CTC 4th B'day Social Trek 36 - Feb19 - SIP Home

[Theluck]

[Theluck]

ST/36 – SIP Childrens home participants, please read carefully below.

 Anyone dropping out should inform us immediately.

1. Agenda
2. Contacts
3. Transportation
4. What to carry


1. Agenda:
We will be starting from SIP home by 05.30 AM. And on the way we will be picking up the participants from the pickup points.


2. Contacts

Store these numbers in your cell phone

Thilak Raj (SIP Home) – 9840873859
Rakesh (Koyambedu) – 9944845458
Shibu (Guindy) – 9940032575
Thangaprakasam (Tidel Park & Madhya Kailash) – 9940078990

Koyambedu (6:00 am) – park opposite to CMBT entrance (9 participants)

Harikumar, Rakesh Chandrasekar, gayathri chandrashekar, Nandan Agarwal, Jagadish Purushothaman, Sasirekha, Harinath Rao, Dhanalakshmi, sanjay


Guindy (6:30 am) - near bus stop, behind temple (8)

Shibu Alexis, Keertanya, Arunkumar M S, Gayathri Ravichandran, Karthikeyan C, Vijay Prasad, Shiva, Jai


Madhya Kailash (6:45 am) - near bus stop, behind temple (2)

Asha Kranthi Nandigam, Siva Kumar.M


Tidel Park (7:00 am) - bus stop in front of TIDEL entrance (8+1 Kid)

Thamarai Selvan A, Prabhu, Santhosh Kumar, Ravi Kunjwal, Nivya, Jeyachitra + J.HarishRagavan (7 years), Lakshmi G, Thangaprakasam


3. Transportation

We got 4 cars and 2 cabs which should be able to accommodate all.
Requesting all car owners to ensure their presence as any drop outs would affect us significantly. Ensure your vehicles are in good condition and filled up with sufficient fuel (250 km to and from) to avoid delays.
Important - we drive as one group to and fro. One car will be leading the convoy and one will be sweeping, do not get in front/behind these two cars to avoid delays during the trip. All car drivers should remain within the group - don't speed ahead, don't lag behind.

Cars (4)

All the cars will join on respective pick up point
Prabhu - Ford Figo/White, Santhosh Kumar - Honda City/Warm Silver, Vijay Prasad - Alto/Pearl silver, Shiva - Spark/ grey.

Route (VERY IMPORTANT)
SIP home to koyembedu, guindy via 200 ft road, madya kailash tidal, ECR.


4. What to carry

Comfortable, light clothes
Comfortable pair of walking shoes/sandals (we will walk over rough terrain)
2 bottles filled with water (Must)
Umbrella as it may rain
Small backpack to carry yours + 1 kid’s food + bottles
Camera (charged)
Cash (600 Rs, actual expense will be calculated after trek)
Spare set of clothes (to change after playing in water) + spare towel for kids
Extra plastic covers to protect the clothes
An empty carry bag to take back waste. We have a strong non-littering policy.

Most important - good humor and maximum interaction with the kids!

GIFTS: It would be great if you can bring some gifts for the kids. Anything should be fine...Chocolates, sweets, pens, story books...Etc


Please understand that it is for your own safety. Pools out there aren't swimming pools and are quite deep

The organizers will provide breakfast and lunch.

Important - safety of the kids during the trek is of utmost importance. Each of us has the responsibility to closely watch over the kids and ensure they are safe at all times.

Call us if you have any doubts or if you need any more information

The sole aim of the social trek is to make the kids happy. We greatly appreciate your intent to join us in this endeavor and it is your enthusiasm for these treks that motivates us to increase the frequency of social treks.

[Karthikeyan C]

Dear all,

Its another memorable day in my life. I don't have words to express myself but my photos will do.

My album link

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356106901086931.87563.100000628738019&type=3

Thank you all for the wonderful day.

Thanks & regards,
   Karthikeyan C

[Harikumar]

https://picasaweb.google.com/102860941594450628598/STToAlamparaFort?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_dtprY6tfaGw&feat=directlink

Photos clicked by the kids and me :)

[jagy]

Some of ma cam's clikx by kids..
Cheers!!

https://plus.google.com/photos/107863262926758049246/albums/5711852187331813681?authkey=CMrk56Cjor23yQE

[Gayathri Ravichandran]

Feb 19th, was the Day I was deeply touched by the resilience of  the young kids living over there in SIP Home. We gathered to celebrate CTC's Birthday, CTC baby entered its fifth year on Feb 22nd!!!Members planned for 22 different treks to Celebrate it on the Feb 18-19, nearest weekend...where I was engaged in Social Trek...


As already known to regular trekkers, Social Trek has been organized by great Thilak. We Volunteers been waiting in usual pickup points, while Thilak Started from SIP HOME along with the kids. After few hours of waiting & expecting, the trip actually started around 7.30a.m from Tidel to hit the road.


