1. Name of the Organisation: A Project of Schools of the World
2. Centre Name: Joyjeet Das Memorial School
3. Title of the Project: Restoring the Childhood
4. Duration of the Project: From October 2007 to September 2008
5. Operational area/location: Southern part of Kolkata, under Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward No.94, covering 6 slums of the area.
6. Reporting Period: Quarterly

300 children with age ranging from 3 to 14 years are on the roll. But it is noticed that a few number of children have been dropped out in the mid session due to some unavoidable reason or other. The children are mainly dwellers of the adjoining slums of JJD Memorial School.
.
Education :
1. Area – wise activities details:

Substantial increase is seen in learning outcome of all vulnerable children enrolled in the JJD Memorial School
The attendance level of children in both formal and non-formal school increased, except a few who have been shifted due to the eviction of land they were settled.
The awareness for education and the eagerness of going to school inculcate a sense of discipline in the student.
Finally, children of this area are 1st generation learner and seldom have the opportunity to discuss studies or share their experience of school with their parents and the JJD Memorial School meets this demand of the children and makes a deep student-teacher relationship which plays an important role to maintain the studies of the students.
All the students take part in educational as well as co curricular activities in JJD Memorial School.

Observed/experienced attitudinal changes in the parents.

A major change in outlook is perceived among the parents of the children of JJD Memorial School regarding the importance of schooling, punctuality, cleanliness etc.

Observing the interest and progress of their children in studies and other relevant activities each and every parent of this area feels an urge to admit their ward to JJD Memorial School as they lulls a hope to see their children as a good citizen of future.
Parents always come ahead to any kind of help they could render to the school which they believe will help in providing not only education to their children but also develop them as total human being.

Communities of the 6 slums are aware of the need for education, protection and development rights of their children and want to ensure the same.
Community always stands beside the need of the school. They participate in each and every programme held at the school. Stretching their helping hand in every occasion is a pleasure to them.
Community people always try to protect the school area from any kind of disturbances.
Policy makers and planners at state and district levels are sensitized and oriented on child protection and quality education issues.
Finally the community is determined to maintain the peace of this area for the sake of their Gen-X education.

6. Any other changes experienced
A considerable improvement has been noticed in the behaviour of the community people. They are now aware of the fact that school can bring changes in the life of their children. Children could learn to be disciplined and instead of hovering in the market place in the evening or playing or merely gossiping they could sit around their teacher to study or gather around their music teacher for an evening prayer in the school.

Shortage of space inside school premises which acts as a hindrance to admit more children, though the study session are divided into several shifts and the school runs in full swing throughout the day.
There is also scarcity for office space
Drop-out of children for inhabitable reason like eviction of slums.
Noise due to heavy traffic on the main road just beside the school

10. Parents’ Meeting :
Parents’ Meeting for the morning section and follow-up student of JJD Memorial School was held simultaneously. A general discussion on students’ regular attendance at school got the pre-eminence in the meeting followed by the topic of cleanliness and health and hygiene. Parents were told to take proper care of their children and protect them from any type of abuse. They were made aware of different kind of violence occurred in the family and society. They were taught to give same importance to both of their male and female child. But with great sorrow it was seen that they maintain a great distinction between boys and girls. Therefore a resolution was taken to divert them from this rigid mentality in the next meeting.

11. Teachers’ Meeting
Teachers’ Meeting was arranged. A proposal for a new flat for school space on rent was one of the topics of conversation. Duty roster of teachers for midday meal was prepared.
Review of previous work has been done.

12. Community meeting:

Community meeting was held at the Barobagan slum area. The topic of communal harmony was the main objective of this meeting as the religious festivals of both the Hindu and Muslim communities were on the forefront. Every one in the community was requested to hold and spread serenity and harmony.

13. Medical Camp

A. Bowbazar Netaji Subhas Health and Education Society.

A Medical camp for children was organized by Bowbazar Netaji Subhas Health and Education Society.
This society is organized by senior doctors and intern of Government Hospitals. 240 children were visited by the doctors on that day.

