Finale to The Marathon- Thank You

Double click Image for larger view

Festival of Holi celebrated at Kripa Imphal with YAOSANG SPORTS MEET

Double click image for larger view

Holi Festival One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. Holi festival may be celebrated with various names and people of different states might be following different traditions. people light a bonfire, called Holika on the eve of Holi festival and celebrate the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion to god. Children take special delight in the tradition and this has another legend attached to it But, what makes Holi so unique and special is the spirit of it which remains the same throughout the country and even across the globe, wherever it is celebrated.

Holi at Kripa Imphal was celebrated in a grand way by organising "YAOSANG SPORTS MEET" with the theme SPORTS WITHOUT DRUGS. from 19th March to 24th March 2011. Various competitions in the field of Arm wrestling, Carom, & Chess were held. the highlight being fun games like Musical chairs, Blind hit, Paper dance & Spot dancing. The event was a grand success and ended on a joyful note.

Submitted by

Ms. Kshetrimayumi Jibanmala Devi

Kripa Imphal

25 years of Narcotics Control Bureau -Mumbai Celebration

Double click image for larger view

The Narcotics Control Bureau celebrated their 25th Anniversary by organizing an ‘Awareness run against drug abuse’ on 27th March, 2011, Sunday from NCPA to Police Gymkhana, Mumbai. Many participants from Kripa took part along with NCC cadets, RAF personnel, another NGO etc. in the 2.5 kms. run. The event was flagged off by top officials of the Bureau and celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan. The Run was followed by a symposium organized at the Police Gymkhana by the NCB where Dr. S. Menon of Kripa Foundation spoke on the ‘Harmful effects of substance abuse on individuals’.

Submitted by

Ms. Krishna Iyer

&

Mr. Brett Rodricks

Kripa Bandra

Annoucement of Award for Tobacco Control

Doble click image for larger view

Dear Kripa Family and Friends
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation and Announces Tobacco Control Awards Prevention, protection and planning for a brighter future!
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is a non-profit initiative created to support enterprising individuals and innovative organisations. Its goal is to promote excellence among individuals, improve the quality of life for those living on the edges of the society, and to protect and promote traditional culture and art forms.
A cause that we, at the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, are strongly committed to is tobacco control. As part of our commitment to this work, we are pleased to announce the second edition of the Tobacco Control Awards.

The awards are presented in two forms:
Grant for NGOs — An amount of Rs. 5 lakh awarded to non-profit organisations doing excellent work in the field of tobacco control. The focus is on organisations working in rural and small town areas (population less than 1 million). A maximum of five grants will be awarded to deserving organisations.

Award for Individuals — Awarded to individuals, who have made their mark in the area of tobacco control. Individuals will receive a cash reward of Rs. 1 lakh with up to five individuals awarded.

Please visit http://www.nsfoundation.co.in/ for entry forms and more details on the application process.

Please hurry, as applications will close on April 22, 2011.
In partnership, we can provide for a tobacco-free future!

As submitted by
Neelima D'silva Dalvi
Project Co-ordinator- Health
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
102 - Maker Chambers III, 10th Floor,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021
Ph: 022 -22824589/22828502 Etn: 113
http://www.nsfoundation.co.in/

NEWSDESK

Kripa needs you as a Volunteer.....for the children in Dharavi

Double click image for larger view

Dear Friends and Benefactors,
We at the Kripa Drop in Center, at DHARAVI, MUMBAI for street children are grateful for your support and prayers for the little ones. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide food, shelter, clothing, basic literacy and value education for the boys and hope to see each of them grow into individuals who have broken free from the shackles of the past and are confident and contributing members to society.
We are looking for volunteers who can commit to

* Coming on weekdays between 04:00-07:00 P.M. and playing outdoor games with the children. It is not necessary for the volunteer to come in every day of the week. Even if you can commit to being there once or twice a month, it would be a great blessing to our boys.
* Visiting the children on Sundays and taking them on outings/ picnics, along with a staff member. Alternately, one could even visit the children at the Center and spend time with them, do craft or play outdoor games with them.
Please send in your responses to :-
muriella_dsilva@hotmail.com
or
kripamtmary@yahoo.co.uk

stating your name, address, contact number, the slot you can commit to and the activity you intend carrying out. Volunteers will go through a screening process after which they will be briefed with respect to our child protection policies.
We look forward to hearing from you!

God Bless
Fr Joe Pereira
Founder Managing Trustee

Kripa Participates at 25 years of Narcotic Control Bureau

Double click image for larger view

To mark the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), a “Run Against Drugs” was organized from Vigyan Bhavan to India gate, on the 17th March 2011. Shri Chidambaram, Hon'ble Home Minister graced the occasion with his presence at the flag off. The run was organized by Mrs. Sunita Godhara, winner of the Gold medal for the women’s marathon in 1992. The event was well attended by students from many schools and colleges. The participants of the current 3-month NISD training program joined in to support the cause. Jimi Amore of Kripa Mumbai participated at the rally.

