traffic signal to school

17 khoj children have joined regular school. they live on the streets and under the flyovers but their enthusiasm to go to school is high. despite of lack of resources they still manage to wake up early and arrange things for themselves. they go to school on their own by public transport.

bravo for these kids

Beginning

Hazaron khwahishen aisi,
ki har khwahish pe dam nikle,
bohut nikle mere armaan,
mere armaan phir bhi kam nikle.

Ideas keep coming but this was one idea on which we took action.

We started this project on 26th nov 2005 with 15 to 18 children (age group between 3-15 yrs) at Dilli Haat. While some of these children are school dropouts, most of them never got an opportunity to go to a school. All of them are earning their livelihoods by polishing shoes and begging in Dilli-haat, Ansal plaza, South extension market, etc.

In the last one year, we have started 4 new centres within South Delhi benefiting more than 80 children. At the moment, we are running sessions at the following locations:
1. Dilli Haat
2. Bheekaji Cama traffic signal
3. Ber Sarai traffic signal
4. Jor Bagh traffic signal
5. Moti bagh

Our objectives

1. Target marginalized and street children to empower their skills, abilities and talents in order to support life in a better way

2. Inspire community members to share their resources, capacities and knowledge with these children

3. Promote volunteerism and act as a bridge between the volunteers and children

Learning activities

• Tree plantation.
• Theatre
• Games
• Drawing
• Story telling
• Marble painting
• Puppetry
• Clay modeling
• Origami
• Spray painting

We need your help

Volunteers: -

- For conducting sessions with kids
- Networking and programming
- Report Generation
- Documentation
- Theatre
- Fund Raising
- Health Team


Resources: - (OLD or NEW as convenient and feasible)

• Stationery:- pencils, erasers, sharpeners and note books
• Colors:- crayons, water colors, poster colors,enamel paints,pencil colors, sketch pens etc.
• Books:- text books up class 5th, cursive writing books, story books, picture books, drawing books, practice books for language and math.
• Toys
• Teaching aids
• Clothes and footwear

Unique initiative - Trip to Appu Ghar and Oysters

Miles away from Delhi, when I was in school...mere thought of going to Appu Ghar used to twin up my hair in excitement. The day couldn't have been better mythologically... it was the birthday of Maryada Purshottam Rama.

It was a perfect day.. bright and sunny. When 45 odd kids queued up for an entry to Appu Ghar this Tuesday, it was a day when the gap was bridged between haves and have not. Spectators were surprised, happy, disgusted... there were all kind of emotions around.

It was certainly a unique sight when KHOJ-kids shrugged shoulder with rich fat kids, when they rushed to grab a tube or win a seat of aride from there rich counterparts. Bhoot bangla, Bumpercars, Columbus, Fair Lady to name a few but kids ensured they didn't miss out any ride. When they were hungry there was always something to gobble around apart from delicious lunch. They understood a new meaning of dancing in rain when they entered Oysters. When kids jumped into the water..it was an amalgam of an unique kind.

Kids had an experience which they are going to cherish for long. It's imperative that volunteers couldn't have enjoyed less when kids were having so much fun. Altogether the trip was well planned and executed. Thanks for everyone who was behind it.

- Sanjeev ( 2020 )

Educational Trip to Science Museum and Bal Bhawan

They Came....They Saw...... and they conquered.

It was perfect bright sunny day. Jan 13th (Saturday) was one of the most exciting and learning day for kids as well as for volunteers. While volunteers struggled hard to cope up the inquisitive kids and keep their excitement in control the kids were happy to see the colorful world they were unaware of.

Kids ran in all four direction in the museum just to ensure that they don't miss out anything. Volunteers felt that they have brought the kids to a factory of knowledge and information. Jurassic Park, Mirror Maze, Xylophone, Printing Press, Post Office, TV Station to name a few were prime attraction for them and they didn't hesitate to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Inquilab Zindabad' when they passed models of Parliament and Red Fort. Zubair was found busy delivering a small lecture in whatever they saw.

Later in the noon the carnival moved Bal Bhawan lawns where kids enjoyed delicious Puri-Sabzi-Choley- Paratha. Thanks to the people behind in making them. To our surprise, no one was found drowsing after having such a nice meal instead a new energy was visible among kids and volunteers. Songs,Jokes, Sprint,Dance, Tug-of-War everything was experimented but this was just a beginning as DJ- Ritesh was yet to strike when everyone assembled on the Bal Bhawan's amphitheater. Gradually stage was set and everyone danced to their heart, even experimenting with some salsa moves. Once exhausted they were served with Fruity-Samosas- Sweets- Bananas- Chocolates. Kids also enjoyed the glimpse of rabbits and pigeons.

By evening the bus started moving back to its destination while kids sang songs and shayaris. Suddenly couple of volunteers realized that it's Lohri when they saw bonfire and heard Dhols at Dilli Haat. Nothing could stop their zeal as they jumped in and started dancing after having some coffee. They later realized that they were covered by S1 and NDTV when they returned home :-)

- Sanjeev (2020)

Khoj Picnic to Zoo

On Sunday - 12th November, 17 kids from the two centres of Khoj viz. BerSarai and Dilli Haat went for a picnic to Delhi Zoo. They were accompanied by about 10-12 regular Khoj volunteers plus a group of young people that approached Khoj through Orkut.

All through the day excitement and exuberance were seen in kids and adults in equal amounts. Kids were overjoyed on watching the different animals and beautiful birds there. Their curiosity went beyond bounds and they asked a number of questions from the adults accompanying them.

The patience and mannerism exhibited by the kids was really commendable. After spending good 2.5 hrs in the zoo the entire group went to the Purana quila lawns and had lunch there. Thanks to Dr. Rohan for delicious and mouth savouring home cooked food.

The day ended with lots of mouth watering sweets and loads of sweet memories for all.

Cheers…
Deepika

Achievements

1. Regularity amongst children
2. Hygiene awareness amongst children
3. Recognition, decoding, and construction of
words by children (both oral and written)
4. A good learning and sharing relationship
between the children and the gardner of
the Dilli Haat park
5. Acknowledgment of our work by the
residents around the park and their
changing attitudes toward these children
as a result

Our means of generating resources

1. Money generated by selling old newspapers and
other general waste from houses and institutions
2. Individual and group donations in the form of
money and resources

People and organizations supporting us

• GOONJ - An NGO
• AID - Delhi
• Ms. Keerti Jayaram - Lecturer in D.U.
• Mr. Amit Sinha - Jamghat

Our team

Anwesha
Pawan
Ritesh
Santosh
Shikha
Zubair


& waiting for you.

Your feedback is crucial

E MAIL: - SFCKHOJ@YAHOO.CO.IN
or

Contact :-
PAWAN SHARMA : 9810406998