Poster Competition on World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day (December 1st) SOSVA conducted a poster making competition for students across colleges in Mumbai. Through this poster competition, SOSVA intended to:
Increase knowledge about HIV and AIDS among students in Colleges.
Propagate the message that HIV infections can happen to anyone.
Spread the message that treatment, prevention, care and support is everybody's right
Address the stigmatization that HIV/AIDS entail for people in India and create a band of young propagators, who will spread the message of positivism and acceptance.

The participating colleges were:
1) SIES College-Nerul
2) IES College- Bandra
3) L.S Raheja college of Applied Art –Bandra
4) H.K College- Jogeshwari
5) Bhavans College- Andheri
6) SVT college Juhu

There were close to 125 entries received, on the following themes:

1) Let AIDS not divide us
2) Treat AIDS – Save Lives
3) HIV Positives have a Right to Live
4) Stigma Kills – Kill the Stigma
5) Ignorance Kills – Get Educated about AIDS
6) HIV positives have a right to get treated

The judging took place on 2nd December at the Petit Municipal School Hall, where the posters were displayed for the judges to evaluate.
Ms. Kalyani Orpe, Ms. Amrita Bhende and Mr. Sunil Chavan judged the posters on the following criteria:

1)Originality
2)Creativity
3)Composition in relevance to the theme
4)Over–all visual impact


The winners were:
1) Shakambri Soni: SIES Nerul
2) Archana Agrawal: SVT College
3) Tejas Wadke: L.S Raheja College


The winning entries received prizes worth Rs. 5000, 2500 and 1000 respectively and all the participants received certificates and T-Shirts.

Volunteer Day

Recognizing the power of volunteerism, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year 2001 as International Year of Volunteers. Since then, 5th is celebrated world over as the International Volunteer Day with its main objectives of increased recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering.

On the eve of World Volunteers Day, SOSVA organized an Annual Volunteer Meet.

SOSVA has been celebrating this event since last few years, giving opportunity to volunteers to interact and share their experience. This year we took the program to a new level and discussed the various trends in Volunteering. Apart from our volunteers, we invited speakers from the corporate sector and academia to discuss new dimensions that volunteering entails.

Mr. Jayaraman Iyer , (Ex CMD SHCIL), Mr. R. S Surve. Secretary Shri Ambika Arogya Yog Kutir, Mrs. Jyoti Gandhi- Former Head, Dept. of Biotechnology, National College graced the occasion and had a panel discussion on “Emerging trends in Volunteering: Role and Utilization of Volunteers”. Mr. Ernest Fernandes , noted Bandra citizen moderated the discussions.

The crux of the discussion was that if we want a nation where volunteering is an inherent part of our culture then we need to start young and introduce children to the joy of volunteering form school itself.

Children from the NGO’s- Sparsh and Skills and Ability School, Nerul staged a cultural program for the audience.

Be there!

Society for Service to Voluntary Agencies (SOSVA)
cordially invites you to celebrate the Joy of volunteering on the occasion of

WORLD VOLUNTEER DAY-2010


Venue:

M.S Subbalakshmi Auditorium, Bhaudaji Road Extension, Next to Punjab Association Hall, Near Kings Circle Station, Matunga-E

Day, Date & Time:

Saturday, 4th December, 2010 at 1:00 p.m


Tentative Program Flow:

World Volunteer Day Celebration - 4th December, 2010


1.00 pm – 2.00 pm - Assembly and Lunch


2.00 pm – 2. 05 pm - Welcome Address by Radha Vedantam, Director – Volact, SOSVA

2.05 pm – 2. 35 pm - Cultural Programme

2. 35 pm – 2.45 pm - Keynote Address by Mr. Ananthraman Mahadevan, Chief Executive, SOSVA

2.45 pm – 3.30 pm - Panel Discussion : Emerging trends in Volunteering : Role and Utilization of volunteers

Panellists


1. A corporate Speaker

2. Academia

3. Volunteer Speaker

4. Volunteer Speaker

5. Media Speaker


3.30 pm – 4.00 pm - Q&A and Experience Sharing

4.00 pm- 4. 25 pm - Certificate Distribution ceremony

4.25 pm - Vote of Thanks



RSVP: SOSVA
Tel: 2655 5704, 2641 1205

E-mail: sosva@hotmail.com, volact@hotmail.com

Kindly let us know if you can make it to the function.

Children's Day Celebrations

A child's home environment and the toys they play with influence their educational development. Play is as important as is formal education.Play gives children fun and joy, develops a child's personality, helps them realise their potential and experience the satisfaction of success. It opens up a whole new world of creativity and imagination and helps develop speech, reading, thinking, problem solving and fine motor skills. Toys are an integral part a child’s learning process and a variety of well chosen toys helps a child's personality development. Toys lay the groundwork for language, reading, mathematical, scientific and physical skills. And perhaps more importantly helps children in their social and emotional development.

