News from Raigad District - Reasons to Rejoice

BLOOMING beauties of our Tribal world - A hidden treasure to be acknowledged and groomed. Our Katkari children continue to bloom as we put in our efforts through education and healthcare. A short interview was carried out to evaluate the performance of our children in the high school. In an interview with Sr. Kochu Theresia, the hostel-in-charge at Roha,
Snehavardhini, she was extremely happy to share that during the academic year 2008-09, Manisha passed the 10th with 51 %. There was great joy as sister shared with pride about Manisha's achievements. What future plans for Manisha? ……she is keen to pursue a two year course in Agriculture. It is very encouraging for us to consider all the struggles that she has gone through to achieve these results, as we ourselves continue our struggle to inculcate the value and importance of education among our children. It is also heartening to note that this year 30 girls have enrolled in classes' 2 to 9.

From Mahad, Jankalyan, Deepak shared their joy as 7 boys passed their 10th std and will now be doing their junior college studies. His joy knew no bounds when he received this news. One of their senior students has enrolled for his graduation studies. Another boy has completed his B.Sc.and has now enrolled to do his MBA. Though these boys are not Katkaris, they too are tribal boys. These boys are an inspiration and are role models for the ones following them. Hats off to these boys and we wish them God's blessings. We also extend our appreciation to Fr. Carlton and to the dedicated staff at Jankalyan.Trust.

Last year 112 students were enrolled and this year there are 117 students.

From Mahad, Sr. Silvy from Jivan Vikas Kendra gave us an over view of their boarding program. Last year out of the 101 admissions 73 girls persevered till the end. This academic year, 2009-10 they have 72 girl students - one is in 10th std, six in 9th and five in 8th. They are all very hopeful of the future.

Sr. Surekha from Amardeep, Mangaon expresses her happiness as she exclaims - 'Thank God all the old girls have passed and there are no drop outs this year from the last batch'. This year i.e. 2009-10 there are 43 girls out of which three are in 8th std. and one is in the 12th. Rukmila Wagmare who was in the Little Angels English Medium School for her preschool passed with 96 % and has gone to the 1st std. in the Shradha English Medium School. It is a challenge for her as well as for us to see that she does well in her studies.

We experience great joy as the number of girls is slowly rising in all the boarding's.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE KATKARIS