Varanasi Volunteer & Yoga Program: Saraswati Education Center

New Women's Group & Republic Day of India Celebrations

2012-01-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

We have just begun a Women's Group at the school for the mother's of the children that we teach and other women in the area. We provide a place for them to meet and support each other whilst learning different skills that they can use in their lives. These women come from very poor backgrounds and most are reliant on their husbands, so with this group we aim to be able to empower them in order for them to be more independent and lead a better life.

At the moment we have started knitting and are making beanies and scarves that they can sell in order for them to make their own money. Our volunteers, Rhi and Sian Joyce from Australia, are leading the group and have bought lots of wool and needles in order for them to knit. So far the women are really enjoying this and are eager to make as many things as they can. In the future we hope for this group to grow so that we can create a network of support for this women.

Also, yesterday was the Republic Day of India so to celebrate this we took the children to a special event where they could do art and play lots of games. All the children won prizes and were smiling and laughing all day long. It was a really, really good day and we hope to take them out again soon.

Water park & Kites for Kids

2011-12-19T02:21:00.000-08:00

Our volunteer Linda and two more volunteers we went water park time it was full of fun and amusement, after such a long long time children have taken fun in water park ... as you can see they are swiming and playing, thanks volunteers for your helping to organize these trip.

For the past few days three of our volunteers (Jim & Alyssa from Canada and Jessica from Italy) visited the slums area in Varanasi. They met a former student from our center who we are still supporting with university tuition payments. Since the classroom at our center has been slow because the children were on a winter break, we arranged for the volunteers to visit the children in their homes. The annual kite festival is less than one month away and after the children from the slums gave our volunteers a lesson in flying a kite, our volunteers said thank you by buying every child a kite. Jim, Alyssa and Jessica bought 200 kites and distributed them too all the children in the slums area. The day was full of sharing, smiles and happiness.

Varanasi charity organization

2011-12-12T00:14:00.000-08:00

i m giving yoga training at the Yoga society top floor of children school.

children and volunteers are talking each others.

Organization girls are eating morning food at the center.

some kids with volunteers in photo shoot mood.

Children are sharing foods with volunteers Roser from Spain.

Volunteer Caroline Beaumaris from Australia is giving donation our slums boy in slums area.

At the volunteer school, the children are really committed to coming along and getting the best of English teaching available to them.
Happy, smiling, laughing children, they are a delight to work with. Our volunteers today put on a breakfast for the children which gave them a good kick start for the day.
There are two sessions daily - the morning class from 8 to 11am and the afternoon class from 3 to 6pm. They continue to be run by volunteers from all over the world; including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South America.

Volunteers are staying at our accommodation with friendly atmosphere.
The centre is running trips to the local slums to give volunteers an understanding of other parts of India not normally accessible to foreigners.
Today we had Caroline, our Australian volunteer distribute much needed clothing to the local boy, Jitender, the centre sponsors to attend University. He was very thankful that this will give him some quality cloths to wear at school.
We also continue to give our volunteers the best tours of Varanasi and the local areas at the best possible deals. Tonight we sent Caroline on a trip down the river Ganges to view the sunset ceremonies and the numerous Ghats.
The centre continues to give education, hope and happiness to the local children.

Accomodation and Volunteers in Varanasi

2011-11-28T01:38:00.000-08:00

The school is continuing to run from 8-11 in the morning and 4-6 in the evening. The morning classes are much smaller than the afternoon classes as it is winter and many of the children must work during this time.

There is accomodation available for the volunteers on the first floor of the building, and breakfast and lunch is provided. The facilities available to the volunters are 24hr hot water, electricity and wifi, and a friendly atmosphere. The price of the accomodation is a donation that goes towards the running costs of the school.

Former students or members of the organisation can provide a pickup facility from the airport or train station for a fair price to ensure safe arrival.

Hindustan Times & Australian Yogis

2011-10-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Our Ngo group voluteering work is published in the Hindustan Times, Varanasi. Last Saturday 22 October there was a Group of 13 Yogis, As you can read also in News paper Aritcles, They are all student of Swami Saraswati, (famous Yoga Teacher, Australia) from Swami Saraswati Rejuvenation Resort, Australia.

All 13 Yogis are taking yoga class from me, They all are very good Yoga Students with good thoughts and energy.

Yoga Teacher Australia , Swami Saraswati is distributing Clothes to small kids of our school.

All Children seem very glad after getting Clothes from Australian group, as you can see in these pictures, we are thankful for this group.

Mr. Sanjay, yoga teacher from Australia is also distributing clothes to small kids, he is a young yoga teacher with positive helping thoughts.

Swami Saraswati Rejuvenation Resort students are distributing clothes and giving million dollars happiness for these helpless kids with beautiful smile.

The group is with kids and spending beautiful time for our organization.

We are in the Lonely Planet India guidebook

2011-10-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

We have now appeared in the newest edition of the Lonely Planet India guidebook. On page 389 of the 14th edition, which was published in September you can find Saraswati Education Center, including this weblog. On page 390 Yoga Education Training Society (http://www.varanasiindiango.jimdo.com/) is also mentioned, which is connected with Saraswati Education Center.

This week two German volunteers Stefan and Julia helped preparing a healthy meal for the children: kichri (rice with lentils) and fried potato. After the meal the volunteers did all the dishes.

These days the children are coming for classes two times per day: in the morning and early evening. Nearly all of them have a job between these classes and have to go to work after school. They clean houses, help in shops, or work on the ghats selling postcards to help their family.

2011-09-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

The children who come to the centre do not have enough money to eat well in their homes so three days a week we provide food for the children here. Volunteers help prepare and serve thali consisting of rice, dal, salad, pickle and chapati so that children can get good energy to start their day! We hope to be able to provide food everyday in the near future.

Upstairs we have a yoga studio where people from around the world come to do yoga teacher training or drop-in classes. We also have many ayurveda services and reiki healing.

Many of the children must work to provide income for their families. These girls here sell bindis and post cards and make beautiful henna designs on volunteers and other tourists' hands. Others do cleaning and servant work in wealthy households or work in shops.

One little girl, Riya, is presenting a volunteer with a necklace. All the children in the centre are laughing and having fun.

