El Shaddai
Charitable Trust
Volunteers
Information Guide
Contents:
Page 1 El Shaddai – History - Founders & Trustees
Page 2 Where to find us in India
Page 3 The children we help & their backgrounds
Page 4 Our Educational Programme & Shanti Niketan Non FormalSchool
Page 5 Arrival in Goa, Accommodation Information & Map
Page 6 Typical Timetables
Page 7 El Shaddai Policy
Page 8 Child sponsorship and how it works
Page 9 Useful Information
Page 10 The climate & suggestions on what to bring with you. Using the
Internet & local telephones
Page 11 Visa Applications
Page 12 Health precautions, vaccinations recommended and Emergency
Contact information including doctors and hospitals
Page 13 Volunteers Disclaimer
Page 14 Gift Aid Declarations
1 of 14
PROFILE: EL SHADDAI CHARITABLE TRUST (INDIA)
The El Shaddai Charitable Trust is a registered Non-Profit Charity working in Goa and other states, implementing the Child Rights Act 2003/05 for orphans, street children and children coming from economically desperate conditions; Children are cared for and provided with food, clothing, shelter and education, to give them a better future. We have residential Children’s Homes, Day Care & Night Shelters, and Cottages for the seniors who are now attending colleges, technical institutions and professional training centres in Goa. In addition our outreach projects are in Mumbai, Nagpur, Chennai, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim and Bangalore. We also have a free food distribution programme in Goa called ‘Manna, Meals on Wheels’ and have started building a Children’s Cottage Hospital for terminally ill children (children with cancer, HIV/AIDS etc.)
El Shaddai means “Lord of comfort, provider of all”. We are a Christian organization
helping under privileged children of all caste and religions. While in our care the
children follow Christian principles. We focus on their personal development giving them
opportunities to change their lives through education.
Anita went on holiday to Goa in 1996 where she saw children begging, many covered in
skin diseases, some mothers forcing their children to work and beg for a living. God
gave her a vision to open Homes and Shelters for these children. She met Pastor
Matthew who told her he had had a vision 2 years before that someone from England
would come and help him help open Homes for the these deprived children. Together
they started El Shaddai working in the slums and the first Home opened twelve months
later for 15 children.
Charity Registration Number in India 009/GOA/97(India)
The Indian Charity was formerly certified to ISO 9001:2000 since 2005.
Our Founders:
Anita Edgar
Tel: 07813 345367 - UK May to October
Tel: (0091) 9225 901 334 - Goa October to May
Matthew Kurian (Goa)
Tel: (0091) 9225 901 280 – Goa
The children we help and their backgrounds.
For those who have visited India will have undoubtedly seen many children from the slums rag picking and begging. These children and families come to Goa from other States in India seeking a “better life”. They construct makeshift homes, often simply of polythene and a few branches. The land they squat on is usually owned by someone who either charges a high rent or have the Police evict them, so they go from place to place searching for somewhere to live. The children can earn between 50p- £1 a day in the markets or from rag picking or begging.
The common problem throughout most Street Children’s life is their alcoholic parents
Who spend much of their day intoxicated leaving the children to fend for themselves or
sending them on the streets to work or beg. If tourists give money, the families will
never let their children attend school, as the income from begging is too high
to give up. Only give fruit or water to begging children, not money and
encourage anyone you know to do the same.
In all of our Day Care Centres and Night Shelters we have Field Workers who go on the streets and into the slums to make contact with the children and their families. Much of their work is based around gaining the trust of the children’s families, explaining it is in the best interest for the whole family the children attend our Shelters to receive food, clothes and education. We also help the families obtain the correct documentation for their children to gain admission to school. Many of the families are totally illiterate so have not even obtained a birth certificate for their children. Once a child is settled with us in a Day Care Centre and we feel they could cope with the discipline of school we will endeavour to gain them entry into a local School. This brings huge benefits to the children both in terms of discipline and education.
Our Night Shelters and Day Care Centres help the Street Children in most need, offering a place of safety during the day and at night for emergencies and those at risk.
Once a child is settled with us we try and move them into one of our main Children’s
Homes where they will attend either ShantiNiketanSchool or a Private Formal
School.
Our Educational Programme
There are 3 types of education we offer our children. Government Formal, Private
Formal and Non Formal.
The Government Formal Schools are mostly in the local language. The only children attending these schools are in the Night Shelters and Day Care Centres.
Private Formal Schools offer a higher standard of education than Government schools
and are often Convents.
NonFormalSchool (Shanti Niketan) classes are based on the ability of the child and not in age groups. The lessons are taught in a creative manner by using flash cards, charts and drawings and involve lots of interaction between the teacher and child. Individual attention is given to slow learners and their day-to-day progress is monitored.
Shanti Niketan is located in the village of Assagao. A dedicated team of teachers
guide the children through their studies in a wide range of subjects including sports and arts and crafts.
