HOPE Foundation School - Bhuj

School Sports Day 2012

2012-01-26T17:15:00.003+05:30

Annual Sports combined with the Indian Republic Day celebration was a great combination for fun, friendship and fellowship. From feeling patriotic during the Flag hoisting, to the fiery spirit in competing for the races to overcoming odds during the obstacle races, it was a wonderful day and treat for all.

Prayer Assembly

Pledge of Allegiance

Running to win

Friends and family having a great time

Roll a Goal

Score a goal

Girl Power

Lemon - Spoon during obstacle race

Blow and burst - obstacle race

Friends having a good time

Children's Day 2011

2011-11-15T21:00:00.003+05:30

The Children's Day was awesome! Every teacher spent time with their respective class and conducted various games for their classes. After this they came together at the amphitheater for a special time. Teachers performed a special dance and song, while few students performed a dance too. Everyone were given a packet of biscuit as a gift as they left for the day.

In fond memory of India's first Prime Minister

All pupils gather at the Amphitheater

Dance routine of the students - Desi Girl song

Teacher's dance routine - Bhumro Bhumro

More Dance

Special Song

The 7th standard students

Summer Camp'11

2011-07-04T15:20:00.006+05:30

As tradition goes, the month of May is when the schools are closed for summer vacation, HOPE foundation school conducts a month long summer camp. Its an exciting period, when children are taught new and interesting skills and have fun as they learn.

A picnic at the Rotary Club's Hill Garden.

Games for boys

All kids having fun at the play area.

Fun under the Sun

Resting after climbing on to the Hill Garden

A bit of friendly banter

Exciting climb on to the Hill Garden

With buddies an exciting trek

Learning from the pros - special pottery designs

Her own hand work

Exiting to finish what was started

In the process of making colourful presentation

Boys will be boys

Initial stages in pottery designing

Learning as a group

Football Focus

Break the bunny game

Age old Snake and the Ladder game

Football tournament

2011-04-04T13:06:00.005+05:30

Though Cricket is the craze in our country at the moment, what with Team India winning the World Cup 2011 and all, yet there is a lot of talent for other sports as well, which is proven by some sporadic yet spectacular performances around the country at times.

In the HOPE foundation school, a 2 week long football tournament league was introduced for the first time. 7 teams took part in this from various Primary classes. On 27^th March 2011, the semi-finals and the final were held. All players were awarded with prizes for participation while the winners and runners-up received trophies and few goodies.

The most interesting thing about this tournament was that the players have never played football in their entire life and they learnt it from the PE teacher Mr. Rajakumar, who himself has played in District Level in Karnataka. The student have put in much hard work by coming to school early morning everyday and practiced before school and have achieved this incredible feat. We hope that they continue to hone their new found skills and put it to good use.

We welcome sports volunteers who can come over to the school and spend time teaching the student more.

Principal kicking off the Semis and Final

Players and referee enter ground

Toss and Kick-0ff

Trophies and goodies

Winners - Leopards Team

Runners - Giraffe team

With Coach Rajakumar

Special Mid-day meal

2011-04-04T12:58:00.005+05:30

Mr. Kishore Vadhia from UK is a very close friend of HOPE foundation. He has constantly remembered the poor and needy throughout the country. He also remembers to remind his friends to do the same.

Recently through his inspiration his friends gave some money to the school to host a special meal during lunch time for the students. The students received 2 days of some special and traditional Guajarati food during the lunch time from this generous donation. We thank Savitaben Parmar, Madhubhai J. Chauhan and Tulsibhai J. Chudasama along with our common friend Mr. Kishore Vadhia for their kind donations which helped put smiles on these young ones.

Drawing competition by Bajaj Insurance

2011-04-04T12:52:00.004+05:30

In February the Bajaj Capital Insurance company supported a drawing competition for the entire school. They have promised that 200 selected students will get special certificates signed by celebrities like, Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag both of whom are top class Cricket players of the Indian Team, which recently won the 2011 World Cup.

We were very surprised and impressed to see some wonderful art work and the themes behind some. We wish these children all the best as they strive to achieve something exceptional with their lives.

We also welcome volunteers out there who can help nurturing the budding artists in these children, to come and spend some time with our school and support our art dept.

Trip to the Bhuj Railway Station

2011-04-04T12:47:00.002+05:30

In February 2011, as part of the Life-skill development program, the students of the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th standards were taken to the Bhuj City Railway Station which is nearby to the school for an educational visit.

The authorities at the station gave us a free hand in taking the children around and explaining to them the basics around railway travel. Some of the students had never set foot inside a train before and this journey for them was very exceptional and exciting. After the trip the students had their lunch in the railway station itself. We thank the authorities for joining us in educating our students.

2011-04-04T12:40:00.002+05:30

Not all the students get to sit on benches and write on desks, as we cannot afford the same. But thanks to some generous donors, few benches are provided to few classes and the children get the privilege of using it.

Mr. Jayant Tanna, a volunteer from UK, who was on his 2^nd visit to the school in 2009 to train our teachers, noticed that few students of the 3^rd standard did not have that privilege. When he spoke about this back home in UK, Mr. Ashvin Vithlani came forward to donate towards the same.

In January 2011, thanks to that donation, we were able to get 5 new sets of Bench-cum-desks. This were provided to the 3^rd standard and now all students have the privilege of sitting on benches and write using the desks. Thanks to the friends who have continuously supported the cause of the needy.

Visit to the Airport - (Life Skill Program)

2010-12-17T13:14:00.007+05:30

The second visit as part of the Life skill subject for the students of the 4, 5 and 6th standards was to the Domestic Airport in Bhuj. The Airport has 2 flights everyday from Mumbai and back through Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines.

The visit was spread over 3 days, as each class went and got educated on how an airport functions. The tour was lead under the guidance of the airport supervisor Mr. Praful. The students were shown how checks are conducted and the points of checks. The visitor lobby, the VIP lounge and arrival and departure sections. The students could also view landing and take-off from the gallery.