On 31st January 2008 Joyjeet Das Memorial School organized a medical camp sponsored by Canara Bank and supported by ‘SMILE on Wheels’ run by Kolkata Police and Bhagirathi Neotia Hospital.

The health camp included an inauguration ceremony followed by general health check-up of 125 children along with their blood-grouping test. Each child has been issued a health card stating the age and blood-group of the child and some prescribed medicines.

It is a mobile hospital from Smile Foundation. Taking into account the ignorance and negligence of the slum dwelling parents in the general health check up and emergency treatment of their children, it was a bliss that the ‘Smile on wheels’ reached at the doorstep of Joyjeet Das Memorial School. Three doctors attended 85 children simultaneously and prescribed the relevant treatment and medicine or tests. Blood group test was also done by the mobile hospital. There was a doctor’s cabin and a petite surgical facility inside the Mobile Van.

The programme was made a grand success with the presence of Mr. K.M. Mishra, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank, Kolkata as the Chief Guest.

Other honourable guests were Mr. Partha Roy, Dy. Director, SMILE Foundation, Kolkata; Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Officer, Kolkata Police; Mr. Swetabuddin Khondekar, local councilor and Mr. Gautam Banerji, District Committee Member.

Dr. Md. Javed & Dr. Amit Sarkar from Bhagirathi Neotia and Dr. Sanjay Gupta of SMILE on Wheels gave the necessary medical support. According to them, most of these children are suffering from malnutrition and stomach problems.

At the end of the camp lunch was served to the guests by the Alpha Foundation which is a daily affair for the children of the JJD Memorial School.

A girl of the area who is a follow-up student of JJD Memorial School was on the very moment crossing the busy road on her way to school came across a taxi. She was brought to the medical camp for immediate care and support.

14. Other Events/activities organized :
A. Exhibition of Painting :
A renowned doctor Dr. Helgo Meyer Hamme from Humburg, Germany and Mr. & Mrs David William (ex-employee of B.B.C. from U.K honoured the occasion as chief guests fro the painting exhibition. Prizes were distributed and a grand dinner was served to all the student and stuff members. This function was sponsored by Ms. Nicole William, an U.N.O employee from U.K.

On 14th November, Children’s Day was celebrated at Joyjeet Das Memorial School. Friends of Joyjeet arranged a close ceremony with the children and stuff members of the school. They distributed pencil boxes, erasers, pencils, wafers among students.
The Alpha Foundation served a delicious dinner of vegetable polao and mixed vegetable curry along with sweetmeat to all.

Smile Foundation, a Delhi headquartered social venture philanthropist came forward to work with Joyjeet Das Memorial School under the Schools of the World Project. On 23th December 2007 they handed over a cheque as 1st quarter installment as the project has already been operational from November 2007. The project aims to ensure continuity of the education of the under privileged children of Joyjeet Das Memorial School at 61, Prince Anwar Shah Road,
Kolkata – 700033. Guests from Smile Foundation were presented
the honour of lighting the lamp and thereby declare the function open. In order to make this auspicious moment a great reminiscent the school organized a ‘Winter Carnival’ with all its Patrons, Well-wishers, and Staff members and obviously with its Children. The programme was started with an opening song by the teachers and students. Even the Chief Managing Trustee Ms. Shimanti Das join the chorus. It was followed by dance and recitation by the Follow-up students of Joyjeet Das Memorial School.
Mr. Sibabrata Roy, the President member of Indo German Society and renowned Social activist from Humburg, Germany and a recipient of Bharat Samman acted as Honourable Chief Guest. Mr.B.D. Sharma (IPS) Inspector General of Police, West Bengal was the Guest of Honour.
Both Promised to stay beside the mammoth initiation of JJD Memorial School.
The function ended with a sumptuous meal of ‘Khichri and Sweets’ served to all children, guests and staff members.