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Ananda Sagara (http://www.anandasagara.org/) literally meaning ocean of joy, is an organization providing an ecosystem for children of migrant construction workers to realize their true potential. Amar Daniel Gibran founded Ananda Sagara in 2014 only based on unflinching faith in God.
Amar at Ananda Sagara
The ashram (as Amar fondly calls it) caters to a group of 16-20 children. These children come from families of migrant construction workers who struggle to make ends meet.
Why is this group important and what is the impact on the group?
By the nature of their job, migrant construction workers cannot spend time and focus on their children's lives. The children live in an environment, where even the basic necessities such as hygienic toilet facilities might be missing. Further, there is no guarantee of adequate nutrition for such children. Often, the older children need to take care of their younger siblings when their parents are away at work. This leaves little or no room for the children to participate in classroom learning. Social behavior does not get priority in the overall scheme of things. Often, such children start joining their parents at work from a very early age.
Children of migrant construction workers also deserve to live healthy and enjoy their childhood in a care-free manner. It is therefore important to create an environment where such children can
What brings this impact?
An environment that empowers them with the skills needed to survive in this world, which in turn boosts their self-confidence.
At Ananda Sagara, they start with learning how to clean their mouth well in the morning with neem sticks, and wash their hands with soap before eating their meal. They learn how to eat with their hands, without wasting any food, how to chew and digest well, and then rinse their mouth and wash their hands after finishing their meal. Toilet manners and maintaining hygiene while using the toilet are also a lesson that each child imbibes here.
Each child is taught the importance of sharing and being helpful to others, and that ‘We’ is more important than ‘I’. They learn to be thankful and content with all that they have. Prayer is also an integral part of their daily routine.
While the focus is on the ‘We’, the ‘I’ is not forgotten either.
Therefore, once the fundamentals are taken care of, the focus shifts on reading and writing skills. No effort is spared to make each and every child capable of speaking, reading and writing in Kannada with reasonable fluency. It is indeed amazing as to how these children quickly develop neat handwriting.
The kids are introduced to song, dance, and poetry recitation. This is the platform where hidden talents spring out, and Amar enables in honing these skills further.
The kids are also expected to play daily and exercise with all the in-house (home-grown) facilities. E.g. they have built their own playground complete with a Jungle gym, Malkambh, rope climbing apparatus, and a jigsaw climbing puzzle. They are also constantly thinking of how to make their playground better and innovating on it.
Children at play on the jungle gym
Malkhambh and rope-climbing apparatus
In other words, the strengths, weaknesses and hidden talents of each child are worked upon.
The food that the children eat, is prepared at the ashram's in-house kitchen. So, the nutrition aspect is addressed as well.
Each child also goes to government school regularly with ample support from Amar himself in teaching them what they do not understand well enough (just like parents treat their kids at home). The kids have their sleeping spaces earmarked, and they also have a mini library!
Mini library
Activity Room
The children also cycle around in the premises, and have periodically gone for picnics and long rides / nature walks. They also get their regular health checkups from a friendly neighborhood doctor. The ashram has recently added new residents (read hens, rabbits, turkeys) who have a jolly time too! And talking of the children, their joy has multiplied ever since.
Pets at Ananda Sagara
Organization Details:
Ananda Sagara is currently a registered Trust bearing registration number 351/14-15.
Current Status:
However, all of this comes at a cost.
Amar at Ananda SagaraThe ashram (as Amar fondly calls it) caters to a group of 16-20 children. These children come from families of migrant construction workers who struggle to make ends meet.
Why is this group important and what is the impact on the group?
By the nature of their job, migrant construction workers cannot spend time and focus on their children's lives. The children live in an environment, where even the basic necessities such as hygienic toilet facilities might be missing. Further, there is no guarantee of adequate nutrition for such children. Often, the older children need to take care of their younger siblings when their parents are away at work. This leaves little or no room for the children to participate in classroom learning. Social behavior does not get priority in the overall scheme of things. Often, such children start joining their parents at work from a very early age.
Children of migrant construction workers also deserve to live healthy and enjoy their childhood in a care-free manner. It is therefore important to create an environment where such children can
- Learn the basics of personal hygiene,
- Eat nutritious food,
- Be free from care-giving responsibilities,
- Learn to read, write and speak the local language
- Learn the value of, and inculcate self discipline
- Be able to play and exercise regularly to keep themselves fit, and
- Discover their creative talent, and be able to confidently showcase the same
What brings this impact?
An environment that empowers them with the skills needed to survive in this world, which in turn boosts their self-confidence.
At Ananda Sagara, they start with learning how to clean their mouth well in the morning with neem sticks, and wash their hands with soap before eating their meal. They learn how to eat with their hands, without wasting any food, how to chew and digest well, and then rinse their mouth and wash their hands after finishing their meal. Toilet manners and maintaining hygiene while using the toilet are also a lesson that each child imbibes here.