Ritual & Foods for the kids

2011-08-27T02:26:00.000-07:00

In These month Spanish group they came for Volunteering work and we organize for ritual program for wellness of all kids and upcoming all volunteers for better life, In these pooja as you can see also in the pictures we organize for each kids + each voluIteer for 10 minute ritual, It was good experience for all of us and we will do it continue in near future too...

Food is very important for everyone and good food is useful for human bodies so this reason we are providing all kids now Rice+ dal + Chapati + Vegitable curry ( we call sabzi ). In a day one time we provide healthy food, In their"s hard life strong food is important to fighting whole day"s tough work.

All kids are feeling very happy after these programs at ngo of Varanasi, We will do it continue, Just you all pray for happiness of children and Varanasi volunteering organization.

July month's activities

2011-08-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

July in Varanasi was a very rainy month and the Ganga's water was at an extremely high level. This meant that many of the children who attend our project were unable to sell postcards and candles on the Ghats as they would usually do in order to support their families financially. During July we had a volunteer from Spain named Sandra come to visit. Sandra spent 2 weeks with us and during this time shared many new ideas, lead various activities and the children loved having her around.

Last week, Akash who is deaf was seriously ill, however, after seeking treatment from a doctor the good news is that Akash is now well and we pray that he continues to be in good health.

With the Ganga's water now decreasing and the weather in Varanasi getting cooler we are now hoping that there will be many more volunteers to visit us during the months to come.

2011-06-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last 2 weeks we did Hygenic program at our society, In this work volunteer from Belgium has also given her full support. First week we taught all the kids importancy of cleaning. We have explained them we should to keep ourself clean every time it is good for us in 2 way first we will get good health & people will like. Mostly children come at our center from slums/ poor background family and there is no value of hygenic. In this way we try to send the message from kids to families also.

In these pictures kids are learning how to clean our body everyday. We taught them in day two times morning and the evening time we should to take shower and clean the teeth from toothbursh with paste.

For giving them support we have distributed 65 pieces of brush, toothpaste, soap, Dettol liquid for each kids. It was good experience for all of us and we hae enjoyed it.

May month....

2011-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

first picture is kids with volunteers.
2nd I have published my Father"s picture
May month was not good for my personal life because i have lost my father he was suffering Asthma problem and 12th may evening time he died after these accident school was close for few days he was head of department in family and also school we all want to give him condolence so that his soul could get peace. Today i am Somit ( a man who is helping for social project ) the reason is my father"s has given me good education of life....
About School kids they all are coming again in the school last month USA college student group came and they have given their"s best energy with the kids... and support also for the cleaning the school and played with the kids also. At morning season and same evening season kids group also...

Volunteers activities with health camp

2011-04-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

In the past few months we have had many international volunteers offer their time, energy and skill-sets to our school and children. Volunteers from the UK, Germany and Canada have all traveled far distances to stay with us ... and the kids have been learning a great deal!
Our German volunteer, Nicolai, who is a surgeon back in his home land, provided each student with their own physical health check-up, which was a wonderful treat for all of us.
We had plenty of time playing games and learning English from our UK volunteers; and all the kids were taught yoga & value of trees by our Canadian yoga teacher, Kate!

As you can see it has been a busy time here at Saraswati Education Center, filled with much growth, excitement and help. We are so thankful for all of our volunteers and anticipate the next round of helpful hands as we continue to work towards building a better life for all children.

Banaras in March

2011-03-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

07-03-2011, The students and volunteers from the Saraswati Education Center went to play a game of football. Since there is no play space in Varanasi to play a physical game, the leaders made a plan to use the sand across the ganga. We took a boat across the ganga and played for two hours. The students had a great time and learned the game of football. There were volunteers and visitors from France, Japan, and USA. There were a lot of videos and photos taken of the day. In all the pictures you can see how much fun the children and volunteers are having. You can also see the real children of Varanasi come alive while playing in a “real” play space. Our volunteers and children really enjoyed seeing the city of Varanasi from the other side of the ganga; it was the first time for the children of the center to take a boat across the ganga. The city looked beautiful and spiritual in the morning light. We also explained them why we call Varanasi by two others name Kashi, Banaras,

lucky children at the pooja ceremony

2011-02-17T05:31:00.000-08:00

The literal meaning of Puja (Pooja) is adoration. It is an all-purpose term used to denote the many stages of ritual action that compose worship in Hindu culture. The derivative meaning is thought to be from Pu-chey, 'flower-action,' and refers to the act of offering flowers to the deity.

Puja is the ceremonial act of showing reverence to a God or Goddess through invocation, prayer, song, and ritual. An essential aspect of Puja is communion with the Divine. The worshiper believes that through this contact she or he has established direct contact with the deity. This contact is facilitated through an image: a sculpture, painting, or print. Through this Puja and the image, a Hindu worshiper invites the presence of the deity with his or her cosmic energy. And thus, in the eye of devotees, the icon then becomes the deity, whose presence is reaffirmed by the daily rituals of honoring and invocation.

The principal aim of any Puja is the feeling of personal contact with the deity. Generally, special communication with a deity is made through the intervention of a Brahmin Hindu priest during a strictly regulated ritual in the temple or home. During Puja, the Divine presence is invoked by which the devotee obtains blessings.

At the 8^th of March, we were celebrating this day with the children with a big and colorful buffet of fruits, vegetables and sweets. All the children, especially the girls, wore beautiful dresses and enjoyed the day.

2011 India,Varanasi non profit organization

2011-01-26T23:13:00.000-08:00

2011 has started new energy, hope & dreams for poor and the marginalized, vulnerable sections, deprived castes of boys & girls. Working, selling, road, ghats walking kids are coming everyday in day and evening session, We have also celebrated Independence day with Japanese & Korean volunteers, they were here as donation base accommodation in Ashram. We have organized debate, handwriting and drawing compilation for increase talents... and after that we have distributed them foods as you can see in the pictures... it was good time ....
Foreigner social worker are coming for volunteering in Varanasi, India. Children are looking forward to ahead for the life. Children said heartily thanks all the volunteers who has visited our society in last year. We always invite volunteers for their"s energy, suggestion and support in these project. we are here and working these project the reason is you all peoples support.... please give to continue your kindness .

