| Annual
Report for the Year 2002-2003
India is a society in
transition. The economic reforms initiated by the
governments both at central and state level, the
globalization of economies world over and the
technological revolution ushered in by the computers have
together changed the way people live their lives. Although
it is easy to see these factors positively helping the
upper and to some extent middle income groups in view of
their higher literacy rates and proximity to civic
amenities the same cannot be said about the poor and the
marginalized classes. The benefits of the economic reforms
are yet to reach the poor man. They might in the long run
as the government claims. But as of now the poor are at
the receiving end of this painful transition. Despite a
plethora of schemes implemented by a well-meaning
government the status of underprivileged children remains
woefully same. Andhra Pradesh still tops the list in
employing the highest number of child laborers in India.
Compounding further this
general situation are a crippling economic recession,
communal tensions and political uncertainties.
Notwithstanding the negative influence of all these social
and economic factors the year 2002-03 has brought about
much cheer in the lives of the beneficiaries we at Chord
served during this period. We have performed exceedingly
well in the areas of child labor eradication and advocacy
of child rights and have made a good beginning in the
field of women’s empowerment. Following are a few
milestones achieved
Activities and Projects of CHORD
I. Child welfare
(Child Labor Rehabilitation)
 Project ‘Aashirwad’,
a residential transit school for child laborers,
rehabilitates about 200 child labourers every year with
the aim of mainstreaming them and imparting them technical
education to enable them to become self-reliant
individuals. These children are admitted on basis of an
admission test designed to assess their academic ability.
Accordingly they are grouped. We have special curriculum
for these children. After the admission process the
children are divided into two groups. First group is put
into Bridge course-I where children of age 7 to 15 are
accommodated. Bridge course-I is nothing but the condensed
form of classes Ist and 2nd curriculum. The
second group is bridge course-II, this is mainly useful
for the dropouts, which covers 3rd, 4th and 5th
class curriculum. These Bridge courses are taught for 6
months and thereafter children are mainstreamed according
to their learning ability. Presently we have classes up to
class VII. Presently 21 children are preparing to appear
for seventh class common exam in April 2003. Most of these
children are mainstreamed from Bridge course-II.
Happenings
at Aashirwad
Annual Day Celebrations at ‘Aashirwad’
 ‘Aashirwad’ annual day was
celebrated on Seventh May 2002 at Kukatpally. Honorable
Minister for Commercial Taxes, Sri. K. Vijaya Rama Rao was
the chief guest and Honorable Minister for Power &
Energy, Sri. K. Subba Raidu was the special guest of that
evening. It was attended by Sri. Viswanath, HRM, Motorola
India Limited, Sri. K.T.Prasad, GM (HR), ITC-IBD, Sri.
Janajith Ray, Principal, Oakridge International School,
and Employees of Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories Unit I,
Alkabeer Exports Private Limited, Khaitan Fans, Rane Brake
Linings, Esso Lifts and Tibrewala Electronics. Dr.
Reddy’s Laboratory employees have handed over ration
(Dhal, Oil and Sugar) as their collective monthly
contribution to the children and the children of
‘Aashirwad’ performed cultural events.
Flag
Hoisting on the Independence Day
On the 15th August,
India’s 54th Independence Day was celebrated.
Ms. Laxmi, KPHB Corporator has hoisted the Indian flag and
spent time with the children. Other community leaders from
the surrounding locality and the parents of the children
have also participated with great deal of enthusiasm.
Teacher’s
Day
At ‘Aashirwad’, September 5th
was celebrated on a high note. Children from VI and VII
standard have taken the role of teachers of the school and
taught the lower classes on that day. Children had good
time in imitating their teachers and enjoyed the day. In
the evening, all the students have felicitated their
teachers with the gift of promise ‘not to go back to the
work’. They wished that this school should run for a
long time so that many children can under go this kind of
education. Even they promised that they would not employ
any child labour in their work place. Few of the teachers
spoke on the life and history of Dr. Sarvepalli
Radhakrishna and the importance for the day. The day ended
with the cultural programme by the students.
Gandhi
Jayanthi 2nd October
Aashirwad
celebrated October 2nd as Gandhi Jayanthi. On
this particular day, school children have participated in
a variety of sports and games. The theme of the play
revolved around a child labourers dreams and resilience to
over come the obstacles to lead a normal childhood life.
Few of the children spoke on the life and aspects of
Mahatma Gandhiji’s life. Schoolteachers spoke on the
significance of Gandhiji’s life in modern period. Prizes were distributed to the winners. The parents of the
children also attended this gathering.
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