‘The Joy in a Box’ to make Christmas memorable for 5,000 Anganwadi students

Mumbai, December 2, 2009: Landmark International Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE) Trust is rolling out a brand new initiative intent on spreading the joy of Christmas across the Anganwadis (pre-primary Government aided nurseries) in Mumbai. ‘The Joy in a box’ aims to collect new, unwrapped educational toys and distribute them among 5,000 Anganwadi children this yuletide season.
 
‘The Joy in a Box’ contribution centres are in place across Mumbai schools, colleges and offices and will collect gifts from the large-hearted folk of Mumbai, for the students. The initiative will culminate with a gala Christmas Party where all the students will be presented the Christmas gifts. LIFE Trust is also planning other exciting elements for the party including a special celebrity Santa which is sure to raise the adrenaline levels of the party.
 
Speaking about the initiative, Mrs. Poonam Lalvani, Managing Trustee, LIFE Trust said, “The concept behind ‘The Joy in a Box’ is to collect educational toys for Anganwadi children in the slums of Bandra and Dharavi. The students in these Anganwadis are often deprived of toys and teaching aids which this initiative will aim to bridge. Together with the fun and excitement that the toys will bring to the children, they will also help in adding to their knowledge and help in getting them school ready.”
 
“Christmas is about the joy of giving and the thrill of receiving. This initiative will enable children unaccustomed to this thrill to experience it. It will simultaneously offer an opportunity to people from all walks of life, to play Santa in a meaningful way. We hope to leave the students with a feeling of hope, which will help them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens” added Mrs. Lalvani.
 
LIFE Trust has reached out to several educational institutions, corporates, toy manufacturers and philanthropists to make this dream a reality. “The idea is to get people from different strata of society, including children from affluent schools, involved in making a positive difference to the lives of children from the Anganwadis. We hope to make the festive season memorable for the Anganwadi children, while creating a long-term association with such young givers and philanthropic individuals from society, to strengthen our cause of making quality education the right of every child in India,” said Mrs Lalvani.
 
LIFE Trust monitors 475 Anganwadis in Bandra and Dharavi slums which cater to 10,000 students and 950 teachers. Earlier this year, LIFE Trust launched its pilot project to impart English Learning Skills to Anganwadi Teachers from the slum areas of Bandra and Dharavi with much success. Together with its team of 2D Animators, LIFE Trust created a unique ‘English DVD’ and trained the teachers on ultra-modern portable DVD players!
 
Another pioneering initiative undertaken by LIFE Trust is the creation of specially designed audio-visual DVDs on key subjects in Hindi and Marathi for class 10 students from BMC schools. These DVDs are used across eight BMC schools, with the objective of bettering academic results. LIFE Trust has also provided for the basic requirements of Digital Classrooms by providing the necessary audio visual equipment, in these schools.
 
LIFE Trust also works closely with the Education Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC) in Mumbai in providing non-formal and creative teaching aids. LIFE Trust undertakes multiple projects for the 49 BMC secondary schools such as Career Counseling, Effective Study Habits, Math Made Easy, English Made Easy, Value Education, Education on Wheels, Chill-Zone, Industrial Trips and Intervention with schools for the Mentally Challenged.
 
‘The Joy in a Box’ initiative will enable every Mumbaikar to play Santa in a spirit that is fitting of this festive season, and bring cheer to thousands of underprivileged children in the process.

About LIFE Trust:
Established in the year 2000 in Chennai, Landmark International Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE) is a registered Public Charitable Trust. With a vision to make ‘school chalo’ the mantra of each child in India, LIFE undertakes several activities for the betterment of the public school education system in India. LIFE has also introduced path breaking initiatives for students with learning disabilities and mentally challenged students.
 
LIFE currently has its presence in Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore and plans to have a pan India presence in the coming years.
 
LIFE’s mission is collaborating and supporting the Public School System along with other agencies and like-minded individuals in improving the quality of education through creative and effective programmes, involving all its stakeholders and the society. In a short span of 5 years LIFE Trust has reached out to over 1 lakh beneficiaries.
For Further Information log on to www.lifetrustindia.org