News Desk

Request for Prayers

Double click image for larger view

Ex- patient get together of kripa Goa

Double click image for larger view

The annual get together for ex-patients, their families and well wishers was organized at Kripa Foundation Anjuna, Goa on 27th February 2011. The Chief guest at the function was Mr. Vishal Agarwal of Indus Health Care Centre, Mr. Joseph chairman of AA Inter group Goa and many members from the AA fellowship of Goa. Some of the ex-patients & AA members shared their experiences and motivated patients who were presently undergoing treatment.

Entertainment programs which included a song fiesta by ex - patient Willy on his mouth organ and guitar, a magic show and games of musical chairs and tambola were played, for which prizes were distributed to the winners. The attraction of the function was a dazzling performance by world renowned musician Remo Fernandes, who entertained the crowd with special konkani songs. .The get- together ended with a sumptous lunch after which the gathering dispersed in a joyous mood, looking forward to be there the next year. The program was well organised under the leadership of Mrs. Pamela D'Costa the Program Co-ordinator and the staff of Goa.

Submitted by

Ms Ria & Mahendra

Kripa Goa

Fr. Joe Chief Guest at 25 years of AA group- Vasai

Double click image for larger view

After conducting a marathon whole night session at a night vigil in Mumbai , Fr Joe immediately rushed down to Vasai.

The AA Inter group of Manickpur, Vasai, by the name ‘Sanmarg A.A. Group’ celebrated its 25th Anniversary amidst members, recovering alcoholics and their families and well-wishers. Fr. Joe Pereira, the chief guest was also invited as a key speaker,who spoke on Relapse Prevention. Mrs. Anuradha Karkare, Project co ordinator- Kripa Pune gave an interesting talk on Co-Dependency and Family Support System.
Speeches on Addiction, Recovery, Sobriety were also given by other members of the Inter group.
Submitted by

Mozen H.

Kripa Vasai

Fr. Joe conducts a night vigil for AA.

Double click Image for larger view

Fr Joe was invited to Smile of Sobriety AA group as the key speaker for a night vigil at Andheri. in Mumbai.The theme for this vigil which concluded the next morning was "AA Fidelity- A Spiritual Journey" with topics like " A journey from Admssion to Acceptance", Faith Factor, and Practicing the 11th step. The other speakers for the vigil were Dr Rajiv Jeerajani who spoke on Medical aspect of recovery & well being, and Dr. Anand Choudhary who spoke on- The essence of rehabilitation and recovery.

Each session ended with a question & answer session. There was a attendance of over 200 hundred members, who were happy to be enriched from Fr Joe's sessions to live a better quality life of sobriety, One day at a time.

Newsdesk.

A new hope of life.......for Rahul

Double click image for larger view

My name is Rahul Bharadwaj and I was born in a small town in Firozabad, Utter Pradesh. I am told that I lost my mother when I was one month old and my father when I was five. I was looked after by my paternal grandparents. I was very young when they expired. I was then looked after by my paternal uncle and aunt, who were very rude to me and ill- treated me and even beat me up very badly. I am a victim of polio and yet although physically challenged, even as a child, I was made to work in a glass article manufacturing company instead of going to school. My earnings were all taken away by my uncle. I was always beaten and ill-treated by my cousin and eventually I ran away from there and went to Delhi where I worked in a small roadside hotel (dhabba) in Chandini Chowk. I learnt to save and in the year 2010 I heard from people and movies I saw, I dreamt of going to Mumbai and make it big.

While in the train to Mumbai I heard that they were checking at Dadar station for runaways and so I got off at Bandra. I was very fascinated to see a big city and was day dreaming as to becoming rich like in the Bollywood films. By evening I had nowhere to go and landed at Mount Mary’s Basilica, Bandra. There I managed to meet a Mr. Michael who sells religious items and candles and he offered me a place to sleep in his roadside stall and gave me a job in his shop, where I am at present.


While at the shop I used to see a priest coming and going and always smiling at me as he passed by. I came to know he was Fr. Joe of Kripa Foundation. At the moment he looked at me I felt blessed and when Fr Joe spoke to me one day and asked if I wanted to study I just smiled. He got me a admission in Mount Carmel’s Night School. As I was sleeping on the roadside, he spoke to Brother Bosco from Mary’s Clan, who offered me a place to stay at the Clan. I can see Mother Mary listening to my prayers. I have a place to stay, a chance to study and a small job to earn something.

Today, although I miss my parents, I feel I have Fr Joe & Brother Bosco who care so much for me, that every time Fr Joe passes by he will stop to say hello to me. He is so concerned that he keeps a tab on me. I did not go to school one day and he stopped to ask why I had not gone. I was amazed as to how although so occupied with his work yet he keeps a tab on my well being. Just yesterday evening Fr. Joe took me personally in his car to meet an orthopedic surgeon Dr. Antao,who is well known among sportsman. He checked me thoroughly and said I could walk straight with the help of calipers. I felt happy to hear that. I have no words to express my gratitude to Fr Joe.I feel happy and wanting to live, despite my physical challenges and difficulty to travel. I look forward every evening to attending school. Thank You Fr Joe. For all that you do for me.
As spoken to .....Newsdesk

Fr Joe's workshop announcement, Perth, Australia

Double click Image for larger view