Tag: girls

shuktara - Tamina smiling face

Tamina at Lula Bari, the girls’ home

Posted on by shuktara

14th January 2016
Today, Tamina didn't go to school - not a huge problem because two tutors come every day to work with the girls at Lula Bari.

Nandita di comes during the day and does needlework (see some examples we have put on the wall behind Tamina), yoga and exercise. Then in the evening Priyanka comes to help with homework and often stays over and spends the night there.

Since Tamina is full of energy it's good for her to have activities to keep her interested and busy.

To read more about Tamina, please click here.

Muniya with her doll Trijntje and behind her Moni with Fenna

Upcycled dolls from Holland come to Lula Bari

Posted on by shuktara

Girls at Lula Bari and their repurposed dolls

Completely upcycled dolls renamed and reclothed in vintage and brought from Holland to Kolkata by Willeke who started Stichting Help2Help.

Ellie in Holland had the idea to collect old dolls and make new clothes and give new names for each of them. She did this for our friend Willeke and her group Stichting Help2Help to raise money towards the running of our girls home which is called Lula Bari.

There are more dolls available - contact Maura at mseeds.maura@gmail.com if you would like to donate and receive your Lula Bari doll!

Tamina with Sara

shuktara - Tamina and her doll Sara

Lali with Daphne

shuktara - Lali and her doll Daphne

Moni with Fenna

shuktara - Moni with her doll Fenna

Guria with Norah

shuktara - Guria and her doll Norah

Muniya with Trijntje & Moni

shuktara - Muniya with her doll Trijntje and behind her Moni with Fenna

upcycled dolls from Holland

shuktara - upcycled dolls from Holland

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria and Prity

Visiting Lula Bari on Kali Puja

Posted on by shuktara

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria and Prity

Guria and Prity

Kali Puja is the holiday after Durga Puja, celebrated right before Diwali, the festival of lights. The exterior of Bengali houses are lit up with dozens, sometimes hundreds of little candles and fireworks start going off as soon as the sun goes down.

A visit to the girls' home, Lula Bari, was a wonderful way to celebrate the festival of Kali, the goddess of Kolkata. A few visitors from abroad were invited to meet the girls and young women of shuktara, sharing sweets and laughter.

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Muniya

Muniya

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Louise and Muniya

Tamina

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Moni

Moni

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Alison and Muniya

Muniya

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria, Pappu and Lali

Guria & Lali

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria, Pappu and Lali

Guria & Lali

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria

Guria

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Guria

Guria

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Louise, Muniya and Christi

Muniya

2015 Kali Puja - shuktara Lula Bari - Lali

Lali
shuktara - Guria, new girl at Lula Bari

Guria – new girl at Lula Bari!

Posted on by shuktara

Learning to expect the unexpected…

29th September 2015
After Pappu's visit to Childline and his agreement to bring the new girl to Lula Bari, we were all ready and today at lunchtime, we were brought someone completely different.

Meet Guria...

Clearly she needs love, care, attention and a home right now, so even though they brought someone we weren't expecting, we are sure she is right and we are all really happy to welcome her.

Her paperwork from The Kolkata Police say that she was found "lying on the road" on 17th August at 7:05 pm and has since been in a night shelter. Her medical report states that she is "mentally ill", but we can inform you right now, that this little one is as bright as a button and really ready to communicate. She is hearing, but non verbal and already seems to be settled into her new home and very happy after a chicken and rice lunch.

Watch our Facebook page for more photos and news from Pappu about what happened to the other girl.

Rakhi at shuktara

Posted on by shuktara

Every year in August the 'sisters' of shuktara come to the boys home and tie rakhi on the wrists of their 'brothers' to show their affection. Across most of India the same thing happens - with brothers and sisters who are related by blood but also when that strong family bond is felt between unrelated people. It is a celebration that everyone at shuktara can participate in, and everyone enjoys this festival immensely.

[from Wikipedia] Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot of protection". The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters. The sister performs a Rakhi ceremony, then prays to express her love and her wish for the well being of her brother; in return, the brother ritually pledges to protect and take care of his sister under all circumstances.

The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members, sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women. To many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa, and typically falls in August every year.