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Changing Lives, A Rural Development Project in South India

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Newsletter-February-2018

By admin | February 20, 2018
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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 days ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
For the first time in almost 2 years, Venkat has been able to arrange for a doctor based at the Government hospital in Chengleput to come and hold a free surgery in Mettupalayam.We hope that the regular Friday surgery will now be able to continue in future.Easy frequent access to health care is so important, especially in such a rural area. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Newsletter NOVEMBER 2021Hello Friends. Whenever we speak with Venkat he asks us to pass on his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made it possible for him to follow his life’s work in rural development in and around Mettupalayam. So, thank you!Climate change.As we write, Tamil Nadu has been hit (again) by major flooding. Venkat can say with certainty that extremes of weather have become much more frequent in recent years. Chennai airport was closed with the runway under more than 6 feet of water. Of course, the flooding has hit the poorest worst. Of its 7.5 million population, 2 million live in severe poverty, often inhabiting areas close to lakes. Many houses are now under water. Around our project area lakes and wells are full to overflowing and we have just heard that heavy rain is falling again. Adele reminded us recently, that Mettupalayam means “higher place” and fortunately this and previous prevention work done by our project has meant that the buildings in Mettupalayam village are currently just about ok, but if the nearby lake area overtops then the village will flood. The quarry group’s makeshift village, Ullampakam, has mud hut dwellings with palm leaf roofs (pictured above) and these became saturated letting water pour in. Venkat immediately arranged extra food support and then worked on temporary dry accommodation. This is where his 35 years of local knowledge and influence once again paid off. The area council, or Panchayat, has a new leader, who happens to be an ex-pupil of our Mettupalayam primary school. Her name is Gheeta and Venkat has been supporting her in studying rural development. Gheeta arranged for the Ullampakam villagers to have temporary shelter in the primary school building in the local village of Karani, until their own houses could dry out. Unfortunately, the owner of the building would only allow the tribespeople 3 days in the school, so Venkat has now moved most of the 60 villagers to our own school at Mettupalayam. He has allocated 2 classrooms and provided yoga mats for beds! With support from local friends, he is providing them with hot food (Venkat pictured here).Recognising that these extreme weather conditions are no longer a one-off, Venkat and Gheeta are approaching the local government to build proper concrete houses close to where the quarry group currently live. Money is apparently available to support tribal groups, so we are hopeful that this may be forthcoming. We will also work with him to see what further flood prevention measures can be made around the Mettupalayam village. Separately, Venkat is keen to take a lead in making sustainable changes at the project and to build an understanding of climate change into the school curriculum. His son, Anand, has purchased a solar panel that charges a battery for small items in the project building. Venkat would really like us to invest in a larger-scale solar energy approach, with panels probably on the school roof. This could power the school, lighting on the road outside the school and more. We have asked that they work up a proposal and we wonder if this might be a capital expense that any Friends or Friend might be interested in supporting? We will provide further information in due course but would be keen to hear your thoughts on this.Other newsWe are cautiously pleased to report that Covid 19 cases currently remain low in the area. We understand that 96% of the Mettupalayam villagers have had at least their first vaccine and are being actively encouraged to get second doses. Always ready to take an opportunity, Venkat also managed to get the Ullampakam villagers vaccinated when they were housed in their temporary accommodation! Whilst our schools at Mettupalayam and Nambikki have remained open, government schools had been closed throughout the pandemic. They opened recently, only to temporarily close again due the flooding.Support for another poor tribal group at the nearby village of Manampathy has been ongoing, helped in large part by one generous Friend’s donations. Here, children have received extra teaching and regular nutritional food.Fundraising and UK NewsFundraising has proved tricky again this year but there are Friends of Mettupalayam who are prepared to do some amazing, generous, kind and sometimes incredible things to support the charity and Venkat's work. Many Thanks to you all, including…two of Jean and Hugo’s daughters, Sarah and Jennifer, who completed a Half Iron Man (mad girls); the congregation at Pickhill church who have generously continued their annual donation; and Liz Ramsay and friends who organised a lovely community event and coffee morning at Crakehall church – all raising amazing and much needed funds. In the spirit of Growing Together, trustees and friends spent a wonderful day planting over a thousand bulbs in Chris and Alison's new orchard. The weather was kind to us and payment for our labours took the form of tasty soup, made with homegrown veg, fantastic cake and another generous donation to the project.Growing Together can be accessed via Facebook and is a secure online forum for people sharing garden and growing experiences both in Mettupalayam and the UK.Although it will be a little more dormant over the Winter it is hoped that it will 'Spring' into a new growing season next year with even more energy and fundraising potential in 2022.Thank you all for your continued interest and support and we wish everyone here and in Mettupalayam a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Fundraising has, for obvious reasons, been curtailed of late, so this mornings coffee morning at St Gregory's Church, Crakehall was much appreciated. Thanks to Liz Ramsay and Adele and all the helpers for making it so special. A magnificent total of £826 is now available in our account to support the work that Venkat and his staff are doing in Mettupalayam and surroundings. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Once again, the most wonderful birthday celebration from all the pupils and staff at the Crakehall School, Mettupalayam. A special lunch, with payasam for dessert, then a birthday cake to share out.Thank you Venkat and teachers, this is really a very special custom which means so much to us. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Lunchtime at the tribal settlement of Kavakarai. The children should now be getting a wholesome midday meal at school but we still provide weekend meals. Also, daily meals for the elderly continue. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
A very happy divali (deepavali) to all our Friends around the world, but especially in and around our Crakehall Primary School in Mettupalayam.Diwali signifies peace and joy, and the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.Tonight we will be lighting a candle to celebrate these ideas, how many would like to join with us? ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
How time flies! Today, Venkat and the teachers have been distributing the new text books and notebooks for the second term.At our Crakehall School, Mettupalayam, teaching has continued despite Covid, unlike Government primary schools, which remain closed. They are due to open next week but the pupils will have lost around 18 months of their education. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
More photos from today's trip to the river. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Following the recent monsoon rains Venkat arranged a school outing to the nearby Chayar River. Riding on the tractor's trailer was great fun and the children enjoyed paddling in the river and later drawing the water check dam and the cannals that take the water to the lake outside Utheramirur.Educational and enjoyable, what could be better. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Further progress on the shelter at the tribal settlement of Kovakarai.The children still haven't been able to return to school, so you can imagine how essential this support is. Like all our schoolchildren, they also benefit from a nutritious and tasty midday meal.Of course, we also pay a salary to their teacher, who is gaining in expertise as the weeks go on. ... See MoreSee Less

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