Drawing Competition

January 26, 2009 : Drawing Competition among 70 Children at Fr Agnel’s Church, Bandstand, Bandra

Umang Foundation sought an opportunity to provide some time and service to the 70 boys living in Father Agnel's Orphanage, Bandra. It is headed by 1 prefect and 2 fathers and some faculty.

Every child was waiting for Umang Foundation group eagerly on the Monday Morning at Fr Agnel’s Church, Bandstand, Bandra. They were arranging their beddings and cleaning the room as time of Umang Members to reach the orphanage was coming closure. At 10:30 am Umang Members have reached the place as per the schedule of the day. All Children were very excited about drawing competition as most of them have good hidden talent within them.

To start with Ashish Goyal has introduced the Umang Members to the children and then a loud noise from every kid “Vande Matram” which clearly indicated that let’s start our real work for the day. Without wasting any single moment Ashish quickly explained the whole plan for the day and in the mean time Surender Pendam, Jayant Bansal, Ridhi Sheth distributed the Drawing Sheets and Crayons Colors along with pencil, sharpeners and eraser to every kid.

To start the drawing competition we had Mrs Archana Sarte, a professional drawing teacher who explained the basics of drawing to the children and explained the theme of the day – ‘INDIA’, theme of the day to give children a chance to draw their ‘Dream INDIA’ or what is the first thing they can think when they listen the word ‘INDIA’. It was again not surprising to listen from children “Fight against Terrorism”, “Pollution free India”, “Terrorist entered by Sea route”, “A Burning Taj Mahal Hotel”, “Save Tiger”, “Peaceful India”, “National Items”, “Indian Culture”, “Mother India”, “Save Trees”, “India on Moon”.


Umang Members have distributed the National Flags to all children to pin it up on their shirts.

One hour time was allotted to children and we started drawing competition at 11:20 am and it is really good to see that most of the children were really good in drawing which was evident in first 15 minutes with their pencil sketch on paper and as soon as they fill colors in the pencil drawn design on sheet, we were surprised to see the Impact of Terror Attacks in Mumbai in the mind of these children. They could not forget the Burning Taj Mahal Hotel or Attack at CST Station or Terrorist entered through the sea route on boat, Burning BEST buses and many similar picture in their mind is so dense that they could articulate the same over the paper.

There were 10 big tables which kids were using for drawing, have been distributed among the Umang Members to guide them and to judge the drawing after wards. Every Umang Members have identified the First and Second prize among their table’s children whom they were mentoring throughout the session, then Father Diniz Francisco visited all the tables and saw all the drawing drawn by kids and mentioned the spelling mistake to the kids and guide the correct word to them too. Then, Father Diniz Francisco and Father Victor distributed the gifts to the children.

By this time it is 1:45 PM, and its time for Lunch, Umang Members have arranged a Biryani and Raita for all the children. Umang Members have served the food to all the children which was followed by Samosa to all the children.

Post Lunch session has started around 2:30 pm where Games, Songs, Dance and Music were Planned. As per the plan Ansuman Mohapatra and Alpa Khatri started a game Dumb Shred with the children, Mrs Ghosh another Umang member explained the rules of the game and started a game with the children. After playing for 30 minutes they initiated a number game too.

At around 3:15 pm Himanshu Gupta and Jayant Bansal took a charge for Songs and Dance performance by the children. One of them told that we also play guitar and then 2 Children bring their guitars and sing a song on the guitar beats.

By this time it is almost 4:00pm and as per the pre-discussed schedule its time for wrapping up the day from this place and Its time for us to say Good Bye to all these wonderful children with cheering smile.

Few of children have shared their experience with Ridhi Sheth:-

Imran said:-
I loved this short programme very much, It was fun and Enjoyable. It was well organized. Umang Members were very good and Kind and I loved the drawing competition topic “INDIA” as it was not difficult nor hard, It was simple and easy topic which helped me to win the prize.
I loved the food very much, I love Raita. Thank You for so kind and grateful to us.

Ernest said:-
I find that there are NO Problems for us in the Ashram, we enjoy our life and get all the facilities. I found the event very nice and on my path O enjoyed it very much. The food was very nice and I enjoyed it. On my side I don’t need anything but we the children need your prayer and blessings for us and the fathers. Thank You for the wonderful time we enjoyed with you all. Thank You.

William said:-
I liked it very much and we enjoyed this programme very much, I thank Umang Foundation who gave us the delicious food and really we enjoyed this delicious food but next time we want to play tournaments like football, cricket and volley ball.

Sebastian said:-
We enjoyed this day, Today we like the program which was held like drawing competition and we enjoyed lunch and we thank all the volunteers. We thank Umang Foundation. We like this programme very much and if you come again we would like to play football tournament. We like this place. Thank you to all.


