On the 4^th August, 2020 Free To Be Kids Girl’s Home children participated the programme, “To Stop Human Trafficking” organised by the District Child Protection Unit, Kolkata. The DCPU, Kolkata organised the Slogan Writing and Poster Making Competition To Stop Human Trafficking, with the entire Children’s Homes of Kolkata. Free To Be Kids Girl’s Home Children actively participated in the competition. This was the good experience for the children to enhance their skills and talents. It was also a great platform to exchange knowledge with others. Our children were very happy to interact with other children living in Kolkata District.

Independence 2020 was well celebrate with the Children from both our Girl's Home and Boy's Home.

We Celebrated the 15^th August Independence Day Programme within the grounds of our Girl's Home. The Children performed songs and dances on that day. Mr. Sugata Mazumdar, Mr. Kausik Bhattacharya, Mr. Bikash Dutta and Mr. Sarkar came to attend the programme from Rotary Club, Behala. Mr. Sugata Mazumdar, President of Rotary Club, Behala was the Chief Guest of the programme. He gave an encouraging speech on Independence Day. The Rotarians donated snacks for the children. The programme end with a Tree Planting Ceremony.

We are very thankful for our local donors who are supporting us at this critical time. Recently we received food and provisions from the very generous members of the Kolkata Lal Bazzar Police. Their team handed over to our staff, at our front gate, various items like rice, potatoes, oil, personal hygienic items, soap, masks and much more.

In addition to this members of our local community delivered necessary rations to help us provide for the children and staff living in our Children's Homes. All of these items are so helpful in our cause to provide care and protection.

We are very thankful for the kindness and generosity of our Kolkata Community.

Staff and Children have received education on how to protect themselves and others around them by covering their mouths, washing their hands, cleaning surfaces regularly and keeping a safe distance from others!

Before the lockdown was initiated, our team had the opportunity to conduct sessions on Hand Washing and Basic Hygiene, to help the children and communities we work with to be protected. Although our Education and Nutrition Program in the Slums has been temporarily put on hold, our team is still in connection with the community leaders, who are currently reporting the areas where our projects run are all managing ok at this time. When the lockdown is lifted, we will have an opportunity to visit these areas, resume our programs and assess whether the community is in need of extra support in any way.

The virus may have limited our movement outside, but has given us the chance to be more creative! Take a look at the Wall Murals that the children designed and painted during lockdown

Due to the lockdown in Kolkata we have had to stop any visits from outside support staff.  To continue the Children's access to this help & development we have moved to online support in as many areas as possible. The great Carers and House Parents residing within our Children's Homes continue their work and the children are being well taken care of & are able to access their rights! A break from normal routines has been received well and has provided lots of opportunities for simply enjoying more time together!

     This year started with us celebrating our 10th Anniversary of working with Children and Families in Need in Kolkata! 

We have seen children come through our Children's Homes and be safe, educated, given life skills and counselling to meet their needs and now we are seeing those children reintegrate into the community and be successful in life!

In our community we have seen Children and Families strengthened through our Education and Nutrition Programs, Education Support, Health Programs, Literacy Training, Computer Courses and Child Protection Programs.

We look forward to many more years of working with Children and Families in Need!

The Children in our Residential Care have enjoyed quite a number of celebrations over the past months including Diwali, Christmas, New Years and most recently Holi! By participating in these celebrations the children learn through enjoying!

Education is so important for all and we are happy to see the children in our Children's Homes be able to access the education that need to be successful in life! We know that these days of education will provide a great foundation for the future!