SOSVA has constantly endeavored to reach out to those children for whom Toys are nothing but a distant dream.

This year to celebrate Children’s day, SOSVA in consultation with the volunteers decided to conduct a Toy Donation drive across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The focus was on Educational Toys and Aids and toys which will aid in the development of the children. There was an option of donating either Toys-old (but in good condition) and new or to donate in cash. NGO’s were identified where toy libraries could be set up or existing ones strengthened.

The response was overwhelming and people donated in cash and in kind.This would not have been possible without the support and faith of our volunteers.

SOSVA conducted two events to commemorate Children’s Day, one at Children Of the World, Nerul and the other at SHED-Dharavi and the toys were distributed to these two NGOs, bringing cheer and fun into the lives of these kids.
Thank you Volunteers...This would not have been possible without you.

Annual Memorial Address in honour of Late Dr. (Mrs.) Mabelle Arole

As you may be aware, SOSVA (Society for Service to Voluntary Agencies) has instituted an Annual Memorial Address in honour of Padmabhushan and Magsaysay Awardee Late Dr. (Mrs.) Mabelle Arole who passed away in Jamkhed on 27th September, 1999.

This year Dr. Anant Pandhare, Medical Director of Dr. Hedgewar Hospital & Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vaidyakiya Pratishthan, Aurangabad has kindly agreed to give us an insight into the various programs undertaken by the Pratishthan on an unique preventive health care model, complementary & supplementary education, sanitation & hygiene, vocational guidance etc for the support and empowerment of children, adolescent girls, women and other underprivileged sections of the community in and around Marathwada.

The Memorial Address “Beyond Health Care – Hospital With A Vision”, will be delivered at Walchand Hirachand Hall, Indian Merchants’ Chamber, IMC Marg, Opp. Churchgate Station, Mumbai – 400020, on Saturday, 23rd October, 2010 at 4.00 p.m.

I hope you will be able to make it convenient to attend and grace the function.

Thank you for your goodwill and support.

Yours sincerely,


M. Anantharaman
Governing Council Member and Hon. Chief Executive – SOSVA
=================================
Society for Service to Voluntary Agencies,
Room No. 2 & 3, Petit Municipal School,
Opp. Bhabha Hospital, R. K. Patkar Marg,
Bandra West, Mumbai – 400 050
Call – 91 – 022 – 2641 1205, 2655 5704
Website – http://www.sosva.org
Blog - http://volact.blogspot.com
Email Id – sosva@hotmail.com

DO GOOD Program - Notebook Drive 2010

The notebook drive for 2010 was indeed more than successful...thanks to the generosity of the donors. SOSVA was able to meet the requirements of the NGOs for whom the drive was initiated...It was indeed a pleasure to see the happy faces of the students who received the notebooks...Here are some pictures of the notebooks distribution at some of the NGOs. Thank you once again donors..We hope that next year we will be in a position to cater to more NGOs.

Distribution at Vidya, Powai and Janvi, Saki Naka

World Environment Day

World Environment Day on 5th June this year, was celebrated with our volunteers in Maharashtra Nature Park. The volunteers enjoyed the trail with tips on urban gardening and vermin composting.

Press Coverage

Here is a scanned copy of the article in Hindustan Times regarding some of our volunteers...Three cheers to them

NoteBook Drive...Please Donate Generously

SOSVA – VOLACT (“Society for Service to Voluntary Agencies") is organizing a

“Notebook Donation Drive” in Mumbai
(Notebooks for the underprivileged school-going Children)
Date 15th April 2010 to 30th May 2010

Millions of children in India work!!!
One of the root-causes of CHILD-LABOUR is Lack of Education
How can YOU play a crucial role to ERADICATE IT???
JUST Donate 100 pages Single line Notebooks
Only Notebooks NO Cash Or Cheque

To Help - We have organized various centers across Mumbai where you can donate and contribute to the noble cause.

“Education is a HUMAN RIGHT with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstone’s of freedom and democracy” -Kofi Anan

Do not hesitate to contact Further Clarification

Contact
022-26555704
022-26411205
Email Id: volact@hotmail.com, www.sosva.org

Give us a call and tell us you are interested!

Drop In Centers

Powai

Sandhya Srinivasan

2203 Glen Heights

Hiranandani Gardens

Powai

Tel: 9820098175

Dadar

Balchandra Ramchandra Godbole,

3/37, Ahmed Sailors Bldg.

