Adam Thompson, Chairman of Shuktara Trust UK, along with his wife Kate and their two children spent last weekend (19th and 20th October) in Kolkata seeing Pappu and spending time between Anna Bari and Lula Bari. Below are photos from their visit.
Dolyatra is celebrated in March on varying dates each year, depending on the position of the moon, and this year it fell on March 7. The holiday is similar to Holi and commemorates the last festival of the Bengali calendar.
Sports Day for REACH students was held on Sunday, 19 February.
In the running race Tamina came 1st (!) and Lali came 3rd.
Puja was awarded first prize in the austism running group but she is unable to have the medal around her head or stand on podium.
Bappa and Sumon were pushed in the wheelchair race and both received prizes.
Moni chose not to participate and sat to watch.
Thank you to Dev Ambuly our amazing dance teacher for his work at shuktara and to the team at RJ Photography & Films for shooting this video for our puja celebrations.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!
We celebrated Holi on Friday, 18th March, which is always looked forward to and enjoyed by everyone.
Our Dance Tutor Dev Ambuly (see photo above) came over especially to visit the two homes and as you can see, our new Puja is thoroughly enjoying herself in her new surroundings at Lula Bari.
The initial group of shuktara residents who received their first vaccine have now received their second and everyone who lives and works at shuktara continues to be well.
You may remember that Pappu chose the group who spend more time outside the homes to be vaccinated, in the hope it would protect them, their families and the more vulnerable ones that are in Lula Bari and Anna Bari. This seems to have worked and as I said – everyone is and has always stayed well.
Our hopes and dreams of the Shuktara Cakes Café are happening slowly, with teams here and in Kolkata working to make sure everything is done properly, legally and safely.
Pappu will be working with a consultant who has already set up three cafes in Kolkata. They will prepare a thoroughly costed business plan and budget so the Shuktara Trust UK trustees can ensure the cafe can operate cost effectively both in the short and long term.
I really appreciate all the support you have shown since 1999 and now that things are safer the UK trustees and I will be able to get together soon to discuss fundraising strategies to continue supporting the homes, ensuring that they have more than sufficient funds for shuktara’s annual running costs and get the Shuktara Cakes Cafe off the ground.
Of course, any of you that wish to run marathons or help us in any way – please get in touch!!!!!!!!!
My very best wishes
David Earp
We have another Puja at Lula Bari!
This is Puja Basak who has been living alone in a small room after the death of her parents.
The other residents from her building who have been looking after her got in touch with Pappu as the landlord wants to rent the room.
Some of them came along with Pappu to see Lula Bari, her new home.
Puja is happy to be here with the rest of the shuktara family to start a new life which will be a little more busy than it has been for her living alone in her small room.
We look forward to seeing her thrive.
Ziffit is partnered with Virgin Money Giving to allow you to donate 100% of the value of your unwanted books, CDs, DVDs, and games into cash donations to Shuktara Trust (UK).
You can donate the value of your unwanted stuff to charity – without leaving your home – through Ziffit.
Click here to find out more about Ziffit and download the app.
