While the shacks, restaurant and hotels are almost running empty, here’s another side to the story where Russian kids meet nature at a playschool in Morjim, an institution run by a Russian couple for its citizens who come to tour Goa.
Identified as ‘Sunflower’, about 15 children spend an entire day while their parents are touring Goa. Not only this, a few of them stay back to take care of the little inmates, cook and serve them the food, and enjoy every moment with each other. “It is a mixture of play, understanding spirit of collectivity and developing emotional health. As far as academic learning is concerned, they are taught alphabets and vocabulary,” Leana, co-owner of the institution told this reporter.
The institution, a house rented out by a Goan family, was started about three years ago to cater to Russians citizens who are on a short term visit to Goa. “Children don’t like repeating their visit to certain places and in such situation, parents leave them with us. We have no teacher or cook, but we, parents are the teachers and cooks. We maintain the playschool on rotation,” she said. The playschool does not accept infants, unless he/she is accompanied by at least one parent. Since it is not a registered institution, the children are not given any certificates. The Russian parents have urged that if Goa government supports this initiative, it could boost more arrivals to the State while they would also assist the government in various forms.
Similarly, two crèches located nearby the popular tourist area are also run by Russian citizens.
Making their presence even more evident, a pamphlet in Russian language known as ‘Shanti Times’ was being published until the last season. However, sources say, due to decline in tourists this year, not a single issue was published this season.
The monthly pamphlet consisted of details about places to visit, where to eat, stay and other details about Goa. This season, due to lack of funds, the supplement has not been released. “It was a non priced publication,” a source said.