J.P.Road, Naigaum

Dadar (East) Mumbai

Tel : 9930445098

Thane

Sujata Vaidya ,

C-208, Har Har Mahadeo

Patilwadi Panchpakhadi ,

Thane (West) Mumbai

Tel: 9967216210 / 25414655

Andheri

Kamala Ruparel

605/606,

Prathamesh complex,

Spectra Veera desai Road,

Andheri (West) Mumbai

Tel: 26764673/ 9821042821

Chembur

Radha

Uttam Society, 4^th Floor,

Sada Bahar,

Chembur (East) Mumbai

Tel: 25218773

Nerul

Sharmila Rai Jain

Bcottageland CHSL,Sec 19 A, Nerul, Navi Mumbai

Telephone

27700964

Bandra

SOSVA

Room no 2 &3 Ground Floor

Petit Municipal school

Opposite Bhabha Hospital

Bandra (West) Mumbai

Tel: 26555704, 26411205

Thank You Group M

Just as promised here's an update on Group M activities on their CSR Day

1.Shepherd Widows' Home - Byculla - Old age home

13 volunteers visited the centre. There were 25 residents who had a great time singing old songs, bhajans and carols. Antakshri competition was held. Gifts were given to all the inmates and the in-house staff. The inmates and the volunteers lunched together. It was an enjoyable day for all concerned.

2.Sparsha- Sion Koliwada, Community based programme

18 volunteers had fun with the 100 children from the community. Drawing competition was organized keeping Holi as the theme. The volunteers helped the children with ideas. Three Prizes were given for creativity. One of the volunteers played the guitar and the children accompanied the volunteer, singing songs. Snacks were served to all the children.

3.Kamla Mehta - Home for Visually Challenged Girls, Dadar

28 volunteers visited the organization. 150 students took part in antakshri competition in groups of 15. The girls enthralled the gathering with their melodious voices. Not to forget the perfect orchestra (keyboard,tabla,dholak ) played by the visually challenged girls. The volunteers gave away goody bags, T-shirts, cups to all followed, followed by . Snacks were served.

4.Kalyandeep - Special School for mentally challenged children.

11 volunteers visited the school.There were around 60 children out of which 35 participated in the drawing competition.The volunteers mentored the children. The volunteers interacted with the children and had a blast.

5. SHED- Dharavi

Around 20 volunteers visited the centre.The children were divided into groups and they were given T-shirts to paint on. 100 children participated in the competition. activity.

International Womens Day

SOSVA acknowledges with gratitude the contribution of all its Women Volunteers on this day. May the Spirit of Service spread!

Group M initiative

Group M employees celebrated their worldwide CSR Day on 26th February volunteering at various NGOs. One such activity was at Vidya, an NGO which functions in the premises of IIT Mumbai in Powai.

The children from the nearby slums who attend Vidya had a blast playing football, cricket and other games ...including kabaddi....with the volunteers. Then of course the event ended with the participants enjoying snacks. The kids all received a gift and went home smiling! Here are some pics of the event. We will update you soon on what Group M volunteers did at various other NGOs shortly.

A Tata Initiative - Giving Hope to the Children

On 26th January 2010, an elocution competition was organized at Janvi Trust as a feature of Hope Activity. 20 children participated. Prizes were given to best three speakers.Tata Interactive distributed educational kits comprising school bags, lunch box, water bottle etc., to all the 50 children. Tata salts gifted drawing books, colours etc., to the children.

A Dream Run

For the Mumbai Marathon our dedicated volunteers were there in high spirits ready to run for SOSVA. They were a contingent of 10 volunteers...seven for the dream run and three for half marathon.

SOSVA has run for three years now. In the coming years we expect the number of participants to increase and are sure that the volunteers will come out in full strength in support of SOSVA.

Kudos and many thanks to the volunteers who put SOSVA on the mumbai marathon map.

Sachin Patel (Half marathon)
Devendra Kamble(Half marathon)
Amey Thakur(Half marathon)
Jyoti Shah ( Dream Run)
Sakina Gadiwala( Dream Run)
Ashsih Ambasta( Dream Run)
Sakshi Chadha( Dream Run)
Girish Kaimal( Dream Run)
Debashish Kotoky( Dream Run)
Meenakshi Phukan( Dream Run)

A Tata Chemicals Limited initiative

HOPE activity, is primarily a CSR initiative by Tata Chemicals in partnership with SOSVA.

It is held twice a month at Janvi Chartiable Trust,Saki Naka.The TCL employees take sessions for 50 children in the community. Topics like health and hygiene, examination tips, effects of junk food,seasons vegetable,fruits,environment,personal hygience are taken up and implemented through games,puppet shows,group activity,slide shows and short films.

Also,TCL has initiated a library for the children. A three day workshop on Art of Living for the children at TCL office was held.In their last session a fun activity was put up by an international group named Clowns without Borders for the children.