Report by Asawari

Chrysallis is an institute where they help special challenged children. Diana has formed this institute. Chrysallis do Christmas parties for children who are deaf, blind, dumb, mentally challenged, special needs, poor economic background. We give our time, love and efforts to these children. This is 9th year of gifting at Chrysallis.

I am doing it because I want to give, my love and time to people need it. When I give I feel generous. ALWAYS MORE NEVER LESS. I want to help special children to feel as enjoyed like a ordinary child. We went to meetings and learnt a few songs-its a beautiful day,friend friend. We thought the activity, decorations, Party Preparation.

On Sunday 7th Dec, 2008, I went to Gerizum (Ezipura, Bangalore) in the morning.
This is a home for mentally challenged children.  We decorated the room with balloons and streamers. Heena was the team leader. When the children entered we pI put Tattoos on their hands. Other didiis put streamers on heir wrist. Then the children settled down. We did the friend song and its a beautiful day. After that we did Boogie-Woogie sand chicken dance. After that we gave them cutouts related to Christmas, they colored with crayons and we stuck it on the banner. When they were asking me to color with them - I felt nice and happy to be involved as I also like to color and they were telling me to how to color and where to color like dhrupad does this with me. After the activity Santa came and gave sweets to them. papa was Santa. The children then went back to  their rooms.

After Lunch we went to IGA - Indira Gandhi Academy (Yelhanka, Bangalore). A place where homeless children live. They Srilankan refugee children. There were 230 children. 
Some volunteers were putting tattoos, some were putting streamers on children head. I was giving one chocolate and mummy was giving a small Parle-G biscuit paket, Girls were sitting one side, boys were sitting one side. We did yell master, friendship song, and it's a beautiful day, Boogi-Woogi dance and Chicken dance. Then we did the same coloring banner activity that we did in gerizum. Then we played the game called "Bomb the corner".

We made paper planes. I showed them how to fold news paper to make a aeroplane. If you just say fold - they were not able to understand - So I showed them step by step to fold. First time I was teaching so many kids to fold and make aeroplane. Till now except Dhrupad, my brother I have not taught anybody. I felt little nervous but still l did it. I like the way chidlren were communicating, "this fold is done what next".  Finally we all made aeroplane - when the music started everybody strated to fly the aeroplanes and catch another one and throw after that Santa came and we ended the party.

What we used - Potatoes for tattoos
  Tattoos- Potatoes cut to shape to Moon and star, Water colors, Plastic bowls, Fork
Decoration - Streamers, Balloons,
Food - Chocolates, ParleG-biscuits, Popcorn,
Music - Boogie woogie, Santa is coming, Chicken dance, Jingle bells, Tamil songs for Bombing the city
Banner - Banner cloth - red and green color, Christmas related cut outs, Crayons
Santa - Santa dress, cap, bag
Furniture - Chairs, bench, tables

Its real different experience to be with the children. I like the doing the Chicken dance with them the most. I am very interested in doing more parties with Chrysallis. I learn with children you need to be cool, slow and happy.