As we stood outside the Early Learning Centre after its dedication on 8th of April, 2014 we were overcome by fulfilment and joy.
Since we started welcoming pre-school children for individual leaning six months back, we were feeling the pressure of space and facilities to make the learning programme optimally beneficial for children.
That was the time when Susan suggested during our debriefing time that we request the management to allot us a bungalow, meant for the faculty, which was lying vacant for a while. Our request was favourably considered. The house needed modifications and adaptations for making it a child friendly setting.
It has a compound which has now got converted into a ply area for children with some play equipment, sandpit, water and ball play areas. The seven rooms in the house have been made appropriate for different functions to promote child development. There is a a creative learning area which is rather special and hopefully would expand to include many facilities to connect children with the environment.
I have been touched by the enthusiasm and contribution of my colleagues, medical students, and some volunteers to design, decorate and evolve the facility to what it is now after three months of much effort and perseverance. The financial contributions came form the management, ASHIRVD and some well wishers.
Anna mentioned the other day that it is the seventh facility of childhood development and learning facility we were enabled to start, since ASHIRVAD came into being in 1983. As we recall these beginnings at Chennai, Nagpur, Vellore, Pondicherry and now at Kolenchery, we feel that, ‘it was the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes’.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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