The HOPE foundation School is grateful to Mr. Khan, Manager of the Airport for allowing us to bring our school students and also providing time and personnel for the educational tour.

Students of 4th in line

The VIP Lounge

Noting down info for the project essay

The arrival section

More to learn

A first time experience

Excitement in the air(port)

All 4th students

To Viewing Gallery

After a fine experience

Explaining to 5th standard

Explaining waiting lobby

The guest book at VIP Lounge

Waiting for view the landing

All students of 5th standard

Getting some pointers for essay

6th standard boys

with Teachers

Students with the Supervisor

2010-11-29T12:34:00.007+05:30

One of the most popular sport in Gujarat is Cricket. Bhuj is no exception. This is the only game that brings people together with excitement. Therefore every year HOPE foundation tries to organise a Cricket tournament for the local community teams.

This year too, tournament for Under-14 and Under-18 were organised during the Diwali holidays and 3 teams from local areas came together to participate. This was a fine opportunity to bring boys together and forge friendships and create sportsmanship among the young.

In the Under-14 category, teams that participated were Ashapuranagar, Shanthinagar and a team from HOPE foundation comprising of students from 6th standard.

In the Under-18 category, Ashapuranagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya and Nagnathnagar were the teams that participated.

In both the categories, the winners were Ashapuranagar teams. Everyone who participated received prizes and gifts.

Since this game gives many boys hope in many ways, plans are being made to have games and coaching in the night under lights in the school ground. Other sports will also be introduced and boys will be motivated to participate.

Photos from the event:

Excitement after event

Opening Batsman Sagar for Ashapuranagar

Batsmen in Action

Joy of Victory

Wicket taking excitement

Confident appeal

Kendriya Vidyalaya(KV) Team - Runners Up - U-18

Ashapuranagar, Winners - U-18

All teams

Sharad - Man of match 1, U-14

Manoj - Man of match 2, U-14 (5 wickets in 5 balls)

Noah Dinesh - Batsman of Series, U-14

Rahul - Bowler of Series, U-14

Vishal - Man of match 1, U-18

Anubhav - Man of match 2, U-18

Kamlesh - Man of match 3, U-18

Suraj - Bowler of Series, U-18

Sagar - Batsman of Series, U-18

Mayur - Captain of Shanthinagar Team, U-14

Clyde Rohan - Captain of HOPE foundation, U-14

Winning Team Captain for U-14 receiving new Bat

Bhavin - Captain of Nagnath Team, U-18

Diwaker - Captain of KV team, U-18

Kamlesh - Captain Ashapuranagar Team, U-18

Enjoying the prizes and gifts

More gifts and prizes

Volunteers from University of Portsmouth

2010-11-29T11:01:00.006+05:30

Vinesh Pomal and Simon Drayson postgraduate students from the Portsmouth School of Architecture (University of Portsmouth, UP) in UK visited the School and spent a day with the students of class 4, 5 and 6.

This trip was part of Vinesh's architectural award, which enabled him to fly to India. They both choose to spend time with the students of the HOPE foundation School after having come to know about it through this blog.

The children along with Vinesh and Simon had a great time. They were taught basics of architectural drawing and a quick competition was organised. The winners were rewarded with special goodies from UP. All participants received pens and bookmarks.

It was special time, for the students and volunteers alike. Hope this encourages others out there to come forth and support our work in similar ways.

Few pictorial memories:

Participants with Volunteers and Teachers

Vinesh Teaching

Simon with Students

Hangout time

Sheetal (4th class) with her drawing

Both explaining different angles of drawing

Absorbing it all

Simon with expert advice

Presentations

Kausar (6th) winner among girls, get a T-shirt

Tejinder Singh (4th) winner among Boys

At the time of posting this blog, We have news that Vinesh and Simon have been able to raise some funds through their lectures as donation for the school. We are very grateful for this gesture. Thanks Friends!

Life Skills - Tour to Multiplex

2010-09-28T17:00:00.004+05:30

Every child needs more than just the average academic education to do well in life. They need something more, which we call as life skills. This is the reason Life Skills subject was introduced this year. This course has been offered to the students from 4th, 5th and 6th standard. One of the highlight feature of this course is that the students get to take trips with teachers to civil establishments and learn how they operate besides other facts.

The first such trip was to the only Multiplex in Bhuj, opened recently. The Seven Sky Multiplex allowed the school to conduct a trip to their complex and were given a tour of the facility. The students got to see everything from how tickets get sold to seating arrangements, how movie is procured and how it is projected on screen.

It was a fabulous experience for everyone.

The students even had an opportunity of watching few trailers of upcoming movies.

In future we plan to visit the following:

1. Bhuj Civil Airport

2. City Police Station

3. Bhuj Railway Station

4. Kutch Museum

5. Seven Sky Star Hotel

The students prepare a essay after such visits, which would fetch them reward points.

Some photos of the first visit:

At the Seven Sky Multiplex

Inside with the support staff.

The 6th Standard with Teacher

The Manager Mr. Kumar - Instructions

Projector Room with Operator

Manager explaining how everything works

Sports Activities

2010-09-28T16:54:00.003+05:30

On August 15th, the students were encouraged by holding team sportive events.

Some photos from the day's activities on field.

Football

Cricket

Badminton

Throw-ball

Throw-Ball

School Exhibition

2010-09-28T16:33:00.004+05:30

On August 15th the Independence Day was celebrated with a difference. After the usual march parade and Flag hoisting, the parents were invited to view an exhibition compiled and put together by the students. The Exhibition ranged from photos of school and children from the past and science projects and their models. The categories were Global Warming, Telecommunication. The smaller kids were asked to draw and exhibit their talents.

