Monthly News letter (August, 2001)

A variety of activities made the month of August a hectic one. With Onam, the annual festival of Keralites round the corner, there was excitement in the air. For the school going residents of Mandiram the term examination had to be tackled first. They were busy with it from 10th to 24th. Meanwhile the festivities began on the 22nd, 10 days before Thiru Onam, on the Atham day when the girls started decorating the courtyard with flowers. This would continue till 31st and every day they had to find more and more flowers to make different designs. Spring cleaning, shopping for new clothes and preparing for the celebrations kept the older girls and the office bearers on their toes. On the 25th
Mandiram formally celebrated the festival with some of its well wishers and friends. Athapoo (Floral decorations) competitions were held. The girls put up a dance and music program to entertain the guests. Many of the former residents and employees joined us and took active part in the festivities. An elaborate Onam Sadhya (Feast) was prepared by the grown up girls which was very much appreciated by the guests. The Lions Club of Trivandrum was the main sponsor of the feast. 

In Trivandrum Onam bazaars were held at many places. Mahila Mandiram took part in 2 of them to sell end products from the weaving and tailoring units.

The main festival Thiru Onam on 31st was celebrated with traditional merry making and feasting. Many of our former residents, now employed in various agencies in Trivandrum and outside came home to join the celebrations.

Developmental Activities Planned

The office bearers have been busy this month planning the new projects. The new location for the group homes project has been identified and is to be developed into a VILLAGE of rare individuality to host a variety of service activities. Some of them are:

Here are some pictures from August:

We look forward to more activities in September.