Reality Gives' Programs - A New School Year

Last Monday schools across the country opened their doors and welcomed back students from their summer holidays. Over at Royal City School, it was no different.

students paying revent attention to writing names on the front of their text books 

With four new teachers joining the staff (more on them later), there was a wonderful sense of expectation and excitement in the air at the school. We were struck by the (what must be universal) nostalgia about the promise of a new, unblemished textbook, a brand new pencil case filled with brand new stationary, and a rucksack bigger than the child wearing it. A great reminder of the common humanity we all share.

A small child. A huge rucksack. A universal symbol of childhood nostalgia.

Sitting down with the new Standard I students, we asked them how they felt about coming back to school. “GOOD!” a chorus of tiny voices replied. “There is lots of fun in learning and writing and being with my friends” 6 year old Sujana  confidently announced (who then could not stop laughing, giggling and wiggling in her seat as she posed for a photo).

Happy to be back!

The smiles, laughing, giggling and wiggling didn’t stop there. Kemal, Ayesha, Sana and Damodar our new teachers share this sense of excitement and positivity surrounding the new school year. Damodar (our first male teacher) told us, “the quality is so high and the experience being here is exciting. The other teachers are very supporting and I am excited to share and learn with the children. We can learn together”.

Parents eagerly waiting for their children at the school gates

Similarly to our other teachers, Kemal, Ayesha, Sana and Damodar grew up dreaming of being a teacher. “I remember my first teacher, Ms. Bharti”, Kemal tells us “she had such beautiful writing. From that moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher”.

With this great influx of enthusiasm, the school’s head, Lakshmi said “I feel very positive about the coming year. In the previous academic year we learnt a lot. We have implemented lots of new things and we really can’t wait to see the fruits of our labour and ultimately, benefits the students”.

Reality Gives' Programs - "We are all together with friendship"

Whilst the core of Reality Gives’ work focuses on core educational programs, we augment these with a number of other activities run through our community centre to give local children the opportunity to explore their creative side, to develop a skill or hobby, and, essentially, to have a childhood. One of these activities is cricket.

The cup has now become the annual end of season event for PFF 

Project Front Foot, fuelled by the enthusiasm and spirit of Vic Mills and executed by the dedication and professionalism of coaches, Harshad and Bhavna, began in October 2009, and has been growing ever since. The PFF season now ends with the Annual Friendship Cup (now in its second year). The tournament sees the PFF boys come together with Salaam Bombay, Cricket India Academy and Indian Gymkhana to do what they love best, play cricket. 

"We are all together"

A great day of cricket resulted in Salaam Bombay taking home the trophy for the second year running, but more importantly, lots of tired, happy boys going home in their whites, which would more accurately be described as ‘browns’ owing to the amount of dust they’d accumulated from a day of strenuous effort on the pitch (chasing a ball down in the outfield is no mean feat given the soaring temperatures and the unforgiving midday sun).

Everyone's a winner!

Sitting in the limited shade of Shivaji Park we asked a few of the players what the game meant to them. “When we are there we are all together, we are all best friends” Ritesh shared. It suddenly clicks, “That is why it is the friendship cup, because we are all together with friendship”. And ultimately, that’s exactly what this day is about.  Its not about who takes home the trophy. It’s about boys of different ages, castes and religions putting on their whites and being totally united by their passion for sport. It’s about a level playing field.

Reality Gives' Programs - “Of course we will win. I'm the player of the month!”

Their interest in cricket piqued by the recent World cup, newly arrived volunteers Lydia and Eloise paid a visit to Indian Gymkhana, Matunga - home of Project Front Foot. Here's what they found...

'On our arrival at the Indian Gymkhana ground we received a warm welcome from the boys (aged between 12 and 14) who were really excited to start the practice and show their skills in front of our camera, especially as the Cricket World Cup was currently running (and at that point in time their Indian heroes were still in with a chance). As we got to know from the children, the practice is held three times a week, from 9 to 11, and matches are arranged on the weekends. 

Practising the 'forward defensive', an important part of any batsman's arsenal - as Eloise
and Lydia learned during their time over at PFF

Although we missed the usual 15 laps of jogging (phew!), we saw their warm-up program which included body, leg, back and arms stretching. Workout over and the boys were finally ready to put on their pads, helmets and take up their bats. As the coaches explained to us, some kids were practising playing off front and back foot while others worked on batting and bowling. They also gave us the chance to catch some balls.