Some photos:

Director Inaugurating the Exhibition

Drawing Exhibition

Students explaining Project - Global Warming

More Explanations

Model for Project

Solar System - Global Warming

How to help reduce Global Warming

Water Harvesting Project Model

Telecommunications Tools

Photo Exhibitions

More photos

Drawing - My School

Drawing My Family

My Family/House

Annual Day 2010

2010-07-29T12:23:00.005+05:30

The last one month was quite a different scenario at the HOPE foundation School. If you had walked through the school corridors, you would have seen all the children excited about preparations. If you stop and enquire, you would have found out that the preparations were for the school Annual day celebration. This was an opportunity to showcase their talents.

This was a great event organised with much involvement from the Parents. Some parents put together a dance routine too. In more than one ways it was a miraculous day.

As the day of the event approached, the first miracle started. The rains commenced in Bhuj. Where for the last 30 years (at least) it had not rained for more than couple of days, it was raining for 2 weeks constantly. Though this was a good thing for Bhuj, it was a bad news for the School, as it would hinder the event, to be held in the open ground.

As the day approached the forecast had not altered, as more rain was predicted. The options were to postpone or find a hall. This led us to finding the Town Hall. This was the 2nd miracle. The hall was booked on all days except the day we wanted for event, this was the 3rd miracle. It was cheaper than hiring 600 chairs for our school, and it came with 1000 seats, with a huge stage and a wonderful acoustic setup, this was the next miracle.

On the day of event we were apprehensive if all will come due to change of location and rains. We had initially expected 600 people to come. But, as miracles go, over 800 hundred people showed up. The children were really excited and let their best flow in all their performances.

The Chief Guests were Mr. Viraj Barot, Principal of Sanskar English Medium School; Dr. Kashyap Buch, Senior Physician in Government Civil Hospital; Mrs. Stella Buch, member Inner-wheel. Many other guests also graced the occasion. The events included dance routines from the Primary classes, fancy/fashion show from the Nursery classes, skit, Songs by teachers, dance by parents and a video presentation of the past years. The children who had excelled academically in the past year were rewarded with prizes by the Chief Guests. The prizes were sponsored by a friend of HOPE foundation in Bhuj, who liked to remain anonymous.

Chief Guests

Lighting of Lamp by Mr. Viraj Barot, Principal, Sanskar School.

Mrs. Stella Buch lighting the lamp

Mr. Christopher ligting the lamp

Welcome Dance - Dholna

Welcome Dance - Rajasthani Style - 5th/6th class

Parents Dance - Kutchi Style

Fashion Show - Nursery

Choti-si-asha - Dance by 1st Standard

Dance by 1st standard

Dance by 3rd standard - Disco

Students in audience

All audience

Remarks by people who attended:

“I have covered so many programs; this is one of the best I have been too.”
Mr. Khatri, Reporter from the Kutch Aam-tak newspaper.

“This is a well organised event, which would be a bridge between our schools for the future.”
Mr. Viraj Barot, Principal – Sanskar English medium School.

“We, the kutch people, ourselves do not know the dance, but heartening to see the Principal madam learn and dance along with the parents.”
One of the parents.

“This is a wonderful event; you should have invited many more people from the press.”

Mr. Bavesh, Reporter from Aaj-Kal News.

Volunteers from Mumbai

2010-07-07T13:52:00.005+05:30

Volunteers from Mumbai, came over for 3 days to help the School Program. During their stay they participated in the ongoing Summer camp and held story reading sessions,taught new songs and also staged a skit on the final day program of the Camp.

They also helped the school by repainting the main gate and the school windows. Their involvement in this program is very appreciated, while plans are on for a bigger group intervention of the same nature during the Dusera holidays in Oct'10. Anyone interested in volunteering and being part of the school work, pls contact on christopher@hopeww.in

Jeetu song teaching.

Story reading

Preparing for paint work

Painting main gate

More painting on gate

Painting School windows

Denish and Jeetu painting window

Skit for summer camp final day

Skit for summer camp final day

Ashok explaining the moral of skit

Training in Photography

2010-03-10T22:25:00.003+05:30

Reena, travelling around India, found time while in Bhuj to volunteer and give some time to the students of the HOPE foundation School. During her 2 week placement, she taught basics on how to handle a digital camera to the 4th and 5th standard students. She also gave each student opportunity to take photo and present in form of a simple assignment. During this period, she also taught a bit more on yoga for the 5th standard students, which was a effective support, since it is part of the Health & Physical Education curricullam.

Explaining the Camera - 5th Standard

With the 4th standard

Yoga lessons

Republic Day - 2010

2010-02-19T13:22:00.003+05:30

Republic Day of India was celebrated on 26th of January. An exciting time for the school and its students as we celebrate the glory of our nation.

Students performed Exercise Drills, Yoga based drill routine and a special dance tableau, for a medley of patriotic songs culminating with the famous Jay Ho, by A.R.Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire fame.

Prizes were given to students who had won in various competitions held during the previous year.

Flag Hoisting and School Assembly

Drill by Students

Jay Ho by students

Drill by Students

The team that performed Yoga based routine

Volunteer at School

2010-02-19T12:59:00.002+05:30

Allison Belben, volunteer from UK, came back for a 2nd visit in January. She had previously spent a week with the school during December'09. In her 2nd visit she took more Yoga classes for the 5th grade, as this is part of their Health and Phsical Education subject as per state board curricullam.

She also prepared some activity based pictorial story books for use in classes. This would help children understand the language better.

She has also helped train a group of boys from 5th standard to perform a special yoga based drill routine as part of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26th.

Yoga session for 5th standard in progress

Warrior Pose

Allison with the students of 5th standard

The Pictorial story used by Allison & Pearly

Allison with her Story Chart

N-couraging Teachers

2009-12-02T16:46:00.005+05:30

During the Diwali holidays, as the students were given their 1st term vacations, the teachers came to school to evaluate, prepare report cards and plan for the next term. During this time, Some additional activities were conducted by the school management to encourage them. Some coaching on Spoken English was given to them in workshop method. A week was set apart for some fun activities too. During this week, various competitions were organised for the teachers, like cooking, rangoli, 1 minute games, etc.

Spoken English class in progress

Teachers in spoken English class

Teachers displaying their cooking skills

Various food items

Mouth-watering dishes

Exciting variety.