Donation Charity Program & Merry Christmas

2010-12-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

We had a full and happy week in Varanasi with our children and volunteers. It has started with the peaceful music concert and donation bazaar on the river bank when musicians from different countries played music and many people gathered and spent nice time together drinking chai and soup. All the event was organized by the volunteers.
Few days later, we already started work on the Christmas party for the kids. 51 children were playing and dancing together with the volunteers, then prepared and ate happily chocolate balls and fruits salad.
2010 was good year many volunteer came and brought their smiles and energy. We hope for another inspiring year wish everybody A Happy New Year!

varanasi, India, bomb blast...and Barkha....

2010-12-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

I am sending picture of Barkha with other kids and volunteer so that you could recognize...in this picture barkha is in left side with one other girl.
Here in Varanasi terrorist has attacked holy and powerful place on the bank of ganga evening pooja ceremony. By blessing of god two people has died and lots of people injured. In this accident our school two selling postcard girl has also effected name is Versha and Barkha, they usually go every morning sunrise time and evening pooja ceremony time and selling postcard and help in her family Bomb blast day also went, Versha has shortly injured but Barkha was admitted in hospital for continue 4 days because it effected her hand and head but now she is recovering but still now she fear because it was big accident happened with this innocent girl....
we are happy that all people are together in this circumstances and not fearing it is very good reply to all terrorist who tried to disturb Varanasi and whole world, that we never fear…
These days school is running everyday morning and evening time, evening time i teach all the kids and morning time volunteer are coming our last volunteer was form Israel.

Diwali festival with Children

2010-11-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

we have celebrated Diwali festival with children and our two volunteers Sayaka from Japan and Uma from Korea, Children have learned music in Diwali festival singing and also played cracker we have used only light cracker, we have given message about the Diwali festival and said to the children it is festival of light and it teach us that how truth and light wins always so we all should to follow truth in our life....
Uma has organized a musical program and sat sang ( spiritual program ) for the children... you can see in the Video...
at current time children are coming at two times morning and evening time. totally 51 children are registered still now... we are waiting for the new volunteers.

Survey for slum"s children

2010-10-22T05:34:00.001-07:00

In 1st picture our all volunteers with some slums children In 2nd picture Claudius and Annabel with children In 3rd picture Somit is teaching all kids.
In this last few days of this month we are doing survey work for working slums children and our 4 volunteers are also helping. their name are Claudius and Annabel from Germany, Kito Dias form Brazil, Linda from Netherlands. Our main aim was here for sending message in the society and everywhere that education is very important for the children and also we explained the kids that if they will take education then they would be more smart and everyone will give respect.
in first day of Survey we went morning time at Raja Ghat and we looked there some children are making clay pots for selling we all talked with them and they said they do't want to come because they have no money we explained them we are from NGO and we give free education and better life guideline after knowing these lines they excited and said please talked our father after discuss he has also agreed. Same day evening time we went near Dasaswamedh ghat and collected some kids who were selling postcard and begging. Our all Volunteers have given very good support with us . Thanks a lot for your kind help, still now children are coming and getting education morning and evening time.

India , Varanasi, slums area visited

2010-09-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

Five days ago we visited the slum area and distributed food. We also taught them basic hygiene methods (simple washing techniques). With help from our Indian volunteer from Delhi we were able to teach personality development techniques, and have gained positive results from this one day programme. Washing hands with soap is not new but knowing the correct way of using soap and cleaning hands is a great experience," said Shubham, (one of our students who lives in the slums area ) he has now helped a number of slum children, including girls, showing them the correct way to go about it. "Proper hand washing requires soap and only a small amount of water, one should cover wet hands with soap, scrub all the surfaces and rinse thoroughly with running water. The hand parts, including palms, back and especially the area under the fingernails must be thoroughly cleaned," added the young lad like a trained student.
I hope our program will helpful for them and in the near future we plan on organizing more new programmes for changing their lifestyle. Just simple steps like this create a better life for the children and in turn a better future/prospects.

We currently have no volunteers and greatly welcome any help in any possible way. Any ideas or suggestions you may have are also helpful so please feel free to help in any way.

Right now the weather in Varanasi is little hot, anyway looking forward to any help in anyway and we will keep you posted.

Snake festival & Independence day Celebrated

2010-08-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

This month we celebrated the Snake festival, the famous festival in Varanasi that honors the snake part of Shiva, as well as Independence Day with good energy and lots of fun.

1st picture - Volunteers are distributing clothes to children 2nd picture - Volunteers are distributing biscuits, candy, pens, and pencils
3rd picture - We are all singing the national anthem
4th picture - Volunteers are distributing clothes to children 5th picture - The children are taking part in the program
6th picture - Snake man is showing the game of the snake for the Snake Festival

For the last 2 weeks our volunteers from France, Vincent & Capucine, have given very important, meaningful time and energy to the kids. At the present time we have no volunteers. The program continues on with children coming in the morning and also afternoon. Your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Print media came in our NGO,Varanasi

2010-07-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Varanasi print media came to our establishment to experience what we do and they have published poor, slums children education work articles in the English newspaper, HINDUSTAN TIMES on July 22. We are all very excited about it. Please read what they have written about our work.

We were fortunate to have 4 volunteers at that time. Currently, we have no volunteers, but are hopeful that we will find more soon. Children are coming everyday and we all are happy. I am also working hard with all of them.

We have a fundraiser coming up on July 31 that was organized by Carla Van Laar, a volunteer from Australia. Thank you for your work Carla!

Event Link- Bollywood Musical Market Party
date- 31th July at 8:00pm - Sunday at 12:00am
Location -

aHa Sudio and Gallery Brunswick 311 Victoria St Brunswick, Australia

aHa Sudio and Gallery Brunswick

311 Victoria St

Brunswick, Australia

If you or any of your friends live in Australia, please tell them about this special event

school information of India

2010-06-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

Our summer program has finished and we are now preparing for our new season that will begin Thursday, July 1st to mirror the new season that always starts in July in India. We have many eager new students, but need more volunteers to accommodate as many children as possible. Our dream project is moving forward with your support and encouragement.

Above are some pictures of summer vacation with the volunteers and kids.

