Future Hope Mela 2010

Saturday 10th April saw the annual Future Hope Mela, held at the homes and school on Rowland Road.

The theme this year was 'Space' and the homes were transformed for the day with home-made bamboo rockets & satellites, fairy lights, games, singing, dancing, hand made arts & crafts and great food and drink.

The children, staff and volunteers had all worked hard for over a month to decorate and prepare for the games, food, drinks and cultural show that all helped to make the day a great success.

Over 500 guests arrived at Rowland Road through the day; friends and family, children from local schools and friends and guests of Future Hope from all parts of Kolkata came down, from all walks of life, and despite temperatures hitting an unseasonally high 42 degrees, it was a great day very much enjoyed by all, judging by the full bellies, smiley faces and queues for the games and shows!
The cultural show took centre stage as the children performed traditional Bengali songs and dances, as well as modern Hindi and Bollywood numbers, and put on several excellent plays including one highlighting the plight of the endangered Bengal tiger. 

The assembly hall was transformed into a Future Hope bazaar, with pots, lamps, jewellery, pickles, chutneys, jute bags, calendars and other goodies on offer through the day, all made by the children and staff.

Egg rolls, veg and egg chops, gugni, puchkas, pizzas, fruit salad custard, doughnuts and lassis and of course gallons of chai and coffee were all made at the homes by the staff and children and enjoyed by all.

As well as all this there were numerous games to enjoy, from the Tickle Draw (Lucky Dip), to radio controlled cars and everything in between.

A long, hot and very happy day wrapped up at around 8pm as the last revellers left and the mammoth clean up operation began.

Thanks to all our guests, friends and family alike, for attending, and to all the 100's of children and staff who helped to put on such an enjoyable and rewarding day - planning for 2011 Mela has begun already!  Put Sunday 19th December in your diary!!

By Rowan Rosser, Future Hope volunteer.