Delicious food

Everyone gets a bite

Extra helping allowed too

Executive Officer visit's School in Bhuj

2009-12-02T16:24:00.002+05:30

Mrs. Joyce Correa, Executive Officer, Women & Children Programmes for West India visited the HOPE foundation School in Bhuj in the 2nd week of September. As part of her visit, she met the children, the teachers and had a short visit of the Bhuj city.

Joyce is known for her passion in helping the poor and needy. She had a few words of encouragement to the staff before leaving.

Teaching staff meeting with Mrs. Joyce

Mrs. Joyce (in blue in center) with all teachers

Teacher's Day - 2009

2009-09-22T13:49:00.002+05:30

The role of a teacher is one of the most challenging of all roles in the world. A teacher, at times, has to be a Mother, Father, Counselor, Educator and Friend. To honour such this unique role India celebrates September 5th as Teacher's Day.

This year, the school management and the students held a small function to honour the teachers of our school. They were welcomed with garlands, given a seat of honour. Students recited poems, followed by gifts by management to the teachers.

After the official function, the teachers got together for a time of singing and chit-chat.

The Teachers with garlands at the seat of honour

All children in full colour to encourage

All teachers receiving gifts from Management

A light moment

Singing after the function

Watch Out! - Traffic Lessons to the students

2009-08-31T15:18:00.004+05:30

Before the children went home for the weekend, on friday Mr.Rajakumar AKA Peter, organised and conducted a short lesson on traffic sense. This was conducted with the help of couple of students acting in short skits, enacting accident scenorios and how they can be averted. Below are few photos and a short edited video depicting the lesson.

One of the scenes where accident occurs

Bad things happen, when you take bad turns

Follow rules, travel smooth

Class 5, one of the classes to learn and enjoy.

The video of the lessons.

Cricket group for community service

2009-08-27T19:44:00.003+05:30

A group of boys come together to play cricket at the HOPE foundation school every evening. One of these days we realized that a particularly deep pothole on the Airport road was not being taken care by the PWD of Bhuj. The plan to fill this pothole ourselves was made and the idea put forth before these boys, who immediately agreed.

On a Saturday, we all came together, earlier then usual and drove to this spot along with the support staff of the CoH. Once there, it was a scurry of activity, as all the boys started doing what they came to do and in no time the hole was filled.

Many motorists will have a peaceful ride at this spot, rather than curse the Government officials.

Before the team messed it up.

In the process of collecting mud

Filling with stones before packing mud

The Team working together

Ayub(support staff) helping with hands of experience

Giving his Best - Dinesh (my Son)

The first beneficiaries to enjoy the fruit

The Proud team - (from right to left)
Vishal, Chirag, Bavin, Ayub, Rajan, Bavesh, Anand,
Rohan, Sagar, Sashwath, Suraj, Yogesh, Dinesh and Peter.

Medical Camp at School

2009-06-23T12:59:00.003+05:30

On April 2nd 2009, a medical camp for the students of the entire school was held at the within the school campus.
The Air Force of India were kind enough to conduct this camp for the school out their benevolent attitude. The team comprised of 3 Medical Doctors, 1 Vision technician, 1 Dentist, 1 Lab technician along with other support staff. The team set up their camp within the school premises and held the camp for the morning part in which they were able to screen all the students of the school. The students were first registered in the log book, then went to the Dentist for a dental checkup where they were checked and at the same time taught on oral hygiene. This was followed by a visit to the vision checkup, where the child was to go the normal procedure to identify abnormalities if any. The next stop was at the General Practitioner’s, where they would be checked for any simple ailments they might have or for any deficiency in mineral or vitamin needs, etc. After this visit either they go back to their classes, or pay a visit to the Lab or Pharmacy based on the diagnosis.

The HOPE foundation is very grateful to Sgt. Dr. Raju and his team for the fabulous support rendered to the poor and needy through the Air Force of India.

General Checkup

Pharmacy

Eye Checkup

Dental Checkup

Registration

2009 Annual Sports Day

2009-02-02T21:46:00.005+05:30

Another year has passed by and the new year brings new hope along. Though the 26th of January was a black day for Gujarat, due to the earthquake in 2001, in recent times, people have learnt to look forward and continue leading their lives with resilence.

The HOPE foundation School in Bhuj continues to be an leader in this avenue. In 2007 we decided to remember the 26th of Jan, which incidently happens to be India's Republic Day, as the School's Annual Sports Day.

This year we continued the tradition forward. The school wore that festive look once again. It was a time for action and fun for the entire school. It was heart warming to see many local community youth being involved as volunteers to help the school conduct this event.

The Chief Guest was the Chairman of Vahedna School, Sanjognagar, which is run by their trust. He has been a very active member of the District Education Board holding the Education Inspector's post among other responsibilities. Though he is retired, he is still active in educational development plans.

He delivered a speech which included inspiration for Sudents, encouragment for Teachers and motivation for Parents. He distributed prizes for the winners of the Singing and Dancing Competitions held recently(See previous posts).

After the Indian Flag hoisting and National Anthem, followed by Parade, The Sports events were started off by lighting of the Olympic Torch, which was a relay by few chosen 5th standard students. They light the Olympic Flame, which continued till the end of the events.
Below are few pictures from the event. Enjoy them and bless our Children.
Thank You.

Flag Hoisting

Chief Guest Mr. Munshi Addressing

Prize Distribution

Lighting the Olympic Torch

The Olympic Flame

Full Glory

Race On!

Eating Race

Traditional sack race

The Frog Leap race

Fill water race

Children's Day out

2008-12-04T16:04:00.003+05:30

A new practice has begun in our school. We have planned to take the 5th standard children out weekly once during one session of Wednesday. This outing would enable the children in communication skills, refresh their minds, act as a source of information exchange, also as a practical lesson session.

The first trip was to a tea shop about half a kilometer away from the school. We all had tea and biscuits and a lot of fellowship. Lessons on road safety, agriculture & many other small talk was part of the fellowship.

