Akman Baby Shower — Surel Village Childcare Center

A Lasting Impact for Surel Village!

Congratulations! Your project has been completed! We've heard from SEWA, our partner on the ground in Surel Village, with some great news about the lasting impact of your project.

Poonam Shroff, our contact with SEWA, writes;

"Through the support of citizen effect we received funding for a child care centre in this village for 1 year. As a result of this support 40-45 children were able to attend the child care centre regularly. This not only led to improvement in the educational skills of the children but also improved their physical and mental abilities. The children were given different puzzles and toys which can help in improving their abilities. The children were also given nutritious food – both snacks and lunch in the child care centre. A medical check-up for the kids was also done twice in the year. On the basis of this medical check-up it was found out that five kids were very weak and had Vitamin C deficiency. Special care was taken for these children at the child care centre. Also meetings were done with their parents and they were also explained on how to take proper care of these children.

In all there are 40 children attending the child care centre. As a result of this child care centre 90% of the mothers were able to work during the day and have started earning an income of Rs. 1500-1800 per month,"

Click "read more" below to find out more about the lasting impact of your project for the people of Surel Village.

What's Your Calling? Some thoughts on mine...

A few months ago, I was invited by a friend to participate in a multimedia program called, "What's Your Calling?" I was intrigued by the question because I wondered if I had one. I think of people having callings from a young age. I have spoken with many dedicated people who say, "I wanted to be a doctor ever since I can remember." I wanted to play second base for the Chicago Cubs since I was 3, but clearly that calling was never answered. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had a calling, but it took me a long time to hear it. You can watch my "What's My Calling?" video below, but since it was recorded, I have had some more thoughts I would like the share below.

Welcome to my project

Hi everyone!

I know we have yet to meet but I appreciate you coming to my shower! I am looking forward to all the cool swag but I have had a lot of time to think these last few months and there is so much more to life than material goods. So, I have decided to partnered with Surel Village and help them fund their childcare center. I know education is going to be critical to my life and I want to make sure the kids of Surel have some of the same advantages. The center will support the development and growth of 25 village children and bring 2 full-time teaching jobs to the village. Which is pretty darn cool!

And, while I hate to admit it, I am a mama's boy ... and that is why I love this childcare center! Providing care for these kids means that their mom's have time to work and earn an income. When a mom can work, she saves the money for the kids higher education or start's a small business. That is SUPER cool!

So can you help me out? Let's raise $1,100 to get this childcare facility rolling and help Surel build a more self-reliant and sustainable community.

Please read more!