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AMBERNATH CENTRE
We began a pre-school education programme
in 1997 at one centre in Ambarnath, 63 km from Mumbai.
Today three centres run a variety of programmes. Most
of the people of the community here are economically
backward migrants from Uttar Pradesh in North India.
Medical Camps : Malaria camps, skin camps
and immunization camps are organized monthly in different
areas according to the need of the locality. About fifty
people are examined each time.
World Population Day : The Kailash Nagar
Centre celebrated World Population Day on 9th July 2003.
The Muslim community is predominant here and families
are large. Awareness programmes are conducted in various
pockets.
Independence Day (15th August): On the
eve of India's independence, children were given the
opportunity to display talents through an Essay and
Drawing Competition. Prizes went to the best.
Nutrition Week: An exhibition during a
"nutrition week" observed in September put
forth the need and importance. A cooking competition
galvanized the women of the community, as also competitions
for Healthy Baby and Healthy Mother. Prizes were awarded.
Children's Day: On the eve of Children's
Day, children got the opportunity to participate in
a fancy dress competition. They were decked out in a
variety of colourful costumes.
Poster Exhibition: To create awareness
among the people and to attempt to remove the stigma
attached to leprosy, a Poster Exhibition on the disease
was conducted on 17th November.
Mahila Mandai: Three Mahila Mandals (over
a hundred members, in all) contribute to the group as
a part of their savings
scheme. They also help organize rallies regarding community
issues. Awareness programmes on health and social issues
are conducted for them.
Christmas celebrations: Children from all
the three centres celebrated Christmas grandly. A Christmas
party was organized and the children participated in
a cultural programme. Gifts were presented to them.
Get-together: The Senior Citizens of the
three centres (65 members, in all) got-together on 17th
December for a party. They participated in the organized
prayer and devotions, cultural programme and games.
They left bearing gifts.
Tailoring Classes: The Ambedkar Nagar centre
in November successfully started tailoring classes for
girls and women of the community. The centre has two
sewing machines; six girls attend regularly.
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