Some photos:

Road safety lessons

Lessons on Agriculture

At the field

The way milk is cooled

Tea time

The Gang

In front of the Tea shop

Exciting times

On the way

Tree Saplings Planted

2008-12-04T15:47:00.003+05:30

Volunteers from the Parle company came over to the school campus to plant 50 Neem tree saplings. A fine gesture, since trees are what we need to sustain this planet from an early death. The students at school got few lessons on eco-balance; as the 40 strong volunteers, mostly workers of the factory took time off to come and plant the saplings. Their efforts would bear fruit and in years to come we shall see it.

Ground digging

Parle & HOPE foundation Team

Each Volunteer certified to acknowledge their participation

Certification in progress

Girls involved in planting process

Boys, not left behind

Volunteers from Parle

Need all the green we can get

What you sow - you reap

Children's Day

2008-11-25T13:47:00.003+05:30

Children getting to enjoy the Entertainment

Teacher's Unplugged

2008-11-18T11:18:00.008+05:30

It was the turn of the teachers now! To entertain their students, each teacher came up with a fabulous performance through dance, which left the children excited. They saw the side of their teachers, which they had never seen before. This event, to celebrate Children's day, brought the students and their teachers closer together.

If you are supporting our school, then you have a big reason to be proud of us. We are enabling these chilren (who otherwise have no choice) to grow with with adequate education, which would empower them as adults.

If you are not yet, you can see the reason to be part of these process.

Sonal Chandrikaben

Meena D Gor

Supriya & Shalini

Poonam Sharma

Ashwini

Salma Ismail Lakhani

Neetu Gupta

Filled Amphitheatre

The stage is set

Welcome!

Rajakumar

Bhavsar Sisters

Enjoying the show!

Under-14 T10 Cricket Tournament

2008-11-04T10:43:00.004+05:30

During the Diwali Holidays, A Under-14 T10 Cricket Tournament was organised for the boys from the communities closer to the School. 4 teams were registered and the lots were drawn. Every team played 3 matches each after which 2 teams on top with best points and Run Rate were chosen to fight it out in the finals for the trophy. It was exciting to see the small children get involved in a big way and enjoy.

Each match was a 10-10 overs match with 7 players a side.
The highest score by a team was 111 by the HOPE foundation Team.
The Highest individual score was 43 by Shanthi from Ashapuranagar Team.
The finals was between HOPE foundation team and 36th Police Qtrs.
The later won the Trophy.

The success of this tournament has prompted us to plan for an under-18 tournament during Christmas this year.

Enjoy the pictures.

The Winner(right) & Runner up Trophies with players trophies

Christopher having a pre-match talk with teams

Play in progress

The 36th Police Qtrs Team

The Ashapuranagar Team

The Shanthinagar Team

Sharad-Capt of HOPE foundation Team - Runner up trophy

Diwaker-Man of the Match-Finals

Diwaker - Capt 36th Police Qtrs - Winners Trophy

The Winning team

The Runner - up team

Singing Competition

2008-11-03T16:27:00.005+05:30

To encourage the young ones to harnes their talents, the school focusses and organises small events from time to time which in turn show cases their abilities and helps them to look forward to grow in that particular talent. This time it was the singing talent that was focussed upon. The school held a singing competition for the 1st class to 5th class.Following are some of the pictures during the event and not forget these winners will be rewarded.Enjoy...

Dhvani - 2nd Standard

Zayed - 2nd Standard

Heth Gor - 1st Standard

Utsav - 2nd Standard

Krupali - 2nd Standard

Rajjab Ali - 5th Standard

Sahil Juneja - 3rd Standard

Manav - 3rd Standard

Some Teachers got into the act too...

Mrs. Neetu Gupta - Junior KG Class Teacher

Mrs. Nishu Kumar - Teacher

Virtual Tour of the School

2008-09-16T12:59:00.005+05:30

A Virtual Tour of the school in Bhuj is on the web. For initial glimpse of the same and for a simple virtual tour of the school please click on the link below:

http://www.mailonmap.com/imt_file/virtual_tur/india/gujarat/bhuj_school_v2/

I shall post again when the final work is done, till then....

Celebrating Freedom'08

2008-08-22T17:38:00.004+05:30

THE NEW INDIA.

Dear friends,

Some reasons for celebration, no matter how many times you might have celebrated, never lose its flavor. The Indian Independence Day is one such. We recently concluded our 61st Independence day.

Flag Hoisting by MC

Local Leaders with Principal & Director

As tradition goes, we Hoisted our Flag at the start of the event. The hoisting was done by the Local Municipal Councilor, Mr. Jagdish Bhai.

School Parade

This was followed by a Parade marching past the flag and saluting it at the same time, by the students of the school.

Group Gymnastic Routine

For the first time in HOPE foundation School, we held Gymnastics event. A small group of selected students performed couple of routines taught by their Physical Trainer Mr.Peter.

Cute Participant in Fancy Dress

The tiniest of all students displayed their stage presence by putting on a Fancy Dress competition, for which every one of the participants received a Prize.

All Participants of Fancy Dress

Bombing the City for Parents-Game

The Parents enjoyed the game which was organized for them, another first in our school.

All in all, it was another great day at school

Teachers Training Workshop-2008

2008-08-22T10:47:00.006+05:30

Aarti Majithia returned to continue the training she had begun last year, about the same time. It was a wonderful gesture on her part to come back to take the training to the next level.

This time around she continued where she left last year, Behaviour Management and took up more topics like, Lesson Structure.

The physical evidence of her work is the Compact but very useful Teacher's Pocket Book she prepared for all teachers to have. It is a kind of book, which as notes from their training sessions as well as tips and ideas. We hope to see much changes coming out of these sessions for the better future of our students.

We also wish Aarti all the very best in her life. Thank you Aarti.

