Newsletter August 2019

1 day ago

A visit by our UK trustees gives Venkat and Nagarajan (IRDT trustees) an excellent opportunity to engage with our team of teachers at the Crakehall Primary School. During our meeting, we discussed ways of improving our performance and enhancing the pupils education. There were some excellent suggestions from the teachers which we will all try to take forward as soon as possible. ... See MoreSee Less

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6 days ago

At Polam Hall Christmas Fair. 🎄Come and see us if you are in the area 😊 ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

Two large bags full of surplus school uniforms donated by the parents and children at Ravensworth Primary School, ready to be packed up for my trip out to Mettupalayam next week. From past experience, I know how much this wonderful gesture will be appreciated.
Some of the children have also written letters and we have photos to share. I can see I need to prepare a lesson plan!
I am also taking the school teddy with me, and will photo our journey there and our experiences of school and daily life of the children at our Crakehall Primary School in Mettupalayam, South India. We have already arranged a date for a presentation school assembly at Ravensworth on my return. ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

Just some nice photos of some of our minus group schoolchildren on a short visit to the nearby Patchyamman Koil (Green God temple).
Primary education is much more than following the Government's textbooks, and enriching schooldays in this way is a very important part of our Crakehall School Mettupalayam syllabus. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 weeks ago

Following the marriage of our doctor Sangeetha Priya, we now have a new doctor for our Friday free surgery.
Dr Velmurugan is a surgeon at the government hospital in Chengleput, and has his own afternoon surgery locally. He now comes at 3pm each Friday to give service to our project in Mettupalayam.
We also have our long serving nurse, Sundhari.
Access to free healthcare for all the people in our project area really does make a difference.., in both prevention and treatment of illness. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 weeks ago

The latest newsletter is now available on our website- www.irdt.co.uk ... See MoreSee Less

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4 weeks ago

Happy Deepavali to all our Indian Friends. ... See MoreSee Less

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4 weeks ago

Groundnut (peanut) harvesting.
A dry season crop, peanuts are an important element of the villagers' nutrition. This year, prices are higher than usual, due to poor growing conditions, so the opportunity for the villagers to benefit from helping to harvest our crop is very important.
As always, Venkat is happy to provide work and as payment, the workers are given a fifth of the yield. Normally, other farmers only give a seventh!
Another benefit is having cover from the monsoon rains, meaning that we can continue the harvesting in reasonable conditions.
Extra employment is important during the monsoon season, as the government's Rural Employment Scheme doesn't operate for these three months, so there is little work around. ... See MoreSee Less

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1 month ago

It's always exciting when new pupils arrive at our Crakehall Primary School, Mettupalayam! These four Kuruvi tribal children, shown in their normal clothes, then in their new school uniforms (provided free, of course) start what should be a very happy few years with us, before hopefully going on to secondary school and possibly beyond.
All the pupils benefit from free school meals and daily snacks, a comprehensive education including exercise and yoga, and regular health checks.
In a fast changing India, aided by our comprehensive and enjoyable education, these little ones will have excellent opportunities ahead of them! ... See MoreSee Less

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1 month ago

Wishing our very good Friend Sivakumar, a happy birthday for today.
Sivakumar was one of our very first pupils and a very great friend to David and Adele. His children are now second generation pupils at our Crakehall Primary School, Mettupalayam.
Sivakumar is an excellent leader and example for his fellow tribal people and also a very nice man! ... See MoreSee Less