Shiva said:-
On 26th January 09, Umang Foundation conducted a creative programme for the children of the Agnel Ashram. The programme started at 11:00 am with the foundation members introducing themselves to the children.

They first conducted the drawing competition by dividing the children in the different groups, making them sit on the different tables.

Two winners were selected from each table and given 1st and 2nd prizes accordingly the competition came to end at 1:30pm. Soon after the programme lunch was given, by the facial expression of the children it could be clearly seen that they enjoyed the lunch very much.


For More Photographs :
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/umangfoundation/DrawingCompetitionAmong70OrphanChildrenRepublicDay2009?feat=directlink

Food Distribution

January 26, 2009 : Food Distribution at H K Chainani Elder's Home


Umang Champion : Pankaj Shah
Thanks to Mallika Chandrasekhar (Retd Scientist) to initiate this and carry it forward with all responsibilities.

Hindustan Times - HT Lives

The Indian Express - Mumbai Newstime

Hindustan Times - HT Lives

Musical Show

January 17, 2009 : Memorable Patriotic Musical Evening at Old Age Home

A enthusiasm never go with age, it goes with heart; You can enjoy every musical moments at any point of life and this truth is once again proved where we have organized a Musical Celebration of Patriotic feeling at our Old Age Home.


After the long mail chains for over two week of discussion and arrangement for spending time at the old age home H K Chainani Elders Home at Mulund (E), there was still some games listing and shopping left for the last minute. We gathered at 2 pm for the discussion which followed by shopping of gifts and some daily utility items for the elders.

The theme decided for the day was patriotism and we had arranged for a troupe of professional singers to take up one of the event. As everyone entered the common hall where the events were organised we welcomed each of them with a National Flag. It was nice to see them proudly tilt their shoulders forward as the Umang volunteers tucked the National Flag to their clothes. Slowly the hall filled up with 30 pretty old ladies and gentle men in their 70s and 80s.

We started with some bhajans followed by patriotic songs. Everyone was clapping along as the chores continued. Healthy snacks were provided to give them a break. As we wanted their equal participation and involvement we played some movie games and Game of Housie. The Umang volunteers sat along with them to help them check their tickets. The Game of Housie winners were given lovely painted mugs along with napkins as a small token.


Now it was time to dance, Yes you believe it or not they all were very enthusiastic about this very part of the event every one danced on the Sindhi numbers and Punjabi remixes even those who had knee problems and could not stand danced sitting on their chair, raising their hands with moving figures and rocking their shoulders. It was good to hear from them that the event and our presence had made them remind their childhood again. They felt YOUNG!! This was our basic motto / intention and our commitment for the day to bring the beautiful smile on their faces. We felt like our objective for the day was fulfilled their smiles made us feel yes!! We had done it!! It was a real sense of achievement for the moment.

Umang Members, who sung many patriotic songs, some of them are :

1. Ae mere vatan k logon
2. Yeh desh hai veer jawano kaa
3. Aye mere pyarae vatan, a merae bichadae vatan
4. Jahan Dal dal par sono ki chidiae karti hai basera
5. Sare jahan se acha
6. Nana muna rahi hu
7. Merae desh ki dharti
8. Vandae matheram
9. Hoto pe sachai rehati hai
10. Hai preet jahan ki reet jahan
11. Jan gan man
12. Bharat humko jaaan sae bhi pyara hai
13. Chak dae India
14. Fir bhi dil hai Hindustani
15. Ae maalik tere bande hum

Now, the time for last session of the day which was Dinner and as we arranged the plates on the tables in the mess area, each one of them came and took their seats like good boys and girls. Yes, their places were fixed!! It was pleasure serving them food... taking care of the consumption in their plates asking them for more wondered if they could get this attention from their own children could not find out if they still lovely painted mugs longed for that or they did overcome !

We had arranged for toothpaste and soaps, for each individual, sufficient to stock for a year. As we handed these to them and bid them farewell they told us “try to make it here, to meet us at least every month” just hoping that we had some more time to spend with them, it was bed time for them and we had to wave them good night. They gave blessings as they waved back blessings from the bottom of their hearts, blessings that were priceless the oldies were really Goldies !!!

For More Photographs:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/umangfoundation/PatrioticMusicalEveningOldAgeHome?feat=directlink

Blood Donation Camp

January 13, 2009 : Blood Donation Camp at TCS, Vikhroli

This Blood Donation Camp was organized with J J Hospital, Byculla, they have collected 144 blood bottles.

Also, we have committed them to provide 600 Blood Bottles every month from the start of April 2009.