Parle's Biscuit Factory

2008-08-22T10:25:00.003+05:30

Children are and will always be fascinated by food, especially biscuits. Parle is a very famous and well known biscuit and confectionery manufacturing company. They have 10 mother plants in India, one of which is situated in Bhuj, where brand's like Parle-G and Monaco are being made. Everyday about 150 tonnes of them are made!

What a great experience it would be for children who love biscuits to see how they are being made. As part of their CSR, Parler reached out to HOPE foundation School and invited our children to see for themselves.

So we took the students from 1st to 5th class for the trip. They had a wonderful TREAT!

As they arrived each and everyone of the 180 students were treated to mouth watering freshly baked bisuits, "as many as they could have", in the CSR Representative Mr.Viren Gor's own words.

That was followed by an 20 minutes Animated feature in their Auditorium about the history and other features of Parle. It was very well done.

Then the students enjoyed the trip to the inner part of the factory and saw how the dough was mixed in a giant container and how they were lined out and impressed by the die and taken to be baked and cooled and packed, all in one long stretch. It was a sight. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photographs, and we respected it.

The children had a wonderful time. THANKS PARLE!

Annual Day - 2008

2008-07-16T12:08:00.008+05:30

It was an evening of great fun for all the students and their parents. The students from every class had put together a dance routine each for the pleasure of the audience. The audience were enthralled to see such confidence and appreciated equally with applause. Over 500 people attended the event.

HOPE foundation school celebrated its school annual day in style. The stage was set for an incredible time. News channels were present to cover the event, namely from ETV & Chanchal(local). The reporter from ETV had intially planned to stay for a while, but as the event began he found himself not able to resist the urge to stay till the end, which is what he did.

Snack shacks and chat centres added their own charm to the atmosphere at the school ground.
The stage lightings were excellent and showed dancers in different light with variety.

Prizes were given to children who had excelled in 3 disciplines. Academics, Leadership & Attendance. The prizes were sponsored by local shopping center SWAD.
At this point I would rather let the photos speak for themselves.

Stage is set

Parents & friends gather

Anchors - Ms.Salma & Mrs.Neetu (Teachers)

Welcome Garba Dance

Welcome address by Mr.Christopher Noel - Director

Dance begins with the tiny tots from Junior KG

Kutchi Dance from Senior KG

My red balloon dance by Senior KG

Om Shanthi Om by 4th Grade

Aaja Nachle by 3rd Grade

Nagada - Punjabi Dance by 5th Grade

Prize given to Ms.Tanjilla by Dr. Kashyap Bhuj.

Prize given to Master Rahul by Dr. Kashyap Bhuj

Felicitation of Guest by Principal & Director

All Staff of the HOPE foundation - Bhuj

Summer Camp - 2008

2008-06-24T10:48:00.006+05:30

Total Students Attended = 45

Subjects of Camp:Craft work, Dance classes, Story telling sessions, General Knowledge classes, Drawing, Indoor & Outdoor Games

Craft work taught

Craft work deing practised

Completed works

Completed

Craft and Drawing by the girls

Due Credit

2008-06-24T10:34:00.003+05:30

As another academic year comes to the end, it would be apt to take stock of the school and its performance. For any unit to perform well, the players have to be commendable. The teachers are one of the main players in a school. They are the multi-faceted facilitators. They don many roles on any given day. The roles are varied as teachers, mothers, friends, guides, motivators to name a few. Even as they take up these roles, they are constantly on a learning curve. They try out all means to bring to the child a wholesome understanding. I appreciate the spirit with which the teachers in HOPE foundation school work. They give to the students, unconditionally. They are the cornerstones of the education we impart within this campus. This note is to give them due credit.

Salma - Teacher with Class

Pallavi - with her class

Usha Bindhu - with her class

Sridevi - with her class

Evaluation Time

2008-06-24T10:20:00.002+05:30

The month of April at school is a month most of the children look forward too. That is not because of the final examination, but rather because of the summer vacation that follows the examination! I went back to my report of April 2007 before I prepared this year’s April report. I found that not much has changed with regard to the attitude of the children. Their approach to exams, especially here, is not with fear or apprehension. That does not mean that they look forward eagerly to the examination too. But it rather seems to me that the students have learnt to take one day at a time and do what it requires to complete that day. Come exam or holiday or a new lesson. Since they have done what they had to do through the year, exams are not that hard to face.

Final Exam

Colour Splash - II

2008-06-24T10:10:00.006+05:30

The Drawing competition held on 26th Jan’08 as part of Indian Republic day celebrations brought the very best of talent in many students who took part in it.
In order to encourage all students to take those talents higher and others to take up new hobbies, we decide to organize an exhibition of the drawings.One fine day in we did it and the children were treated to a variety of expressions, which had come from them.

The Exhibits

Students viewing.

Students viewing

Soheb Ghafar

2008-06-24T10:02:00.001+05:30

Soheb’s education is a beacon of hope for the family for whom tragedy is not alien. His family has had more than its share of sorrow.
On 26th January 2001, as the earthquake shook the land of Bhuj, his family were among those whoes life has been shaken upside down.
Soheb (left) with classmate Fhehzan His 2 elder sisters lost their lives during the earthquake. Due to the situation at home and with added pressure Soheb lost his father due to a heart attack.
His mother took over the reins of leading the family and started feeding the family by selling dry fish. Presently his 2 other elder sisters work as maid servants and 2 sisters study in a Gujarati medium school and a toddler sister hangs out with mother.
Among all things that appear bleak at times for their family, we would like to make Soheb’s education a reason for their happiness. Soheb is in Senior Kindergarten and will be moving on to Grade 1 class from June’08.

Soheb(Left) with friend Fhezhan

At School with friends

Inspiring Change

2008-06-24T09:52:00.000+05:30

Prizes from Principal

Team of the week with their Rewards

A big part of changing lives requires understanding the need and addressing it. When we see children in our school, we see potential for growth. Good and Bad. We want to encourage good growth. Some of the values we thought they would require for the future are: Leadership skills, Team spirit, Creativity. In order to encourage these, we have formed teams within the Primary School and have encouraged them to use their lunch period to perform team activities which would fetch the best team rewards on a weekly basis.
It was inspiring see a wide range of activities taking place. Some of them include, team games, campus cleaning, revision of the day’s lessons, etc. On every Friday, at the end of the week, a team is selected based on their performance chart and every member of the team is rewarded. Some teams that need change are addressed on a personal basis.
We really hope this will bring about changes which will inspire growth in the children.