Each child is taught the importance of sharing and being helpful to others, and that ‘We’ is more important than ‘I’. They learn to be thankful and content with all that they have. Prayer is also an integral part of their daily routine.
While the focus is on the ‘We’, the ‘I’ is not forgotten either.
Therefore, once the fundamentals are taken care of, the focus shifts on reading and writing skills. No effort is spared to make each and every child capable of speaking, reading and writing in Kannada with reasonable fluency. It is indeed amazing as to how these children quickly develop neat handwriting.
The kids are introduced to song, dance, and poetry recitation. This is the platform where hidden talents spring out, and Amar enables in honing these skills further.
The kids are also expected to play daily and exercise with all the in-house (home-grown) facilities. E.g. they have built their own playground complete with a Jungle gym, Malkambh, rope climbing apparatus, and a jigsaw climbing puzzle. They are also constantly thinking of how to make their playground better and innovating on it.
Children at play on the jungle gym Malkhambh and rope-climbing apparatusIn other words, the strengths, weaknesses and hidden talents of each child are worked upon.
The food that the children eat, is prepared at the ashram's in-house kitchen. So, the nutrition aspect is addressed as well.
Each child also goes to government school regularly with ample support from Amar himself in teaching them what they do not understand well enough (just like parents treat their kids at home). The kids have their sleeping spaces earmarked, and they also have a mini library!
Mini library Activity RoomThe children also cycle around in the premises, and have periodically gone for picnics and long rides / nature walks. They also get their regular health checkups from a friendly neighborhood doctor. The ashram has recently added new residents (read hens, rabbits, turkeys) who have a jolly time too! And talking of the children, their joy has multiplied ever since.
Pets at Ananda SagaraOrganization Details:
Ananda Sagara is currently a registered Trust bearing registration number 351/14-15.
Current Status:
However, all of this comes at a cost.
- The recurring operational expenses for the ashram runs to around Rs. 56700/- per month.
The current outstanding amount is Rs 1,04,974, the breakup is as follows
The operational costs need to be covered on a ongoing basis. The per month costing can be split into:
Fixed infrastructure cost per month:
Currently there are 16 children at the ashram.
Variable cost per month for 16 kids:
Donate:
Summary:
Ananda Sagara needs your support in immediately clearing the outstanding dues of Rs. 1,04,974. Further, Ananda Sagara would require Rs. 56700/- monthly in order to sustain itself.
We seek your support to help Ananda Sagara reach the following goal:
Rs. 104974 (current outstanding as of 1st November 2017) + Rs. 6,80,400/- (Rs. 56700 x 12) = Rs. 7,85,374/-.
Contact Details:
Address:
No. 73, Kyalasanahalli, Near Byrathi Ayyappa Temple,Bengaluru - 560 077
Landmark: Legacy School, off Hennur Road
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/RaRKh9SNnFs
Phone: 9740832920
Website: http://www.anandasagara.org/
Email id: amardaniel@anandasagara.org
- 3 months of Rent - Rs.82,500/-
- 3 months of Electricity bill - Rs. 6274/-
- Water Bill - Rs. 2200/-
- 2 months of Cook's salary - Rs. 8000/-
- 2 months of Kannada Tutor's salary - Rs. 6000/-
The operational costs need to be covered on a ongoing basis. The per month costing can be split into:
Fixed infrastructure cost per month:
| Expense Head | Amount (Rs) |
| Rent | 27500 |
| Electricity | 2100 |
| Cook | 4000 |
| Kannada Tutor | 3000 |
| Total | 36600 |
Currently there are 16 children at the ashram.
Variable cost per month for 16 kids:
| Expense Head | Amount (Rs) |
| Drinking Water | 3600 |
| Domestic Water | 3000 |
| Milk | 2100 |
| Cooking LPG Cylinder | 2000 |
| Provisions | 7000 |
| Vegetables | 2400 |
| Total | 20,100 |
Donate:
- Rs. 1300/- to cover variable costs for one child for one month.
- Rs. 27500/- to cover rent for one month.
- Rs. 2100/- to cover electricity costs for one month.
- Rs. 4000/- to cover salary for cook for one month
- Rs. 3000/- to cover salary for Kannada tutor for one month
Summary:
Ananda Sagara needs your support in immediately clearing the outstanding dues of Rs. 1,04,974. Further, Ananda Sagara would require Rs. 56700/- monthly in order to sustain itself.
We seek your support to help Ananda Sagara reach the following goal:
Rs. 104974 (current outstanding as of 1st November 2017) + Rs. 6,80,400/- (Rs. 56700 x 12) = Rs. 7,85,374/-.
Contact Details:
Address:
No. 73, Kyalasanahalli, Near Byrathi Ayyappa Temple,Bengaluru - 560 077
Landmark: Legacy School, off Hennur Road
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/RaRKh9SNnFs
Phone: 9740832920
Website: http://www.anandasagara.org/
Email id: amardaniel@anandasagara.org