Although we did not really know the rules of cricket it was a lovely morning and it was great to meet all the boys and coaches who are participating in this great project. We experienced a lot of smiles, enthusiasm and motivated boys.

Catching practise

Thanks a lot to everyone, who made this morning so interesting. A special thanks to the coaches, who had a lot of patience with us and our non-existent knowledge of the game. We learned a lot!'.

Reality Volunteers - "There are so many things that I will remember!"

Yesterday Reality said goodbye to Shneeka Centre, a volunteer from the US who has been with us for 4 months. Before she hopped on a plane to Northern Island we sat down with Shneeka for a quick chai to reflect on her time volunteering in India...

  

Can you give us an overview of your role at Reality?

"I was a coach with the Girls’ Football program".

What were your first impressions?

"My first impressions of Mumbai were great. I immediately loved how friendly everyone at Reality Gives was and how kind the Dharavi community were. Right from the start, the football girls have been awesome to work with. They are always so happy for practice and for matches. They are incredibly excited for the opportunity to play football and to be a part of a team".

Shneeka was rarely out of her Reality Gives' 'COACH' jersey during her time with us

What have you been most proud of in your time here?

"I am definitely most proud of the moms’ football sessions we have started. Peter and I started holding Saturday afternoon fitness sessions for moms from the Dharavi community. The moms have been fantastic to work with. Many of them have not been given the chance to participate in sport since they were younger so it is really great to see them laughing and enjoying themselves while getting exercise.  We have had a nice turnout so far and I hope it can continue to grow".

 

What will you remember most?

"There are so many things that I will remember! I will remember all of the people that I have met and worked with. I will remember how excited the football girls are for practice and how excited they are to have the opportunity to play. I am hoping I remember the Hindi that I picked up too!".

What have you learned?

"In my short time here, I have definitely learned a lot. Probably the greatest thing I have learned is how wonderful Dharavi actually is. Yes, of course there are negatives, but there are so many encouraging and inspiring aspects. People in the community are so helpful and caring. Even though their situation is less than ideal, everyone is always helping one another and so generous with the little they have".

So often behind the camera or off running around the sports field, Shneeka has been something of an unsung hero these past few months. All of us at Reality would like to thank her for the wonderful energy and positivity she brought to the team; for what she did and the way that she did it.

All the best with your next adventure Shneeka. See you back here soon!

Reality Gives at Royal City School - “Thursday was the first day I have ever felt like I was important, and that my families’ happiness and learning mattered”

Last week Reality Gives staff, volunteers and supporters joined forces with an incredible team of India First employees, and 8ft ‘Doreamon’ and ‘Chota Bheem’ mascots (popular children’s cartoon characters), to deliver Royal City School’s first ever annual sports day.

"Our children got an annual sports day as any child should deserve to have"

With races for children from Kindergarten to Standard II and even the mums and dads competing, it proved to be an incredible experience for all involved. Reflecting on the day Letizia De Martino, Reality Gives Executive Director shared, “In our vision we say that we want to build a world where underprivileged communities have equal access to opportunities and resources. I think today we did it! Our children got an Annual Sports Day as any child should deserve to have”.

Over at the school, the children are still grinning from ear to ear - “I like it because I can run” Standard II student Vikram told us “I have never seen so much space”. Fellow Standard II student Sanjana told us, “The ground was very big and nice. I loved it. It was too huge. I loved passing the pipe (the relay) and the medals and the running” whilst her classmate Vivek told us “I didn’t win a medal. My mother did. My mother won a gold medal for running. I feel happy”.

The races weren't just for the kids!

“It was such a good experience” Sujatha, one of our senior teachers told us, “The best day. The organisation. The parents’ preparation Everything. The mothers ran so fast. ‘How do you run in a sari’ I asked one. ‘Just watch. It is no problem’ she said!”.

The day was a great example as to what can be achieved when great organisations come together. Thanks so much to India First for funding and facilitating the event!

The parents too are still abuzz with the thrill and excitement of the day. One father shared with our Quality Improvement Director, Annabelle “Thursday was the first day I have ever felt like I was important, and that my families’ happiness and learning mattered. Thank you, it is a day we will never forget”.

Thanks so much to the team of staff, volunteers and other dedicated individuals who made this day so memorable for so many. Special thanks to India First Life Insurance, without their funding, organising and boundless energy this dream event would never have come true!

To help us continue to give these children the opportunities and 

experiences they deserve, click here.

Reality Gives - Hopes for 2015

The beginning of a New Year is often a time for reflection, for taking stock, and for looking to the future, which is exactly what we are doing here in Dharavi.