Visit of friends

2008-03-27T09:59:00.003+05:30

James Shoemark & Caroline Maclellan from Edinburgh, Scotland, visited the school this Feb. Their visit was to get acquainted with the school and the wonderful students. To see how since the earthquake in 2001, lives have been changed. Their desire is to be part of such change. We deeply appreciate them for taking the time and coming here and encouraging us.

James & Caroline with the 3rd & 4th Graders

Shopping in Bhuj

Getting a feel of the campus

Colour Splash on Republic Day

2008-03-04T13:54:00.006+05:30

On the 26th of January, '08 We celebrated India's Republic Day at school by holding a Painting competetion for the students.

This was inspired by the movie Taare Zameen Par. It was wonderful to see all students come prepared to use their skills and paint whats on their mind.

They will be presented with prizes for their efforts in the month of Feb'08.

Enjoy the colour splash on these photos.

The students of 1st Grade

Friends of within 3rd Grade together

More of the 1st Grade

The 4th Graders

Teachers overseeing the competetion

Bringing out their talents

Colourful ideas

Creative colouring - Simi Kakkal - 2nd Grade

Exciting Pattern - Rajwinder Kaur -2nd Grade

New Benches for the school!!!

2008-03-04T13:38:00.003+05:30

Finally, the day many students have been waiting for has arrived. 3 class rooms have Desk-cum-benches for the students.

It was an exciting moment for all students, as they were peeping form the windows, waiting to capture a spot for themselves on the new benches. The new look in class is going to be of great help. These benches will go a long way in helping the students improve their handwriting, raise their viewing level parallel to the black board, and also instill a sense of confidence to have their own space in the class. It would also help their uniforms be more tidy. In all sense the new addition to the rooms is a winner.

Now the rest of the students are hoping and waiting that they might also have the privilege of such in the near future.

If any one out there is interested, please contact us, for further details.

Brand new Bench-cum-desk for

Changed ambience

Grateful hearts

Excitement in the air

Open week at school

2008-03-04T13:07:00.002+05:30

The school held its Open week during the 3rd week of January'08. The teachers maintain a performance register which has the data per student for each term and helps moniter the progress of the student. On a day during the Open week the parents are requested to collect the report card and go over the performance register along with the teacher and student, in order for them to be aware of their child's status. Below are few photos of parents with the class teacher.

Mrs. Sujata Kulkarni with Parent in Senior KG (A)

Ms. Salma Ismail Lakhani with parent in Junior KG

Mrs. T. Sridevi with parents in Senior KG (B)

Children's Day Celebrations

2007-11-26T16:02:00.000+05:30

November 14th was the Children's Day celebrated in India. We at the School had a great time.
The Plan was to have all Teachers spend time with their respective classes and share the yummies that everyone had brought. The teachers too got something special for their class. After all that, everyone came together to watch each other perform. Some sang songs, some recited poems, stories, while osome others danced. It was a wonderful day, specially for the Children.

Teacher with their class

Time with the class

Outdoor for some classes

All teachers ready for the day.

Friends from South

2007-10-31T10:44:00.000+05:30

Its been a while since I posted. School's been on a roll, exciting as ever. Some of our friends had dropped in last week for a visit at the Center and everyone had a wonderful time. Some of the pictures durign their trip.

All Students in a Drawing Competetion

Friends helping the students

Sunset at Mandvi Beach

The Latest

2007-09-11T15:13:00.001+05:30

Following are few words on recent happenings at the Center of HOPE-Bhuj

Ravi Ruparel is a volunteer from UK. He spent 6 weeks training the local youth in Basics and few techniques of Cricket. The whole idea was to bring together the youth from local community and create a network of volunteers for the CoH's developement initiatives in future. The boys had a great time, as you can see.

Stretching Exercise

Fielding Practise

More Stretching Practise

The 4th Grade children were initiated into the ways of gardening, to enable them to understand biological life better and also to be involved in growth, around themselves. All the students were invloved from the initial stages of cleaning the small patch and ploughing it and sowing the seeds. We shall soon see Lady's finger grow on these plants.

Cleaning the Patch

Hands on job

All involved

Getting to Sow

The teachers have taken a lot of interest in the education of or students, therefore they have started using visual methods a lot more to pass on the lesson. There have been an increase in wall displays at the classrooms, which was something that was decided during the recently concluded Teachers Training Workshop. As you can see I have posted a few for your viewing;

Chart for Colour

Moral Story Chart

Science Chart

Fruits Chart

Moral Story Chart

The Indepence day on August 15th was special as it was the 60th year celebration. The school had a time of the Tiranga (Indian Tricolour Flag) being hoisted and the few children mentioned the importance of the Day in their speech. The students who stood out in the area of Cleanliness, Discipline and Studies recieved prizes for the same from Ravi Ruparel. The last part of the day was a dance routine by the students which was taught by Ravi.

Beginning the Assembly

Flag Hoisting

The Dance Troupe

Prizes distribution

The effects of rain in bhuj

2007-08-21T12:06:00.000+05:30

More pictures from the days of rain from Bhuj.

In front of the School Campus

The Amphitheatre Lawn

The School Playground

The Hill overlooking Bhuj

Shanthinagar-locality from where students come

Ashapuranagar

Fishing at Ashapuranagar

Rainy Days at Bhuj

2007-08-10T10:45:00.000+05:30

Its a very rare but welcome sight when it rains in Bhuj which is in the Kutch District one of the 2 most driest place in India, the other being in Rajasthan. Therefore when it rains, people unlike elsewhere do not run into their homes, but on the contrary run out into the streets to enjoy every bit of the ever elusive waters from the skies. Even when it is as devastative as was the case the last couple of days!