Our children are always keen to show off their talents and achievements. Activities include poetry, drawing, acting, essay writing or poster making competitions. This method is far more fun for both the child and the teacher.
The role of the volunteers within the school is vital in providing individual attention to
the children most in need. After your first day at the school you will be given a timetable and allocated certain children who need special attention to improve their studies and/or confidence. One to one help is always appreciated whether it is learning new studies, teaching new games, or being creative with arts and crafts.
The staff will appreciate help with teaching new plays and dances so the children can perform on Teachers’ Day, Republic Day or at parties.
Any ideas you may have for fundraising are also welcome. Please discuss them with either Julia or James who will support you in whatever way they can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information about El Shaddai projects please see our website
Vision
“Bringing childhood to children who have never had it”.
Mission
El Shaddai as an organization exists to open Homes and Shelters for the abandoned Street Children and for children coming from economically poor or broken families providing them with the basic necessities of life, so developing their personalities leading to a brighter future. To establish support systems for the weaker sections viz. women & children of our society. To conduct awareness & educational programmes including medical camps among the slum dwellers.
Motto
LOVING ~ CARING ~ SHARING
Founders & Board of Trustees
The El Shaddai Charitable Trust was founded in 1997 under the aegis of the Founders Matthew Kurian and Anita Edgar, with seven members forming the Board of Trustees under whom the Management and Staff function.
Benefactors
El Shaddai Charitable Trust is set up to help:-
- Orphan children
- Street children
- Slum children
- Children coming from economically desperate backgrounds.
- Children whose parents suffer from terminal illness/disease
- Children living in high-risk environment.
- Children of underprivileged migrants
- Runaway children
- Terminally ill children.
- Families living below the poverty line (Loan a goat, Wells for life)
- Children of commercial sex workers
- Children coming from schedule castes and tribes.
- Women and Child; healthcare, support and counselling.
El Shaddai Charitable Trust provides the following services:-
- Food
- Shelter
- Clothing
- Education
- Residential facilities
- Counselling
- Medical facilities (Basic and specialized)
- Holistic growth of children in our care.
- Family support through regular visits, counseling & family planning.
- Talks on health, hygiene and healthy eating.
- Professional training/schooling
- Technical training
- Apprenticeships and job training/placement
- Grants and Scholarships
- Community sponsorships
- HIV & Aids assistance through projects and the Cottage Hospital
- Awareness and treatment of Polio, sickness and disability.
Homes
- Victory House Saligao, Goa, for boys aged 7 years- 12 years, opened in 1997.(Tel : 0832 6513296)
- Shekinah House, Assagao, Goa, for boys aged 12 years and above, opened in 1999.(Tel : 0832 6513293)
- Rainbow House, Assagao, Goa, for girls aged 7 years and above opened in 1999.(Tel : 0832 6513294)
- House of Kathleen, Assagao, Goa,for girls and boys aged 2-6 years, opened in 2002.(Tel : 0832 6513292)
Day Care & Night Shelter Units
- Asha Deep, Panjim, Goa, opened in April 2003. For up to 100 children day and night (Tel: 0832 6513297)
- Stepping Stones, Margao, Goa, opened in April 2005. For up to 150 children day and night (Tel : 0832 6571697)
- Little Acorns, Calangute, Goa, opened in October 2005 for up to 100 children daily and at night in an emergency. (Tel: 0832 6517191)
Cottages for older Boys and Girls
- Colshaw & Harvest Cottage behind Victory House
- Laurel Cottage, Assagao
- Rainbow’s End, behind Rainbow House
Educational Units
- Shanti Niketan: A Non Formal and NationalOpenSchool opened in June 2001, for children in our care at the Homes. (Tel : 0832 6513296)
- Children’s Library & Computer Centre: Opened in November 2006
- Tremara Community Centre: Opened in March 2008
Other Projects
- Petra House: Children's Home in Chennai, for Tsunami victims.
- Manna Khana “Meals On Wheels”: A take away packet food distribution for Street Children started on Children’s day (14th November 2004) in the main cities of Goa.
- Reach Worldwide in Kerala: Education Project for 200 Children
- Sharansthan in Nagpur: Children’s Rehabilitation programme
- Ashalaya in Sikkim: Educational Project for Children
- Balwadis in Mumbai: Educational Project for Children
- Sunshine in Bangalore: Educational Project for Children
- Loan a Goat in Karnataka: Goat Project for underprivileged families and their children
- Wells for Life in Karnataka: Bore wells for underprivileged families and their children
- Impact Goa : A Research Study on the Socio – Economic Status of migrant families children in the state of Goa.
