24.09.2009 - Meeting to design the working of 'Angelica Mission'

Participants : Jason Furtado ( Chair ) , Nitasha, Purnima, Balaji, Lakshmi & Neetha.

Agenda : to design the baby kit and related issues.

1. Jason Updated on the recent meeting with Sr. Rose ( I/C maternity)
2. The need for 'angelica mission' was explain and agreed upon.
   
3. Stress was given to promote the dignity of life of a newborn.
   
4. Based on the financial commitment required the following priority items were considered in the kit.
   

Priority ONE : 1 - Baby Nappies 4-6
2 - White Clot Wrap for baby
3 - Soap
5. The use of soap for a poor child was questioned. Purnima said that usually they use 'channa atta' for infants because their skin was delicate. A Rubber sheet would be a better option and more practical for the infant as the infant was to be changed very often.

6 . Priority ONE was then replaced to :
1 - Baby Nappies 4-6
2 - White Clot Wrap for baby
3 - Rubber Sheet
4 - Baby gowns (jublas)
Priority TWO :
1- Soap
2- woolen blanket / baby wrap
3 - Towel

Priority THREE :
1- Baby oil
2 - Rattle / toy
3 - Baby Pillow
Priority FOUR
1- Mosquito net

7. It was agreed upon that the baby kit would contain the basic PRIORITY ONE items but would have other items too depending on the funds received.

8. It was agreed upon that ALL kits were to be given free.

9. Sr. Rose would be responsible to hand over the kits.

10. It was agreed that a record book be maintained by Sr.Rose to record the dispatch of the kits.

11: Funds : Jason suggested that the gathering of funds be done in two ways : ONE : by volunteers themselves pitching in every month. and TWO : by getting sponsorers to buy kits for the poor. Lakshmi was asked to help come up with a campaign to promote the later.

12. Volunteers agreed to put in a regular amount (monthly) towards this fund.

13 : Cost factor :

- The cost of Mul Mul Cloth was about Rs.45/- a meter. Calculation for the cloth required per kit would be : 1/4 mt x 4 = 1meter (Rs.45/-) for four Nappies , PLUS 1/2 mt for baby gown - Rs. 21 /- . A total of 1.5 meters would be required per kit.

- Rubber sheet's costs is to be seen. Lakshmi said that she would go with Ashfaaq and Neetha next Saturday to checkout prices for the same.

- Price of johnsons baby soap (small) is Rs. 16/-

- Total cost price per kit is estimated to be around Rs. 200.

14. Jason suggested that pamphlets be prepared and word spread among our near and dear ones along with colleagues rather than asking strangers at this stage.

15. Sustainability of this mission was questioned by Lakshmi. Jason said that if we charge extra, we would be able to have extra money to by more stuff so that we could only need to look for sponsors every three months.

16. Lakshmi suggested that the name of the project can be embroided on the clothes.

17. Nitasha was teaching the volunteers how to crochet a blanket.

Conclusion :

This is a good project with a strong need , a sympathetic cause and an unchartered area that we can make a name for. We will not be able to do this unless ALL the volunteers chip in with their time , efforts and resources. We request all volunteers to step up and help.

We will be preparing pamphlets with registration forms for distribution.

Suggestions are welcome to help shape up the mission and for marketing strategies.