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These are
the first eleven children that were brought to Udayan
in 1970. They suffered from a variety of diseases such
as tuberculosis, malaria, amoebiasis, rickets, and skin
diseases. All of them were malnourished. James Stevens and
Dr. Dhruba Sen provided them with proper food, medical
attention, and above all, love. |
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In 1998, Steve Waugh first visited Udayan and made a pledge to help Udayan make provisions for girls. He did not waste his time and in August, 1999, Nivedita Bhavan
was completed and 84 girls became part of our family. |
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Many of these children were malnourished when they first arrived at Udayan. Having three well-balanced meals a day is a luxury that their families cannot afford. These children sing the thanksgiving hymn with the true knowledge of what it means to be thankful to have enough to eat. |
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A violin programme was started in 1998 and now consists of over twenty children. |
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The children play recorder with volunteer teacher Jill Wiwcharuk from Canada. Nourishing a child's soul is equally as important as nourishing his body. |
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This is a performance of a Hindi dance during the annual Christmas get-together. On this occasion, Udayan invites friends from Calcutta to help us celebrate. Our most honoured guests are the parents who come to pick up their children for a ten day holiday. The performance is taking place in front of our classroom building. |
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The monsoon season may put a temporary hold on cricket and football, but the children still have fun! |
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The children's
siblings who remain at home often do not have the privilege
of attending school as their parents require them to work.
For this reason, Udayan places a big emphasis on school work. |
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A large number of English children's books have been donated by friends. The children come from environments where reading for pleasure is unheard of. They are learning the concept of reading for fun, and they are improving their English while they're at it. |
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Udayan has an acre-large vegetable garden. Crops of potatoes, spinach, beets, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, and beans are grown on a rotation basis. |
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No matter how inventive the children are with the limited resources around them, it's still nice to have a good, old-fashioned swing set!
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Dominique de
Williencourt, a cello teacher and performer from the Paris
Conservatoire, has come to Calcutta on two separate occasions
to give benefit concerts for Udayan.
Visit Dominique's website at www.de-williencourt.com. |
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As
of the year 2005, there have been more than 9000 children who have
been educated and cared for by Udayan |
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28 new admissions with some of their parents
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Balika Hembrom , 5 years of age came with her parents who are beggars (both suffering from leprosy).She too has multiple leprosy patches.Animesh Mondal,Home Superintendent, is in the picture with them.
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Sabitri Mahato, 5 years of age. Her first hours in Udayan.
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Children arriving at Dakhineswar (Kali Temple) on an educational excursion. Dakhineswar temple in the 19th century had Ramakrishna Parameswar as one of its priests. He was the inspiration for the Ramakrishna Mission.
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Girls in the Temple courtyard.
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Playtime for some of the younger boys. |
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Playtime in between monsoon showers.
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Happy faces !
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