Projects under construction
Children’s Cottage Hospital for Terminally ill children, in Goa
- ‘Fun 2 Retire’ for Senior Citizens and Orphaned Children
- Catering Institute for Underprivileged children, in Goa
- Craftsmanship Training in Building Trade, in Goa
- Water Purification Plant in Goa
- Community Centre in Goa
- Education Centre and Hostel in Mungod (Karnataka)
SUCCESS STORIES
- Children pursuing higher studies and professional courses
- Children working in reputed Companies in Goa
- Children pursuing Vocational Training Courses
- Medical rehabilitation provided to children with disabilities
- Childhood to Children who never had it
- Better future for Street Children
- Nurse Training
TAX STATUS
All donations made to El Shaddai Charitable Trust are eligible for Tax Exemption ie. 50% tax exempt under section 80G and 100% tax exempt under section 35AC or 80GGA.
For more information about El Shaddai projects please see our website
Arrival in Goa & Accommodation Information:
On arrival at DabolimAirport (Goa) please collect your luggage and proceed through customs and immigration. Our Staff will be at the airport to meet you at the prearranged time.
Please note that inductions take place on the 1st Tuesday of each month and we request you arrive on the day before if possible. If this is not possible we will do our best to send a member of staff to meet you but this may not always be possible, so please ensure that you have advised us of your travel arrangements in good time. If your flight is delayed or your arrival time changes in any way please inform either James by telephone and email if possible giving as much notice as possible.
James D’Souza - (0091) 9225901266 -
From the airport we will drive you to your accommodation in Assagao, the village close to Rainbow House and the House of Kathleen.
Once you have settled into your accommodation we will introduce you to our staff, the children in Rainbow House and the House of Kathleen also answer any immediate questions you may have.
There is a small restaurant called Carvalhos next to the House of Kathleen, there you can purchase refreshments throughout the day. Any food and drink you have here will be at your own expense. The cost of food and drink provided in our Homes and Shelters is included in the donation you should have already made to the Charity.
On your second and third day you will be met by our Volunteer Coordinator James D’Souza. James will accompany you during your one day induction and take you to some of the other Homes, Night Shelters and our School,where you will be introduced to the staff and children. On the second day you will visit our office in Assagao where you will meet our PRO Roussel to discuss your placement and collect your ID badge and polo shirt which must be worn at all times during your working hours or while accompanying the Children to the beach etc, the badge must be returned at the end of your stay.
A Typical Timetable:
Breakfast Supplies will be delivered to your accommodation.
Your normal working week from Monday to Friday, starts at 7.30 am and generally finishes around 7-7.30pm. Your week-ends are free but on Saturday and Sunday afternoons you are welcome to join the children on the beach in season, (Our bus leaves Rainbow House at 1:30 pm).
7.30-8 am you help the small children in the House of Kathleen with their breakfast, place your order for an evening meal if required & collect your packed lunch (Tiffin)
.
7.30 am Children who attend FormalSchool leave on the ESCT bus.
8.00 am you help the small children who attend ShantiNiketanSchool onto the school bus. Escort the Rainbow House and Shekinah House children to school on foot.
9.00 am – 12 pm During this time you will be helping the teachers in Shanti Niketan.
12-2 pm Lunch Time - You are free to play and interact with the children.
2-3.50 pm School activities continue.
3.50 pm Escort the children to Rainbow and Shekinah House
4.30-6pm Depending on the number of volunteers at any one time you will be divided between the 3 Homes in Assagao, playing with the children, also showing any visitors around the Homes, give out brochures and newsletters and answering any questions.
6 pm you help the small children in House of Kathleen under the
supervision of the In Charge.
7 pm Dinner time
On Wednesdays during the Tourist Season, from mid October to the end of April, we have a stall at the Anjuna Flea Market where you may be asked to help hand out leaflets and talk with anyone who is interested in helping, sponsoring or visiting our Homes.
MainSchool Holidays: From the second week of April to the first week of June the Schools in Goa are closed. During this time we encourage many of our children who have a living relative to visit their families. This is not as strange as it may seem as the bond between a parent and child is very strong and wherever possible we do our utmost to keep this alive.
The children who are not able to return home for whatever reason stay with us and are amalgamated usually into Rainbow House and Victory House.
This time allows a much-needed break for many of the house staff in rota.
During this time the children need as much interaction as possible so your time with them is invaluable. Please play as much as possible, teaching new games, arrange parties and days out and generally be as inventive as you can with many competitions, sports days etc. Should you need any
special materials please ask your House in Charge or James who will endeavour to assist you with purchasing them.
* Special dietary requirements:
Should you have any special dietary requirements please inform James ASAP.
El Shaddai Policy:
In order to assist us we would ask you to comply with the following:
Dress Code:
Please always wear suitable clothing whilst around our staff and children. We will provide 2 Polo or T-Shirts, these must be worn at all times while on duty with either three quarter or long trousers or skirt (not mini). No very short shorts or vest tops while on duty.