2012 has begun well for Child’s Play. Renowned soprano Patricia Rozario and her pupils Susanna Hurrell and Joanne D’Mello, along with pianist Mark Troop gave a wonderful concert (‘The Stunning Stratospheric Sopranos‘) in aid of our charity. The evening was magical and is still being talked about. Thanks to ProMusica for organising the event and for the performers for being so generous. Celebrity concerts such as these help us raise awareness about our work.

We’re also delighted to announce that Child’s Play has received the certificate of exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax law. This means that you can claim back 50% of your donation to us (in India), when you file your returns. All the more reason to make another donation this new year!

Your donations are going to support not one, not two but three projects in 2012. Our violin and recorder classes at Hamara School are progressing well. The children in the project gave their first public group performance at the Hamara School annual day function held in December at the Goa State Museum. We hope this will encourage them to work harder and enjoy their lessons even more.

Child’s Play is delighted to be offering violin lessons to underprivileged children in Kolkatta. Starting in January, we will be working with twenty boys and girls in the care of The Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church, which is an NGO that has schools and orphanages in Kolkatta.

We’re also very happy to announce that two of our violin students have successfully auditioned for places at the Kala Academy (Goa’s state-run arts academy) this year. This is no mean feat considering the short time that they have been playing the instrument and the stiff competition from a crowd of middle-class children with longer training under their belt, better instruments and more confidence. We’re so proud of Reshma and Irfan and are looking forward to their progress this year.

Happy New Year to all our supporters and allies. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts this year.