Picture 1 - Somit is with two children that live in the slums
Picture 2 - Two children playing
Picture 3 - Three slum children
Picture 4 - Somit with Japanese Volunteer, Sayaka
Picture 5 - Volunteer Mr. Bryan Snell from USA, Amit,
Chelsea & Somit
Picture 6 - Children are playing with balloons
Picture 7 - Volunteer Madam Cynthia with some children
Picture 8 - Volunteer Chelsea with kids

summer vacation for children & new season

2010-05-25T06:54:00.001-07:00

Varanasi is now heating temperature is running nearly 46-49 degree so we have decided to give holiday to children at least one an half weeks after we will see if weather be fine then we can restart... new season for the kids will also start form that time ... some more new kids want to come and they do't want to wait... right now we have not any volunteer and we are finding new volunteer if they could join us ... we welcome ....

Examination & Child Sponsorship Charity , India , Varanasi

2010-04-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Everyone as usual like others year we have also taken yearly examination's children, i am sure children did best. These 4 children has grown up and we want to give them high level education for them . We are finding if someone take interest in this any one for Sponsorship then it will be great.

First girl name is Monica she sells postcard on the bank on Ganga , helping in family by money, but in education she is very good never she absent the school.

Second girl name is Versha she is sister of Monica and also she sells postcard on the bank on Ganges and both sister helps in their"s family. Both sister want to be a good human person and want to survive life in better way with their"s family .

Third girl name is Reshmi she is 14 years old and she cleans other peoples house as a servant. After getting good education she wants to be Teacher.

Fourth student name is Rahul . he is 13 years old and he works on shop and shop honor do very bad behave with him. because he is very poor, but he is full of self respect, i have noticed when he comes in school and sit alone he cried, i have noticed many times and one day i asked him and then he explained .... so right now i help for his food also.

All 4 children parents are uneducated, so they can not get a good job. they all helping....

i hope someone will come in front for help and will take responsibility of sponsorship.

if you have any question or want to help or want to do sponsorship then feel free to write us , on our gmail accont- saraswati.yets@gmail.com

volunteer teacher india, varanasi

2010-03-18T04:20:00.003-07:00

Here is in picture you can see Mr. john from USA . He worked as a computer teacher in India Varanasi volunteer school, Saraswati Education Center. Everyday he is coming evening time and teaching all kids. All children also feeling very happy to learn computer classes from Mr. John because he teaches very interesting style with fun. As you can see in the picture also. Very soon Mr. john will leave Varanasi.

So we are also sad but we are waiting for other volunteers, let see. This is very good experience for the street kids because before they did not experience it. Weather is going hot here but not too much and festival is running here Durga festival. After few days we will start children examination so we are also now focusing their course material so that they could perform more better. Children also doing hard work every morning & evening time they are coming here getting education and after they are going their work. I hope soon we will success to stop their"s work because it is child labor and it is not good so this reason still now we are collecting fundraising for new land where we will make unique school for better education, shelter , education job for the kids & volunteer accommodation.

Children with volunteer

2010-02-16T06:39:00.000-08:00

last few days here we had 5 volunteer in the school Thierry Rabouam , Cecile Rabouam, Celestinc Rabouam, Charlotte Rabouam, Pat Rabouam... with these volunteer children has taken lots of fun and they also have taught children . yesterday we went ganga other side with volunteers and children and we organised there football match... actually children they never play in open place and not football so every children they liked it too much ... and football match middle time they have also distributed fruit juice, biscuit, we all played and enjoy this good memory in our mind ... we went ganga other side by the Boat. we hired a boat for 3 hours.

After returned from there they went to buy one Computer desktop. This desktop Thierry, Cecile, Celestinc, Rabouam, Charlotte & Pat have given donation for the children because they could learn computer. Thank you very much for this donation. it will be very good for the children progress. In future we will try to increase more computer for the children and also will work more good for the project.. Again thank you.

New year & Varanasi, India ( we welcomed )

2010-01-15T04:55:00.000-08:00

First to all of you HAPPY NEW YEAR -2010

e.mail- saraswati.yets@gmail.com

We all Celebrated New year in Movie Theater , Church, Mosque and in the park . We went to see the Movie 3 Idiots. It is full of fun, knowledge , good lesson and one of the most famous movie in Indian Movie history or Bollywood. All children were very happy to see this movie and after that we walked JHV mall , and near is park where all children played. After that we went Church by Car. We had rented a car for this trip . This trip was full of enjoy.

After 1st January weather has changed so much now Varanasi is very cold and temperature is arround 5 degree and sometime less than 5 degree. This weather is very cool for us. now lots of children is sick being cold weather... school is also close right now. We have decided to reopen school again at 18th January . If weather will be good....

X-MAS Celebrated, Varanasi, india

2009-12-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

Merry X-MAS & New year -2010 ... everybody.

We all have celebrated X-Mas with our Two volunteers Linda ( in picture right hand) & Samantha Patric , from Australia ( in picture left hand ) . We decorated whole school, X-Mas tree.... and children came at 8.00 AM after we have did special prayer . after finish this we have given them for x-mas drawing stuff and they did it ... we all started their food and we have given them sandwitch, kandy , choclate, coffee, fruit drinks, cake, banana, cucumber, tomato, and at the end we have given them balloons. In first video you can see that children are playing monkey monkey game ... all children was full of energy. we all celebrated X-Mas with linda, sam and children. It was good experience for us. Thank you very much everyone for participate in this occasion.

we are planing to go sight seen for new year celebration.... with the kids...

2009-12-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

Varanasi is going winter season now. Children are coming in the school morning and evening time wearing thick clothes. Two volunteers from The Netherlands & Australia they are also coming morning and evening time for teaching the kids.
About the new land project still now we are collecting money to acquire the land and we have collected around Rs. 312000 (4536 euros, 6708 USD). The total costs just for the land are at the moment Rs. 750000 (10906 Euros, 16126 USD) which means there is still a large amount to collect.

this video was made at the land we wish to acquire. Just little outside the city. and on one of the plots of the land we wish to build the school, garden and place for the volunteers. Where poor, street and slums children can come, stay and get education and food. Volunteers they can teach, cook, and also help with the construction of the building or any arts they have they can give here.
right now we have totally 45 children and many more also so they all are waiting for the new place. We want to make everything very practically this reason we have decided to make there also rooms for the volunteers.
We hope you all will give your support , idea, help & suggestion in this project & definitely we will achieve our goal.
if any enquiry, mail to us - saraswati.yets@gmail.com

Remembering Mumbai

2009-11-27T01:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday 26-11-09 children and volunteers burnt candles for the victims of terrorist attack of Mumbai exactly one year ago. Holding the candles we prayed for the victims of these attacks and prayed for the peace.