We travelled in 2 Cabs and few cars, where the Kids eagerly splitted into different groups as they wish. Cars & Vans started with a mixed group of Kids and Volunteers.

I was in a Van along with cute Kabilan, Marimuthu, Priya, Mary, Sangeetha, Lavanya, Sara & Harish(Jaya's Son) and bustling volunteers Siva, Dhana, Sasirekha, Thanga Ji & Jayachitra...

Being entertained by Mary, Marimuthu and Siva's dance, our first 1 hour journey ended soon. We all assembled in a Park in ECR, for morning Break Fast where we met the rest of the kids & Volunteers who came in other vehicles.

Though the Kids started early and more than an hour's journey without starving for food, they started playing with full delight and great smiles  Where the fun freaks Siva, Jagadheesh, Shibu, Nandan, Padma, Lakshmi and few others too joined the kids for maximum fun and excitement.  While Kids and Many Volunteers were busy in Playing, Thilak – The Organizer was much concentrated to serve Yummy food for us on time.

Asha, Arun, Gayathri Chandrasekar and few others helped a lot to serve food for our empty stomach. Idli & Vada, served by them was too yummy to eat and its even more pleasure to have in a road side Park, facing Palm tress near the beach. Before starting, while myself & Shuba tried the slide in the park, Kids and Thilak, Jagadheesh, Gayathri & Shibu too joined us for this unexpected shutterbug!!!  


From there the actual trip started around 9a.m. After having breakfast and few funny snaps, lovely moments we headed to Alampara with unforgettable moments. The 2nd session of our travel was more funnier than the first.. We divided among ourselves into two groups and played Anthakshari, a common game among the Cute Little Kids & Grown Kids too;-)

Finally, around 10.30a.m we reached the destination – Alampara Fort. While few are interested in reading the history of the Fort at the entrance, Kids and many volunteers started walking, running & playing... The first view we visited was the Fort Wall, which was about 30 Feet height and enjoyed the sight seeing.


In turn Few Volunteers Thilak, Nandan, Shibu, Nivya, Lakshmi and few others assembled near the boat with the Kids... As usual Sweepers team took us to the point. After few discussions two boats started towards the beach. First boat started with the Kids who got ants in their pants, while the second one is moderate and the trip was delayed for such a long time that the Kids were champing at the bit.

The moment we reached the beach, we Volunteers have to go the extra mile to control all those Enthusiastic Kids. The game is on!!! Everybody wanted to have some fun in the water.. And when kids are around, can’t escape without getting wet.. All of us Played, Rolled, amused, enjoyed and drenched too, while Karthik & other Shutterbugs was busy in clicking the best moments...


Few Kids with full of energy started again to build Sand Temples in beach with the help of their close to heart Thilak anna and few other Volunteers. Then Few Played Kabadi and the Final touch to fulfill the game was Rakesh. Few Mischievous Volunteers Siva, Gayathri, Shibu and cute Kids pushed Rakesh down and covered with Sand for final photograph. Its the time for us to back to the Fort for lunch. Finally Kids & we started our boat trip...


As many Kids were in hunger we sent them in first two boat trips. Few Volunteers, myself  Siva, Shuba, Dhana, Padma, Sasi, Shibu, Jagadheesh and Rakesh along with Nandhini and few Kids was in a condition to listen to Rakesh's mokka stories ;-) as we were the one to start in third Trip.

We had Yummy Biriyani once we reached the Fort again.. Post lunch, where few were resting we started playing game... The game has been conducted by T. Lakshmi, the group leads were T.Thanga Prakasam, T. Siva & T. Sasi and our main duty is to divide the kids equally as T.Siva has maximum Kids in his group. Then the actual game started when T.Thilak cross checked with T.Sara.... The game was quiet fun to the kids as they have to say Tomato for every question, kids Questioned and Answered smart.... The game came to an end with the distribution of Watermelon to everyone.

It's time to start. As kids wished we again took them near to Fort Wall and rested there in cool breeze for sometime and started back to Chennai. Finally, its the time to say bye to Alampara. We assembled in front of the great Alampara for a snapshot!!!


While in return journey our Van actually filled in more number of Kids than in the morning. As most of them in the Van was tired, Energetic Kowsalya, Sangeetha, Shanmuga Priya and Siva entertained us from the beginning by their lovely dance and smiles

We reached the Park again for regrouping to head towards Chennai. We Played for sometime. Few had hot coffees and all had Yummy Yummy, Tasty Tasty Fruit Salad I am sure we all started back to home with a smile knowing that we had the unforgettable day with the kids... I am happy that I was part of this team and special Thanks to Thilak a lovely Organizer, Volunteers where everyone became a grown Kid to see the smile in the faces of those Kids!!!!

