Aseema’s priority is to ensure the health of its children. Our volunteer Paediatricians visit our centres regularly and carry out a complete health check-up of the children.

Eye camps and dental camps are regularly conducted and follow-up treatment provided.

A nutritious meal is provided to all the children every day and a special meal on festive occasions and at birthday celebrations which are organized every three months.

Our art teacher has discovered the hidden potential of a number of children who are exceptionally talented in drawing and painting. Their art is spontaneous and uninhibited, their innate understanding of aesthetics is mature and moving. It was the faith of our art teacher and volunteers in the potential of the children that motivated the Centre to take part in a number of art competitions, exhibitions and melas (fairs).

Recently we set up an Art Studio at the PCMS where our young children work independently with guidance from an artist - in - residence, who has been sponsored by TBWA\ India. The Art studio reflects the philosophy of a movement “Room 13” where art is not “taught” or imposed but is a unique expression of an individual child artist. Our young artists enjoy referring to art books in the Art Library which has been sponsored by a generous donor.

The children regularly put up short skits and have dance performances, both at the Annual Day function at school as well as at different venues in the city.

We have been able to reach out to a greater number of families and children thanks to the regular visits of our social worker to the community. The social worker acts as a link between the community and the school and ensures that the children attend school regularly. The increase in enrollment at the school has largely been due to the efforts put in by the social worker to see that every child is in school.
The social worker also prepares detailed case studies of each child at Aseema. The Vidya Trust has supported this work for several years. Please visit Vidya Trust at www.vidya.org.uk

We have found that many of our children have emotional problems which, in turn, hampers their performance in the classroom. Unless these are tackled, to expect a child to grow, develop and learn in the class is not possible. Hence a Counselling Centre was started in July 2006. This provides a space where a child is listened to with respect and empathy.

Aseema also works with the parents who come from underprivileged socio-economic backgrounds. We find that parents are increasingly taking responsibility for their child's education and feel that once the parents understand the value of education, many problems will sort themselves out. Parent-Teacher meetings are held every term and many mothers, who are helpers at Aseema are taught the value of savings and are encouraged to save every month.

An annual event which arouses a lot of excitement is the Harmony Show organized by Reliance Industries at the Nehru Centre, Worli. We have been invited to this show for the past five years. The Harmony Show serves as a platform for Aseema to display and sell the beautiful art, as well as all the various products made from the art.

Every year we take part in about twenty exhibitions and sales in Mumbai.

This has helped raise money needed to run our educational activities and will assist us to eventually become self-sufficient. It has also helped to enhance the children’s self- esteem as the children enjoy seeing their artwork being appreciated and bought. While the children are not involved in production or marketing activity, they are very proud of the fact that through their designs and their work, they are able to give back something to the Centre.