ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013 - Prajwala

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNING BODYIt is always a proud moment when a child gets promoted to the next class with good marks and inthis case the pleasure is more enhanced because they have passed with flying colors and in firstdivision. And if that is not enough three of the girls have got a double promotion and have movedto a higher class. There is a message in this for all of us. It is a question of who is getting theopportunity and as a board member I am truly happy to say that Prajwala is acting as a conduitbetween the girls and the opportunities available in life for the girls.It has always been Sunitha Krishnan's endeavor to make the girls feel at home and she has an ableteam helping her do that, but constant efforts are needed to keep the friendly atmospherehappening. The recent experiment with 'Sakhi' or friend is workingwell. The need is to have a friend once you come from a traumatizedoutside world and that is what a Sakhi will do. She will be the friend,hold hands with the girls till they are able to be on their own and feel athome. Who does not need a friend? All of us do and it is this friend whohelps us move from the dark to the light by guiding us, holding ourhand and helping us cross those forgettable moments. This exerciseshould do wonders for the girls at the home. In a world where everything is in a state of flux,Prajwala should remain a safe haven for the girls.Protection of human rights is a concept we have taken for granted. We think it should comenaturally. If man is free he should go about without fear of life or abuse, but tragically abuse issecond nature to the human and nothing we say or do is going to change that fact. But atPrajwala the effort is ever on, to lend dignity, to give a 'humanness' to some of the most debasedcases, because here we believe that though we are born into this life free, there are other factorsthat come into play, snatching the freedom of some. We would like people to know that we are hereto protect them, take care of them.We use the word 'mainstream' with great ease for we are there and we enjoy the ability tounderstand how to be in it. For those who have not had that privilege even a small step towards'normalcy' is like a huge trek. This must be understood and appreciated by the rest of us. Which iswhy we at Prajwala are celebrating school results. Results which make us proud and remind us ofour privileges and positions.Lalita IyerTreasurer6