[Jeyachitra]

Thank you all for the making the day a wonderful and memorable one.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150544317636403.371596.701101402&type=3

With Warm Regards,
T.Jeyachitra

[Gayathri Ravichandran]

I Thank the Volunteers for bringing a million dollar smile among the little Chatter Boxes.

And a Special Thanks to

Asha Kranthi Nandigam: For sponsoring Food for the kids

Shiva: For sponsoring Drawing books, Note book and Sketch pens

Most of the members: for Chocolates and biscuits

Kudos to you guys!!!

[jagy]

Whoa!!....That was an Excellent Writeup Gayathri..I enjoyed it thoroughly..Thanks a lot for bringing back the day in our thoughts & smiles..My Hat's Off to you(The One which i wore on that day :D)..Keep up the good work!
Cheersss!!!

[Vijay Prasad]

Well, the day started as early as 4:45 in the morning. Took a quick bath and drove to kathipara junction. It was a pleasant surprise to meet new people. Siva, Vimal, Thilak, Shibu, Arun, Karthikeyan, Padmashri to name a few. Soon the other volunteers joined us and we drove to the next point, Tidal Park. All the enthusiastic kids were waiting in the van and few of them jumped out from the van running around & telling each other “Na intha car la varen, nee antha car la po”. The very sight of it made me nostalgic about our school excursion trips :D.

Everything was settled and we fastened our seat belts. One press over the gas pedal and the next stop was a small park in ecr. It had a children’s play area and a small pocket for sitting around and having fun. We all introduced each other and some guys were busy in shooting the kids. Soon a sumptuous breakfast comprising of 3 idli’s, one medhu vada and Yummy sambar & coconut chutney were served. Thilak was the center of attraction for the kids as he had been with them on numerous occasions.The kids were affectionate to feed him a morsel of their food before they gulped down.

East Coast Road was a real beauty. The road is literally a bed of roses for people who love to go on long drives. My Speedo meter didn’t dip after it crossed 100 (probably it didn’t work: P: D). I was fantasizing in my own world with my favourite songs on the run. One shouldn’t miss boating at a place called mudhaliar kuppam. It houses the serene back waters of the Bay of Bengal which made me drop my jaws for a while. We were driving slowly to reciprocate the nature’s call.

Soon we reached Alamparai Fort. It was a fort which was completely in its ruins and got severe beating after the 2004 tsunami. All the children’s were let loose and they were completely basking in a world of joy. The photographers plunged into business. After playing in the fort for a while we were negotiating with the local fishermen to ferry us to the sea shore via the back waters. We ordered 3 boats and were ferried across. Suddenly the boat got stuck in the sands and 3 of us were told to move the boat so that the fisherman can steer it in the right direction. Much to my agony my foot got stuck in the sand due to my slippers and I wasn’t able to move even an inch. Thanks to Nandan, I was able to come out.

We reached the sea shore. All the kids along with the volunteers started running and jumping over the waters. At first I stood near the waters. I didn’t want to go inside as I had purse, mobile and coolers with me. Then, I went in to wet my feet’s. Suddenly a huge wave pushed me down and I was completely wet. (Seri ithaan chance nu sollitu) I started playing with the kids in the water: D: P. Thanks to Vimal, (who was photographing the scenes) I handed over my entire belongings to him and made merry in the waters: D. We were playing for hours together. Some of the kids were busy in building homes & gopurams (temple) on the wet sand. It was really a treat to see them building their dream homes. Thilak & others roped in some more volunteers to help the kids in building their homes.

Rakesh roped in some of the volunteers and we started playing kabadi. Getting wet in the sea, getting stitched with the sands and again getting wet in the sea was real fun. After some time chocolates were distributed. Soon everyone’s belly started rumbling after the gleeful games. We all made our way back to the fort again and had yummy veg biryani along with a side dish.

Post lunch Siva Kumar, Thilak & Lakshmi sprung into action. They divided the kids into 3 teams and introduced a game called “Thakkali” (Tomato). It is a game like whatever the question u ask me, my answer should only be “Thakkali” and nothing else. Lol. The kids were having real fun with thakkali’s. I was quietly sitting in a corner. One of the kids approached me and asked “Anna, thirumbi eppo varuvinga?” I was in for a shock and had no answers to tell him. I managed to tell him that “we will come whenever u call”. He gave a gentle smile & ran off. The words were echoing in my ears continuously.

It was almost 4:00 pm and it was time to leave. On the way back we stopped again at the place where we had breakfast. The kids were playing at the play area after having yummy salad’s and coffee.  It was time to settle the accounts & lleave home with a heavy heart.

The social trek made me more memorable. I happened to meet two my college friend’s at the park. It was a good get together after a long time.

To sum up I can’t forget my first social trek. It will be etched in my memories forever. A thunderous applause to the organizers for making it so wonderful.

Best Regards,

T. H. Vijay Prasad