Some volunteers also applied Henna ( Mehndi ) to the hands of the children. This way the sadness was followed by happier things. This way we show that after sadness happiness will follow again. We should not to bend to the terrorist attack & keep smiling even through difficulties.

Programme with street kids of varanasi

2009-11-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

As you know that in india every year we celebrate Childrens day and this year we have also celebrated with the kids and in this occassion we kept some culture programme and food programme in afternoon and night time ...it was great all the kids of school and outside school they all participate in this programme . during in last 20 days five volunteer they have visited in the school 2 japaneese and three Canadean women ... all felt very well here and they have given here best energy with this programme and also told us how we should to make it more good so that many people could come here or know about this project . Madam Susan walton apprciated about golbal warming awareness course of saraswati education center she said it is a very good programme because this street kids of india will know a better way the meaning of global warming ... jenifer and helen also supported her point of view and they both also said that in future they will give their"s best help in this school and they have also given donation in the school .. thankyou to all of you ...

Half yearly examination will start on 21 october

2009-10-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hello,
here right now school has closed from today because now continue festival time untill 19th october ...so we have closed ... here classes is runing well and now the time for enjoying the festival name is Diwali and after brother sister festival and after there"s exam time ....
more update i will do when examination will start untill that time thankyou very much to all of you for visit us ...

Durga Pooja & children

2009-09-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Durga pooja has started in india . It is one of the biggest festival of indian. In this festival everyone celebrate 9 days , 9 Durga praying . it has started on 19th September and today is 7th day 9 days continue people pray 9 different durga name is
Names of Navadurga :
1. Shailputri
2. Brhamcharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skundamata
6. Katyani
7. Kalratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Siddhidatri
all nine durga goddess is very important and yes it also show that women is more powerfull than compare of man same like Durga has borned to killed bad sprit and for helping true human beings.
From today continue 4 days we will close the school because from today every places durga statue has situated for visiting so night time and whole day people visit ... it is very nice and beautiful time to see this power goddess festival. Today"s one good news is that our school one child name is Monika Sahani has gotted the 2nd Rank in her age group Drawing compitition ... in this compitition whole varanasi"s all the children has participate ... this was special compition being Durga pooja celebration so today i am too much happy and it feels me too much proud inside and i am very sure you will also feel proud and happy .

poor street kids celebrated teacher day...

2009-09-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

all the children classes is going well and all are enjoying and learning education... at 5th september we all have celebrated teacher day on this programme we have cutted cake and we serve all the children food , biscuit & candy and all very happy and also we kept dance , debate programme it was completely enjoyable programme for the kids and also for us... and yes this programme gave also one message ..that how should to relation between teacher and student ... it is very important if teacher and student will be treat each other as a friend then it will be good and in other hand if student and teacher will respect each other then it makes more strong relation each other .... this lines has given by Mr.Seo myung won ( our volunteer ) he has given very important time and we will be thankfull for him.in the top his picture with one little girl . thesedays school is runing morning 7:45 am to 12 :00 pm and between the classes we give themfood ....right now we have no any volunteer ...weather is good in varanasi just power cut problem & water is here more......

Independence day celebration ...

2009-08-15T08:03:00.001-07:00

Namaste today we all celebrated our 62 nd * INDEPENDENCE DAY * and we all celebrated this festival with full energy . all children has started to come at 7.00 am and after that i told all the kids that why do we celebrate this festival ? and what is importancy of freedom in our life ? and if we have not freedom then what will be changes in our life : some children asked many question if we have now freedom then why too much poverty in our country and why everything is going expensive ??? i tried to give their answer and i hope they are satisfy ....
we have started our programmes at 8:30 am . in the first programme few children has performed in the kathak dance , and after that they sing a song of national anthem ... all the little children they were playing with games ... and played guitar ... and before living our main volunteer Mr. Alex Ogren from Sweden has distributed all kids Sweets ...his picture you can see also in this video...

varanasi

2009-08-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

Here children are study well and they are coming everyday . and they are enjoying the education and also we have gotton volunteer for the school and right now we have one italan volunteer stefiano , and two usa volunteer also here amanda and her boyfriend are giving education to the children right now . Stefiano he is very good in art so he teach art , and amanda she has good knowledge of teacher , and she knows how to teach kids it is very good for the kids and also good for us ... we are taking her teaching experience two more days they will be here and after that they will out side varanasi ...
varanasi weather is full of humidity and too much hot . Ganga water is not coming high level ... usually every year it comes very high and all the stair it goes downside of the water but this year still now it did not happen and rain is also not falling everything is now going very expensive in varanasi because nothting is production on the field ,,,no vegitable no fruit only stock product is selling in high price . every varanasi poor people right in now problem .

Varanasi solar eclipse & children

2009-07-22T03:34:00.000-07:00

today 22nd july is great day for varanasi we all have looked solar eclipse it was fantastic experience all children has taken this enjoyment at morning 6.00 am to 6.35 am . Before we were not sure that we would see solar eclipse or not because weather was not good here last night rain has falled here and morning time was also cloudy...
but may be god was happy so this reason it has happened at 6.21 am for 4 minute and in this four minute moon has covered the sun ... and everything dark same like night... all children were surprise to see this ...and they have asked many type question ...and i tried to solve them quaries...
today school was close but from tomorrow it will again start same like before...
right now my sister and my friend is giving lesson to all kids with me ... we have not any volunteer right now ...

New session has started....