It was a very painful sight to see people having water run into their homes due to overflowing of water from the local Amritsvar Lake, which was again due to heavy rains. But as I went around trying to measure the extent of damage, it was a very happy crowd that I saw around, happy for the coolness in the middle of heat. I had captured some pictures of the levels of water flow & also some of the excitment in people, some even fishing as the fish were forced out of the lake. Take a look and enjoy!

Happenings at the School.

2007-07-30T11:32:00.000+05:30

Well the school has re-opened aftert the Summer vacation break. Lots of new faces around along with the older members of the school. New year, New students, few New teachers, new plans, new classes. It has been a time of news. I shall update the pictures very soon. Lots of news to share. We have started a new training workshop series for the teachers. Sports camp for the local youth. So just wait a bit more, to see and hear about the happenings at the Center of HOPE.

2007-07-09T14:26:00.000+05:30

The Centre of HOPE image from Satellite through Google Earth.

SUMMER OF '07 - A CAMP

2007-05-24T09:51:00.000+05:30

Come summer and all children get excited about the vacations where they can have unlimited fun, and children at our school are no different. Some have left town to spend their days with relatives in other cities. SOme have a good time planned by their parents to go places as tourists. Some are left behind due to various reasons. What ever be the reasons, we planned to help them have fun. I would like you to join me as I take you along through a journey to see what the've been upto this summer.

Welcome to the Summer Camp of '07

Learning tips on the Gujarati Language

Story Telling time

Listening to Moral Stories

Learning the Art of Colours

Applying it

Almost done

The product of Learning

Lessons on Gardening

Practical Demonstration

We've had fun.

What about you?

The New Look at School

2007-04-30T15:54:00.000+05:30

The Summer's here. Along with it the new look at the school campus. I have tried to capture the bright crimson leaves for you, as it beautifies the Center of HOPE.

The Kitchen Garden

2007-04-27T11:54:00.000+05:30

After a while of waiting finally its here! The first vegetables from our own Kitchen Garden. The first harvest were used in the mid-day meal for the school children. It was so exciting for all of us. Check out these pics below.

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Our School Annual Day - Celebration Time

2007-03-12T13:31:00.000+05:30

Our School celebrated its Annual Day on the 9th of March,2007. It also completes 5 years in active service to the community. The day was well spent by cultural events by all the grades at school. All the winners of the Annual Sports Day events received their prizes from the cheif guests, who were : Fr.Kunnath (from Kutch Vikas Trust-KVT invovled with the school from its conception days), Mr.Mark Pitchamuthu and his wife Mrs.Jasmine Pitchamuthu from Mumbai, close friends of the HOPE foundation. The parents, relatives & friends of our students came in good numbers to be part of the evening, which also included a 10 min. video collection of previous events of the year gone by. Most importantly the children of the school enjoyed such break before the Final Examinations in April. Below are few of the pictures of the day. Hope you like it as much as we enjoyed it.

Welcome by pre-primary

Dance by Junior Kindergarten

Dance by 1st Grade

Dance by Muskaan - 1st Grade

Our friends

Dance by Rajpreet - Senior KG

Dance by 2nd & 3rd Grade Girls

Boys of 3rd Grade

Parents with friends

Dance by Dinesh - 2nd Grade

Kitchen Garden

2007-03-04T15:12:00.000+05:30

Dear friends of HOPE.
I am glad to share this news with you. We had planned for a garden within the campus where we could grow vegetables for the school mid-day meal program. In the beginning of Feb'07 we began working on a small patch as a pilot project. It was Mr.Rajakumar (a multi-talented person) working as an admin.asst, who did all the hard work.

The land was tilled and soil loosened, then seeds of Beans, Brinjal, Ladies Finger and Tomato were sowed. As expected the plants have sprouted out and with much care and support we will soon have our home grown vegetable in the mid-day meal menu. Enjoy the pictures!

Part - 1 : The preparation work begins...

Rajakumar watering the patch

Well watered patch

More watering

The patch ready

Part - 2 : The evolution of seeds into plants..

The young sproutings

The patch slightly turning green

A closeup of greenery

The bean patch

The closeup of bean patch

More of these in days to come

Overhead Shot

Few Pictures of Annual Sports Day

2007-02-08T16:21:00.000+05:30

Boys Sack Race

Girls Running Race

Boys Running Race

Teachers Special Song

Girls Sack Race

2007-02-08T10:03:00.000+05:30

The nation of India turned a Republic on the 26th of January, 1950. Since then the country celebrates the day with a lot of respect for its such status. Every state's Governing body would organise the Parade in the respective districts for display of the Police & Defense force. The people of the nation would enjoy a national holiday declared by the Government.

But on the same day in 2001, while many schools were getting ready to have their own Flag hoisting and other activities, a massive earthquake, registering 6.1 in the Richter scale, shook the state of Gujarat, with the cityof Bhuj being the epicenter. Thousands of lives were lost. Even more lives were turned upside down. Life will never be the same for most of the.

HOPE foundation step in to helpinsuch troubled times, with some relief for immediate needs. But the organisation wanted to do more than immediate relief. The idea of a Center of Hope was mooted. The main objective being that a center be created where multiple help can be rendered to those who needed it. Therefore with much help and invlovement the CoH was built.

The CoH in Bhuj consists of a formal School facility, a medical facility and a vocational training facility.

At present the School is functioning with 280 students from preprimary lto 3rd grade level. Under the vocational training program computer training is being given to about 15 students.

This year on 26th January the school celebrated the Republic day by holding it's Annual Sports day events. Though many would still be reliving thememories of the disaster, we thought it would wise to move forward and teach the same to the children learning from us. The pictures here are taken during the day's events. Enjoy them. Say a little prayer for all of the children we are invloved with and also for us that we would have the strength and continue to teach them and nurture them for a better tomorrow.

If you think you or anyone you know could help us in any way pls feel free to contact us.

Have a great day!