Monthly Archive for February, 2011

Assisi Bhavan - February 20, 2011

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roshni
on February 25, 2011
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Revisiting Assissi Bhavan

It is amazing to see a thought being transformed into reality. As per our new way of holding events, Kshana had its second visit at the Goregaon-based old-age home on February 20, 2011. Remember we had set out this year to make a sustainable difference in someone’s life and mind you, it’s not the easiest task.

We had to think a lot on the activities that will avoid a repetition and add value to their lives, at the same time. Also the biggest challenge was their physical ability and mental willingness to participate. However, our plus point was the fact that we had already held an event there and pretty much knew what their likes and dislikes were. So we set out to hold a game and a value adding session with them.

We decided to play ‘Passing the Parcel’ but with a twist, instead of eliminations we granted them a wish every time their turn came. This was one of the few practically possible games and the twist helped us infuse some positivity there. The response was first-class. They sang songs and poems, jived, did a garba and even shared anecdotes that got us all hooked. This helped us start the next activity; the mood was brilliantly set for some more delight.

For the second activity, we planned a Laughter Therapy Session by Mr. Atmaram Torane, a laughter enthusiast who obliged to our request in the very first call. After a brief introduction and information about how it helps us stay younger and healthier, Mr. Torane infected us with some wholehearted, jaw-aching laughter. His simple yet innovative ways of laughing were very effective and engaging. Some laughs were merely objective while others had a deeper meaning to it. He charmingly got all the volunteers involved which elevated the mood.

As dinnertime approached, the residents were then treated to some yummy Upma and Frooti before we could bid our farewells.

Whether it was witty Maggie Nanny or the enthusiastic 90-year-old Angie Aunty or the talented and handsome Jeffry or any of the other smiling faces; Assissi Bhavan remains a special place from where we always return with our hearts filled with hope and a bag full of enthusiasm.

Assisi Bhavan - January 29, 2011

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roshni
on February 25, 2011
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Making it special at Assisi Bhavan

On a sunny Saturday morning, the Kshana-ites made their way to Assisi Bhavan which is a home for the aged, tucked away in the green and breezy by lanes of Goregoan east. The very first thing that we noticed about this beautiful place was that it radiated a soothing feeling of peace. We were greeted by many curious faces that had 10 different questions running through their minds. We wasted no time in introducing ourselves and having a quick chat with everyone present. We explained to them that our aim of coming to Assisi Bhavan was not just to entertain them but also leave them with something that would benefit them in the long term.

True to our point, we had arranged for a yoga session for the residents of Assisi Bhavan. Mrs. Varsha Thakkar who has been teaching yoga for over 17 years now, was more than happy to conduct the session with them. She conducted a one hour session where she demonstrated different yoga ‘asanas’ and postures and highlighted how each one of them would benefit and help them to live a happy and healthy life. By this time all the Kshana-ites had mingled with the residents and were helping them to practice the asanas and were also practicing themselves! :P The session ended with a ‘question and answer round’ where the inmates were encouraged to ask questions and Mrs. Thakkar answered all their queries.

Then we started with something that the residents of Assisi Bhavan enjoy immensely — a game of HOUSIE! Tickets were distributed. The categories for the prizes were announced. And then began the – ‘Housie Fever’!

Waiting anxiously, for the next number to be called out; hoping, it is the number that you have on your housie ticket; shouting out the numbers that you need – LOUDLY; the compere, making lame number jokes; praying anxiously to get that one number to win the ‘Full House’; the ‘Oh no’ when someone wins; and the happiness and excitement on the winner’s face.

Everyone was hit by the ‘Housie Fever’!

After the ‘Housie Fever’ it was time to be hit by the dancing bug. Enthusiastic aunties and uncles held hands with Kshana-ites and took over the dance floor! They taught the Kshana-ites a thing or two about dancing. Classic Western songs reverberated in the room and there was a smile on everyone’s face as they danced away to some peppy numbers.

The residents are a bunch of lively people. One aunty came forward and recited a poem called ‘Smile’. While another bunch of them sang a lovely duet. One of them simply chose to hum a song and dance with the Kshana-ites. It felt like we were one happy group of people having fun on a camp fire night!

We served delicious Idlis with Chutney which was followed by a glass of ‘chaas’. We also distributed the gifts to the Housie prize winners. We dropped everyone to their rooms and said our goodbyes.

The evening ended with a beautiful line said by Aunt Maggi (one of the residents) – ‘Love little, but love long’ :)

Aadhar Home - February 13, 2011

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roshni
on February 17, 2011
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We walked into Aadhar Home, Borivli on February 13, 2011, only to be greeted with toothy smiles of some of the residents. The rest were slowly making their way to the hall, where we would be spending the evening with them.

Aadhar Home houses about 100 senior citizens, who were happy, and chatted with us about everything under the sun until it was time to start.

Once everyone settled down, we handed Housie tickets to each resident and made sure our volunteers were with them, to help detect their lucky numbers. With much enthusiasm, they waited to cross out numbers on their tickets to claim, jaldi five, four corners, any of the three lines and a full house.

We were requested to call out the numbers in Hindi, Gujarati and English for everyone’s benefit; which also made us realise our lack of knowledge on them!

After the first full house, they just wanted us to hold a second one, so we went on until one more resident claimed it. The joy on their faces was absolutely lovely. Each winner was smiling, holding on to their tickets with so much pride!

Then we had members of the Borivli Laughter Club to hold a laughter therapy session. They taught us that a simple thing like sharing a smile or making someone laugh can cure you of a number of illnesses. They went on to teach the residents a few laughter therapy exercises that they could practice whenever they want. All the Kshana volunteers and member joined in too — was quite a sight to see.

The laughter session was followed by the residents coming up on stage and dancing to the music. A very energetic bunch of people they were indeed. This was followed by platefuls of idlis with chutney and a glass of Frooti for each of them. They relished every bite and thanked us. They posed with us for pictures and laughed at our silly antics. Some of them got talking to us, and wanted us back real soon.

We told them we wanted to be back soon!