2009-07-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hi...
School new session has started and now some new children is coming for study they all are very happy and we are also planing for children sponshership right now totally 24 children are coming and many more will come ... very soon we will distribute books, pencil, eraser, cutter, copies and some dresses for the kids.
we are finding children sponshership for older kids so that they could take higher education a good institute as you know we have facility for the below of 18 year kids...
we hope by help to all of you we will get our goal .
Thakyou by the sides of * Saraswati Education center * all team and children

Special pray in School for the Rain

2009-06-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hi...
Today we all did special pray for the weather . we all need rain in varanasi because situation is going very bad day by day . lots of problem we all are facing electric, water , hot , food , fruit , etc. lifestyle has changed this toughest hot season . lots of children are sick we also prayed for them . we pray not any one particular god we prayed universal power , because we trust that our religion is universal religion ... and we all are same and god is same we believe natural power ,,, all children and myself also we did pray and we said
* Oh Creator of this beautiful world give us your power , rain and energy , oh creator give us your happiness , smile and cold , oh creathor give us good health , good body and mind ... Oh creator u know everything if we or our before generation did something wrong then forgive us ,,, oh creator forgive us ...please please please forgive us ..... Oh creator show us real way of life and please we all need rain please please please god give us ,,, we all will thankful for you always, , , thankhyou very much .

News of the school

2009-06-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

Hi...
Everyone here right now school is close being toughest time of hot season and we hope it will be finish untill this week because many weather expert is saying that it will be finish soon and after that rain season will start i hope weather expert astrology will be true ... lets see ...
we are not taking rest still now we are full energy and working in new project we are collecting fundraising ... and we are waiting new fund raising because then we can start the project very soon ...
In the first step we will purchase the land.
In the second step we will be construction the school model & work will start,
In the third and final step we will start there classes for the children and living room for the volunteer ...
but for all thing we need your help & support and if you have any more question or anything then without hesitation you can write me .
we always be thankful our all volunteers worker and all the people. and i hope in the future also you will give your same energy and power for this noble work .

sweet and examination result , Adopting children

2009-05-28T05:50:00.001-07:00

Hi...
we have distribute all the children sweet because before giving the result should to distribution sweet .. people believe before geting any good news if we eat sweet then result also come more sweeter than our except..
so one day before we have given everyone sweet and the next day we have given all the children examination result and it is very good news that examination result is 100 % that means every one has success whole year education programme of saraswati educaiton center, varanasi , we all are very happy and now we have too much new energy and power...we have tried to attach some picture of some student but i think that picture is not coming very clear so sorry for it...
next time i will try to attach a good quality picture inside the blog..
we are also little sad because some children is now growing and we will have to send them for higher education in the different place ... so this reason we are also finding adopter who can adopt this children further education responsblity ...
this year in our school six children they are going outside for the higher education but still now we did not find a adopter or donator for their further education if you guys read this article then please say to your friend or someone and if you have any idea ..then please mail to me ...

children saw ganga few & fundraising news

2009-05-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi,
we all went 2 days before to see the sunrise with the kids it was very intresting in the morning time and we taught the children that wake up morning time it is very important and we should to work same like sun because sun rise same time like everyday and give us light same this we should to also puntual our time and in our life .. it is very important because world respect sun rise ... so we should to make always rise in our life ... all children has taken it seriously ... it was very good day ...and this time also activity classes is runing here...
and about the fundraising news yes we have gotton fundraising from the nico and his freind from Switzerland and it is about 1100 Euro and now we have approxmately 4200 $ and we hope that we will collect more good fundraising in the future also so that as soon as we could complete the dream project for the school... so please help you all ... and give to us continue your suggestion and idea ,, it is important for us...

Children are learning Drama , current news...

2009-05-16T06:41:00.001-07:00

all the children are learning since last one week drama activities they like because it opens their inside the real talent ... specially it is good for those who feel shy to speak or express the feeling and now we can look the big changes specially the shy children they are now more friendly Mr. jen told that we all are character of life we all do drama in our life as a different different acting according the situation and time ... sometime we are little baby , sometime young people, sometime responsible person and many more he said that everyone do drama in the life..
as a same way if we perform a good dramatist then we get name and fame on the stage same way in the life if we play a good character then we get also name , fame and happiness so most important thing is that we should to follow the good and reasonable way of drama,,, all children has enjoyed and got the knowledge with practical drama practise ...
thankyou Mr. jen for giving your important time in Saraswati Education center, varanasi, india,,, we can not give you anything but our best wishes with you ...

2009-05-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hi....
in this last days we have given all children special activities, we said them what is importanty of country , nation and value and why and what did our freedom fighter for the nation ... they all understood and one children asked me sir if we respect the flag then why sometime we see many people us it roughly i was too much shy and hesitate because he was right lot of uneducate person they do'nt know the value of the flag and also they do'nt know the value of country so they do this kind activities i said very clearly to him ... also we taught them that we should to clean our society and this summer /hot season we should to very careful for the sun heat and we should to drink water and we try to neglect spicy food . and if possible we should not to come day time from our house,.
we also taught them what is importanty of the photo / picture in our life and one little girl said us what we us it .. we show our office we have collected some photos and i said that phtos give us smile in our face when we go in our past life ,,, see in this picture you are looking little and now you have grown she has smiled...
this week was very good experience we have given this kind activities first time .. we all enjoyed. soon i will again update so untill that bye...

All children went outside for sight seen

2009-05-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hi,
all children went outsight in * sarnath for enjoy and see the life and buddha place. we also said them why this place is famous in world and what Buddha said here ... and thenafter we went zoo all children were very happy specially to see deer , crocodile and peacock... and they have played whole day in the ground we have taken lunch and breakfast there ... it was very fun, full of energy and good day for all of us... we are happy that every children are so much enjoy this trip . now we are planing for new session for teaching all the kids and also we are now finding sponsership for taking adopt big kids education responsiblity. more infomation we will soon update .

New school Map and more curret details of the school

2009-05-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Everyone in first picture we are showing the rooms in the map and we have planned that ground floor we will make children school room, library, medical home , big hall for activities, lunch place,,,and in the middle will be garden ...for playing and second floor we will make shelter for the children they can stay there and third floor we will make the room for our volunteers ...with single room and attach room also we will make there,,,
in the second picture is map of that place where we have decided for buy .... and third picture is also that place.....
for this project we need more and more donation , help and suggestion and for this kind project * Madam Sarah Staller and her friends From Germany has donated approxmately 1000$ we say heartly thankyou for donating....now for this project we have total money has increased but we need more donation ....
now we have totally collected 3000 $ but we need more good and big donation because for completing total project cost will come approxmately more than 30000 $ but hopefully we will get our goal very soon .... but for this noble work we need your help , suggestion , and idea...
and if you or your any friend visit in varanasi then please please visit with us...
Thankyou a lot....

children are taking holiday fun ....

