This summer arrived with a dual intensity, the scorching heat and the escalating activities at Bal Asha. For the children we support, summer vacations are not just a break from school but an opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. 

Every year, we organize a Summer Fiesta Camp, a dedicated 60-day program filled with activities designed to engage, educate, and empower. From outdoor visits to art and craft, from self-awareness workshops to games, each day is carefully planned to ensure the children are not just occupied but enriched.

One of the unique aspects of this camp is the involvement of volunteers. These dedicated individuals come from various backgrounds, colleges, corporate groups, and community organizations and play a crucial role in making the camp a success. We provide our volunteers a well-documented volunteering program well in advance of the summer. This preparation ensures that the volunteers can plan their schedules and contribute meaningfully to the camp. 

Their commitment mirrors our own, as we strive to create an environment where every child feels valued and supported.

The Summer Fiesta activities are thoughtfully designed to cater to different age groups. The themes of the camp are carefully selected to provide a well-rounded experience. Outdoor games, art and craft, psychological exercises like trust-building and compliment-sharing, cooking sessions, and value-building activities are all part of the program.  From cooking sessions where children made delicious sev puri to memory games, story-building exercises, and creative art projects like vegetable painting and wall hangings, each activity is tailored to the children’s abilities and interests. The volunteers, many of whom return year after year, are consistently amazed by the children’s resilience and creativity.

Volunteers often remark on how Bal Asha’s efforts mirror the care and preparation a family would put into planning a summer vacation.

Another touching activity involved the children packing care packets with essentials like toothpaste, brushes, and soap, which they personally delivered to residents of an old age home. These acts of kindness not only instill a sense of responsibility but also teach the children the value of caring for others.

The camp will culminate in June with a two day trip outside Mumbai, offering the children a chance to explore new environments and create lasting memories.

The impact of these activities is profound. The children develop a range of skills, mental, physical, and social while continuing their regular pursuits like music, dance, and football. Simple tasks like making a sandwich become important life skills, fostering independence and self-reliance. Additionally, activities focused on self-awareness help the children process their emotions and experiences, providing them with tools to navigate their challenges.

At the end of the program, each child receives a personalized certificate, celebrating their participation and achievements.