you who, by making sacrifices, help us to better the lives of people in some part of this world. Sometimes it is a difficult mission but we strive to do our best.
I pray that God may shower his choicest blessings on you and your families”
Agnes d’Souza
for
The Bridge Foundation team