2009-04-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Everyone since last few days children are drawing and learning dance here ...some very good drawing which they have made few days before ... it is tree and it has made by under guidence of Charlotte madam ...she taught that tree is very important and every children has created it altogether with her ....and this one we have attached in our class room ....

Children examination has finished

2009-04-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hi, all yesterday we have finished all children examination here...
all are very happy and smiling face ,,now varanasi is going very hot temperature is nearly 43 to 44 degree...
we are giving all children thesedays herbal drink and fruit for drink and eat ... and few days before some japaneese group they have given them a lesson that how they can save themselves and other from this hot and terrible summer time ,,, they have taught that we all should to drink more and more water ..and all ways we cover oursellves when we go outside from the house ... and they said that in this hot season we all should to take three time bath a day ..and they taught that we should not disturbe any kind animals specially pet animal like dog, cat etc.. because they are more angry in this hot season ,,, all children have gotton a very good knowledge form this japaneese group thankyou thankyou very much...
we are planing to give all kids .. activities classes in this summer season like , drawing , games , dance , music, drama, etc.. so we will have to found volunteer for this kind activities... if you know your any friend is travelling here then you can recommened them ....
see you with smile to all of you in next blog .....

Yearly Examination time for the children

2009-04-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Friend like every year this year we are also taking all the childrens examination
mostly children are present in this examination we are taking the examination all the subjects Hindi, Engtlish , Math , Science , Social science , General Knowledge , History , Civics, Drawing , Games & Acitvities , Music and from this year we made yoga for everyone important so Yoga is also one more subject we add in this examination ...
For all little kids we r taking this Subject Hindi writing and speaking , English writing and speaking , Math writing and oral table and simpel adding and subtracting,
conversation , and activities ,,, and we have taken yoga exam for the little kids only * Sun solutation * and they did very well,, we are very happy and i hope you all can imagine this happiness in all this picture specially when i was taking their yoga lesson exam that time firstly i have taken there meditation thenafter sunsolutation all togethere little and older kids,,, but little kids they did more well than compare of older kids,,,,i am glad,,,
now few exams have left more...
in 3 days more all the examination will finish...
right now we have no any volunteer we are waiting any volunteer... is someone want to join us then most welcome ....

Activities of last few days of saraswati education center

2009-04-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hi,,,
our volenteer Charlotte has send us some video and we are trying to adding this video in the blog but i could not success so please please see this all video in the facebook my facebook id is - somit yoga all the video is related of the school activities....
Here thesedays we have not volunteers and we r runing the school and school examination will be start in one an half weeks every student are doing very hard work ...
Last night i was very much impressed by two children Ajit and Barkha who were studying for their exam in the night time in the ghats streets light .it is shows their intrest towards their exam...
In the * GOOD FRIDAY * We make the children understand the sacrifice of the god for the people of his life . and we had a small programme a Dramma , of Jesus Christ, why he put in the Inri and die and again come alive two days after and shows the people and has given the people new life and showed them the way of truth to move on.
On Sataurday it was Lord Hanuman ( god of power , energy ) Birthday so we also celebrated our student Rahul did drama of hanuman and teaching childrens good things and always be truth and never goes down against evil.
usually sunday is holiday but today we all the members and student of * SARASWATI EDUCATION CENTER * gathered in the school and celebrated the * EASTER FESTIVAL * celebrated it was really very enjoy ...
by doing this SARASWATI EDUCATION CENTER thinks that all cast religion will come together and be in one community .....

About our some volunteers .....

2009-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hi,
we are lucky that our every volunteers treat with every children same like family
member . children also enjoy with them our recently ....
in the center picture of Mr. Ban form israel he has given here very good energy lots of time he expend in the school we salute his energy ..thankyou BAN .. in the left
picture she is friend of Ban she is also from israel and the right picture they are total three friends group ( YOSHI , GINA , DENALI ) ,,, YOSHI has given here math classes , gina and denali has given here english and guitar lesson to the kids thankyou all of you ...
in the next picture CHARLOTTE ROCHEZ WITH kids she is from UK very nice and good teacher also and very friendly you can see in the picture also ...
in the next picture our some volunteer with one our school kids name is Monika she sell postcard and survive her family and morning time she comes for the school evryday she is very talented girl also ....
in the last picture one volunteer she is teaching guitar...
thakyou for all of you, and some volunteer picture we have not so we could not update their picture but we can write their's name Madam Ana , south of france , Rebeca martin ( from spain ) Nicole swann ( from uk ) , Madam Daniela ossenber ( from germany )
Madam thesesa & madam nanni from Austria ; Emilian mora & EmmaBjornesparr from Argentina ... and Madam Sarah Staller from Germany ...
thankyou to all of you ...

children big school , shelter & volunteer place

2009-04-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

HELLO, everyone ......

About this picture it is the land which we have looked for the school and it is far from the main city varanasi about 9 killometer and very clean and neat atmosphere because city is now very busy and too much pollution & it is also very quite and peace full place with fresh and green area ... so that children can take good education in good atmosphere.. it is total cost is coming approxmately 6000 $ for 1200 squre feet ... and if we take more then we will have to pay more for the land so we have started for collection the money from the donation and still now we have collected 1000$ actually we want to buy minimum 1800 or 2000 spure feet land because then it will be very good place for this project.... everything is depend on the fund raising so please please give your donation say your friend and family for this noble work ... as soon as it will be then it will be more good ........It is true that right now lots of organisation or socail worker working in many countries but mostly they work for money and do'nt care the real work ... but we want to make everything very modern style so that everyone could know and also could see what is happening so we have decided that we will make one big school and their if children want to stay they can stay also because lots of poor children they expend their life on the street , bank of ganges or roughly style... and also we will make volunteer 12 room with facilitie so that volunteer from any country they can stay and feel it practically because it is very important to see what is happening here and how .../actually we want to make it very unique project in india ... because it is true lots of this kind project is runing in india but not a real way because if it run real way then uneducation & poverty finish in india.... we all want to do very practically and we hope that our this project will change of india life and varanasi also and it will be also very good for other organisation and group for learning that how should to do ...work in social way ....

