The Ashoka Tree Blog

A small mistake could have life-threatening consequences. A lot of the unaided play-schools, that The Ashoka Tree works with, don't have designated cooking areas.   Most have not just utensils, but stoves as well, balanced on a bench that just about reaches your knee. This is the average height of any of our 3-year-olds who spend their days playing beside it. # Think   # Help   # Care If you have a table that could help, do get in touch. Text/Call +919633020993.

Down came the heavy rains and along with it came swarms of mosquitoes. Dengue became rampant in the state and children were paying the price. The Ashoka Tree realised that many anganwadis were infested with mosquitoes as they were situated near stagnant ponds or canals. This called for the urgent need to mosquito proof anaganwadis. To raise funds, we invited Ms. Sanaa Ayesha, creator of KIDCHEN, a children's cooking program. More than 20 children whipped up healthy yogurt cupcakes and made cucumber cups with garlic dip. They learnt the importance of prevention of dengue and how garlic and citrus fruits helped ward off those pests. With the money raised, we have mosquito proofed 4 anganwadis. This means more than 50 children are safe from falling sick from mosquito related diseases. This is an ongoing project and welcome funds/ ideas to help combat mosquito problems in play schools. Workshop in progress: Mosquito netting that keeps children safe from diseases lik...

There is a malyalam saying "Thanalekiyavark thanalakaam" which translates to "Shelter the ones who sheltered us" We kicked off our "Joy of Giving" week this October, by honouring the elders and senior citizens of a community in Tripunithura. The occasion was attended by the local councillor who addressed them and distributed a towel and toiletries organised by The Ashoka Tree. They also enjoyed listening to their friends sing old songs while sipping on hot chai.  It was humbling to see them have so much spirit and passion in them even as their bodies are getting old and frail.

The Ashoka Tree has always reached out to anganwadis beyond Kochi. So when we got a request for toys from Shoranur, we were lucky to have donors who were children themselves at the same time. Toys and stationery were collected and donated by the students of  The Choice School  as a part of their leadership program. We are very thankful to Section B students, grade 5 to grade 10 and their mentor Mrs Nalini Subramaniam who made this possible. Their support and faith in us encourages us to do bigger and better things.   Around 180 children in 15 anganwadis benefited from these donations. It was not only lovely to see how the children enjoyed receiving gifts in Shoranur, but also how the Choice School children ran such a good donation drive to make this happen.                                  The toys and books packed and ready to be sent to Shoranur

Today we sent off these toys and stationery kits to Shoranur. Around 180 children in 15 anganwadis will benefit from these. The toys and stationery were collected and donated by the students of  The Choice School  . We are very thankful to Section B students, grade 5 to grade 10 and their mentor Mrs Nalini Subramaniam who made this possible. Their support and faith in us encourages us to do bigger and better things.

International Day of the Girl Child. Get her to read, get her to play - get her to giggle, get her to laugh! Get her to Smile! What can you do today to get her to smile?  # InternationalDayoftheGirlChild   # Girls   # WhoRunTheWorld   # Smile  #TheAshokaTree #Volunteer

India's 'Joy of Giving' Week has so much more than mithai boxes for Diwali this year. At The Ashoka Tree, we are privileged to have worked with Philips India, Chennai, spreading smiles across the faces of nearly 100 children in the Thousand Lights District of Chennai. It's the little things that count.  And face it, one more child with a pencil - is one more child in school. Stay blessed.