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SJBHS in collaboration with the Parent Teacher Association of the school organizes an Outreach programme on August 19, 2024. Liza’s Home – Outreach for Std 9A
Located in Doddagubbi, Kothanur, the students travelled 16 kilometres to the Home which provides shelter and care to the old and the disabled. The students assembled in the precincts of the Home at the Christ Methodist Church. They were briefed about the co-founders and their vision statement. The inmates then sang and danced surprising the visitors with their melodious voices, trendy moves, and beaming smiles. The students were enthralled with the pure joy that their visit had brought to the Home. They, too, danced, sang, and clapped and were part of a shared joy. The students visited the premises and saw for themselves the facilities that were provided to the inmates who also prepared towels, shawls, scarfs, and pickles to fund the running of the Home. The visit was an eye-opener as the day saw a connect of the students with reality, social awareness, and care for the elderly.

SOS Children’s Village – Outreach for Std 9B
SOS Children’s Village in Bangalore is a community dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for children who have lost their parents. The village, one of 32 across India, offers these children a stable and loving home until they reach the age of 23. Each of the 10 cottages in this village hosts 8-10 children, under the care of a dedicated “mother” who manages household duties and provides emotional support. During the visit, the students were welcomed into one of the cottages where they met Shanthamma, a mother to eight abandoned daughters. She shared insights into the daily life at the village, including the structured timetable for meals and activities. The village also prioritizes the education and holistic development of the children, covering their school fees and encouraging participation in extracurricular activities. This experience offered the students a deep understanding of how SOS Children’s Villages strive to give these children a semblance of normalcy and the opportunity to grow up in a family-like environment.

Charlie’s Animal Resue Centre – Outreach for Std 9C
Charlie’s Animal Rescue Centre is a place dedicated to rehabilitating unfortunate animals abandoned by their owners. The exceptional care provided by the people at the centre was evident in the behaviour of the animals. The adorable puppies were given ample space to play, they were full of energy and very healthy. The students were allowed to interact with and play with these puppies in a safe and friendly manner. Additionally, an informative session on rabies was delivered and students learnt how to approach street dogs. The boys had many fun experiences with the various animals, including Captain, a lively and friendly boxer who had been abandoned by his previous owners due to a joint deformity. The barn animals were a beautiful mix of creatures, all of whom felt loved and well cared for. The entire experience was nothing short of life-changing, making the students truly reconsider how they view these unfortunate animals.

Children's Creativity Centre (CCC), L R Nagar - Outreach for 9D
CCC helps in providing underprivileged students with a space grow and learn. They provide tutors and help the students with their homework and several other educational activities. The CCC's vision is to foster transformative leadership with values that promote equality, justice, and dignity for people and the environment. Its mission is to create spaces and opportunities for holistic education, empowering women, youth, children, and men to become leaders, address injustice and inequality, and build inclusive, equitable, and just communities.

Global Concerns India (GCI), which supports the CCC, is a non-profit, community-based organization that advocates for children’s and women’s rights. The day’s activities began by viewing a PowerPoint presentation that was made to enhance the students’ understanding of the working of the organisation. Following this, the inmates showcased their performances. They sang, danced, and shared many moments of joy and laughter. The interactions were incredibly enriching, allowing the students to engage deeply with the children, sharing moments of fun and mutual support. The day was both heartwarming and educational. The visiting students were grateful for the opportunity to interact with the inmates and to experience the significant work being done at CCC to uplift vulnerable communities.

Association of People with Disability (APD) – Outreach for 9E
APD houses specially-abled inmates and their mainstay is horticulture. The growing of ornamental plants like roses, orchids, begonia, etc. is their forte. After the introductions, the students were taken on a brief tour of the area, starting with the plants that require shade and semi-shade to grow. They learnt about mother plants. Mother plants are the original plant from which the other “offspring” plants are grown. The students were taught various methods of vegetative propagation, all about aquatic plants like Water Lily and Lotus, and how weeds disrupt the good growth of the ornamental plants. The students, however, were impressed that the people who are considered differently-abled and cannot do regular work had turned their misfortune around by growing plants, selling them, and making life worth living. The inmates and the visiting students danced, sang, and expressed their gratitude to each other for a day well spent!

The Outreach programmes for Std IX were a major success with the students becoming aware of the lives of the less fortunate, understanding the needs of the people shunned by society, and deciphering the need for more social sensitization from the government and the citizens of Bangalore.