Help Us Change Childrens' Lives

2009-03-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

SARASWATI EDUCATION CENTER is a charity that was established in VARANASI in JANUARY 2005 to help and support the POOR & STREET Children in Varanasi, India. The centre has been operating in Varanasi since 2000 and its central objective is to provide free education and care to the underprivileged children of Varanasi. We provide courses in English, Hindi, Mathematics, games, activities and Meditation, with the aim of giving these children skills that will enable them to create a better future for themselves and their families. We will also run projects in the future, focusing on Information Technology, aiding in the development of specific skills, raising awareness of environmental issues, creating a big school where all children can study very well and get good knowledge. Near the school will be one volunteer building where our volunteers will stay freely and they will give their energy and power to the children... providing them with a healthy meal everyday as well as a wide range of artistic and cultural activities. These projects as well as all the activities of the school are entirely sustained by voluntary assistance and donations. Therefore, it is important for the children and the centre to receive your kind support.

Our Vision
It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that children are the future of the world and one way to ensure the betterment of the world is by providing support for underprivileged children and giving them the opportunity to bring about change, mainly through education, art and nurture. YOGA EDUCATION TRAINING SOCIETY always gives yoga education to everyone in a very good way. We want people to join us in the project aimed to educate children in order to help them become independent, creative and skillful, not only to improve their standard of living but also give them the right to choose their future. We believe that knowledge is the key to development, but unfortunately not everyone has access to a free education, but together, we can change this.
Our Objectives
Our objectives are simply to give every child access to a free education and in turn provide the prospect of a better future for the children and their families. We want to create a positive atmosphere at the school, where the children are free to learn. Educating these children does not only mean that they will be able to read and write but also that they can work towards a better future, full of hope and possibilities.
Our mission
Free education. Currently the school is attended by 42 children between the ages of 4 to 16. These pupils are working to support themselves and their families with little or no access to education. Some of these children are working in poor conditions on the streets, whilst others work in shops or as cleaners. A free education is vital for their development and the promise of a better future. It is for this purpose that the Saraswati Education Centre has been established. Our central focus is to teach basic skills that will enable them to progress and create better living conditions for themselves as well as others. We especially encourage the education of girls as they have the least prospect for an education in India and therefore they may have a chance to lead a better life. It is therefore the school?s mission to provide this opportunity that is crucial in these children?s lives. The school provides lessons in Hindi, English, Horticulture, Mathematics, Information Technology and Meditation, creating a platform for these children to express themselves and learn. The school also allows the children to communicate with one another and enjoy each other?s company.
YOGA & Meditation
YOGA lessons we provide for everyone ... The Saraswati Education Centre considers Yoga & mediation a fundamental aspect of the school?s activity. At the end of each day spent together, the children meditate and reflect upon the activities of the day, to create an awareness of their body and mind and most importantly unwind before going to work.
Meal
A healthy meal will be provided everyday, in order for the children to share food in a peaceful environment with their friends. This will also allow the children to go to work with more energy and a better frame of mind.
Future Projects
Computer Skills. The centre will also focus on future projects that will teach the children essential computer skills, giving them a better chance to progress in the modern world. (We need donations for computers, or second hand computers.) Knowledge of school aims to have a vegi-garden on the rooftop of the centre as an avenue for educating children about sustainable living and raising awareness about environmental issues (global warming, water shortages and pollution in the streets of India).We want to involve skilled professionals from various backgrounds to participate with the school; we are looking for musicians, painters and dancers. We aim to develop the children artistically and creatively through different activities such as theatre productions, creating a mutually beneficial atmosphere for both the children and volunteers. This is a way through which volunteers can share their skills and promote the joy of expression.
Our Team
Our team only consists of volunteers. A woman, Pooja, my brother, Amit, and I, Somit, are three teachers working on a day-to-day basis with the children in Varanasi. We also have a team of fundraisers, web designers and other Volunteers working in Europe. We always need your donations and your participation, as it is the only way for us to keep the school running. Any help, financial or otherwise is highly valued by the volunteers but more importantly by the children!
Facilities
If any people want to take yoga lesson and if they take interest then we give very discount in yoga lesson and also we give them many facilites.. and also we are planning to make one volunteer building in the future, so if you come then you can stay there as a member .. and could get more facilities like home ...and every time to time we organise many kinds of programmes and all programmes you will get free entry. We are always ready to help all of you...

How You Can Help
If you are traveling through Varanasi, and have some spare time (be it one day, one week, or even one year) we would love for you to visit us at the school. By donating your time, you will provide the children with new educational experiences, and have a rewarding experience for yourself. All of our volunteers have thoroughly enjoyed their time. "Teaching the children guitar during each morning and evening session of school was a joy. They were always energetic, willing to try new things, and I didn't want to leave. The school is a wonderful place to spend some time." -Denali Gillaspie, a volunteer from USA. If you would like to hear about an experience from a volunteer, you may contact her at denalig@gmail.com.

If you are interested in making a donation, we would greatly appreciate it. We need money to support the education and yoga center. There are many projects we are currently planning to improve the facilities and opportunities for the children. Any amount for a donation that you are able to give would be VERY helpful. You can send your donation to either of our two accounts.

(1). Name -Somit Kumar Dutta
Bank name- State bank of india , varanasi, india
account number- 30130860747
swift code - SBININBB125

(2). Name - Saraswati Education center
Bank Name- Bank of Baroda
account number-15270100007795
swift code -BARBINBBVRN
(At the moment it is not possible to transfer money from foreign bank accounts. Please use Western Union Money Transfer or Moneygram facilities)

Please contact us at E.MAIL - ashokdutta3@yahoo.com
saraswati.yets@gmail.com

office address-
Yoga Education Training Society ( Regd. by goverment )
D.32/22, hathiphatak, bengalitola lane , varanasi
( near Dasaswamedh ghat inside bengailtola lane between Spicy Bites Restaurant and Shanti Restaurant , infront of Zee Travel upstair second floor ,
manegment by - Mr. Somit
mobile number - +919839105112