We asked some of our staff, beneficiaries and minor celebrities (Pubalan) what their hopes, dreams and resolutions were for 2015. Here's what they had to say...

Over at Royal City School, Educational Programs Director, Lakshmi shared that "in 2015 I look forward to becoming computer savvy and all teachers speaking nothing but English from the moment the first bell rings in the morning to the end of the school day".

Standard I Teacher, Krishna told us "My wish for the New Year is to return to the school after giving birth to a healthy baby, and to keep up with current affairs". "I want the New Year to be good for everyone" added her student, Afsanjaha.

Afsanjaha, Standard I Student, Royal City School

Elsewhere in the organisation Computer Teacher, Ravi said "I wish to learn advance computers – like tally, software, DTP and to improve my English fluency. I wish to teach all my students in English only. For my students – I wish that they learn computers and English and continue their studies" and his colleague, Banu wants "to visit my native place (the village she is from in Tamil Nadu) with my whole family and meet my younger brother who is away from us for four years".

Karthika, from the Girl's Football Program shared her wish to "write a letter to Peter (our former Sport Programs Director who is moving to the US) and to learn Dance as well. I do not want to fight with her brother in the year as it causes lot of nuisance to my parents and I want to do a job and help poor and needy people". 

"My wish listen is to be number 1 on trip adviser" Reality Founder, Krishna told us, "it will help us to get more funds through our tours for our projects. I also wish to do some programs in the recycling area of Dharavi", whilst Reality Gives Executive Director, Lethy said "in 2015 I wish Reality Gives will touch more and more lives. Helping young people in Dharavi to flourish to their full potential".

Thumbs up to 2015 from Reality Give's beneficiary,  Pubalan

Finally, the last word, as it so often does, goes to Pubalan, who wishes "to learn good things and make good friends. I want to grow trees to save the earth". It seems 2015 is going to be quite a year!

Click here to support Reality Gives in helping some of these hopes and dreams come true.

Moustache Wallahs - The Significance of the Indian 'Mo'

As most of you will know by now, ‘Moustache Wallahs’ is in full force over here in the Reality Gives’ office with plenty of our boys sporting a mo. We've now begun some awareness session, talking 'scrotums, the prostate, impotence and depression' and are planning more sessions and clinics in the next few weeks.

Our moustaches have sparked many locals and tourists to share the history of moustaches in India, along with many interesting facts. We thought you might be interested in our findings…

Jitu, Jonny and Asim sporting some spectacular mo's

For generations of Indian men, a moustache has been a must. Throughout history, it was thought that the more fabulous your facial hair was, the more masculine you were. Before the eighteenth century only high caste men were allowed to keep moustaches. So, moustaches were seen as a symbol of power. However, it is now becoming ‘the thing’, especially in northern India, for men to be clean shaven. This could be due to the heavier Western influence in the north, the fact that few famous cricketers and Bollywood stars have moustaches or according to a recent AC Nielsen Survey, women prefer to hang-out, date and kiss a clean-shaven man, so potentially vanity is playing a part. We haven’t been given one definite answer. However, we are without doubt that the choice to have, or not to have a moustache is not taken lightly out here.

These facts only confirmed this feeling for us:

- An Indian will swear on his moustache to demonstrate his sincerity.

- To say someone’s “moustache is drooping” is to say he is sad.

- The world’s longest moustache measures 14 feet and belongs to an Indian 
man called Ram Singh Chauman. It is enough of an attraction to earn him a living. He charges modelling fees, he starred in Bollywood films and even had a cameo in the Bond film Otopussy,

- It is often a mandatory requirement for doormen in five star hotels to have moustaches.

- In some families, it is necessary for a man to wear a moustache until his father passes away. He will then have freedom to shave his moustache.

- Traditionally moustaches were seen as a sign of virility.

- Believe it or not but police in the northern Madhya Pradesh state get paid an allowance for growing a moustache. Police chief Mayank Jain came about the idea during a seminar when he noticed that the police officers who had moustaches were getting looks of respect from others in the room. So it made logical sense to benefit from this additional respect. Any police officer who grows a moustache will be paid an additional 30 rupees a month for their efforts. The only catch to the allowance is that the police chief has to inspect the moustaches himself.

Through sporting our mo's we're proud to become a part of this rich history and also raise awareness about men's health.

To show your support and help fund awareness sessions for the men of Dharavi, 'mo'nate now.