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Changing Lives, A Rural Development Project in South India

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Newsletter August 2019

By admin | September 4, 2019
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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 days ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
We are often asked what support Venkat and IRDT receive from their community. This week, a very charitable lady from Chennai has donated half a tonne of good quality rice and each Kuruvi tribal family in Nadu Pattu has received 5kgs. These tribal communities, and we support three distinct and different tribes living around Mettupalayan, have been inordinately affected by the lockdowns, as they are unable to generate income from their normal activities, possibly selling beads, herbal medicines, cobbling work, or traditional foraging for food by hunting and fishing.Without IRDTs help, the level of starvation and deprivation would be unbearable.Again, an enormous thank you to all our Friends and donors, wherever you are living. Your support and encouragement enable this vital work to be maintained, along with all the normal development work through education that goes on throughout the year. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Lockdown continues with local food markets closed, so Venkat has temporarily restarted the Food Aid programme. This week, around 700 families will receive vegetables and rice, enough for seven days. Enforcing social distancing is easier than making sure that they all wear masks, but Venkat and his staff do their very best Sadly, we understand that some 15 Covid deaths have been seen near to our project, including one in Mettupalayam village. It is also very upsetting that Stanley, the husband of our very dearest friend Sakthi, died recently, and we send our deepest condolences to her and her family and to all those affected by this dreadful situation. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Venkat finds so many ways to help the poorest in Mettupalayam and district. Providing lunch for over 300 tribal, old age villagers and children, with vegetables bought from local farmers. This is a real double edged benefit, as the normal vegetable markets are closed due to the lockdown, so the farmers haven't got their normal outlets.Thank you Friends, for your continuing support in this dreadful pandemic ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Despite all the Covid19 problems and the current lockdown, in his spare time, Anand is still sharing his expertise by providing computer training for village students.These one hour sessions are very much enjoyed and appreciated, and provide an early insight for these young and enthusiastic students. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Pleased to say that our Spring quiz answers are now available on our websitewww.irdt.co.ukWe hope you enjoyed participating and plan a Summer quiz before too long Donations are still gratefully received ... See MoreSee Less

Welcome | IRDT | Friends of Mettupalayam Trust | Charity

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Friends of Mettupalayam is a village based project supporting children and adults in a very poor rural area of Tamil Nadu, South India.
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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Plants seem to grow so fast in Tamil Nadu! The seeds of these Okra (Ladies finger) plants were only put in just a few weeks ago by pupils at our Crakehall Primary School, Mettupalayam and some of them are nearly ready for harvesting.Good fertile soil, very hot temperatures and water are all that is needed, plus careful tending by the pupils! ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust is sharing a COVID-19 update.

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Special Covid 19 Update, 5 May 2021Hello Friends,Given the dreadful news coming from India in recent days, and the concern expressed by Friends, we felt it appropriate to provide the most up-to-date information from the project. The trustees held a video call today with Venkat and his son Anand. Here are the key facts and outputs from that discussion:• The situation in Tamil Nadu is worsening significantly. A few weeks ago, there were 400 cases per day. This has now increased to 22,000 per day.• At present, the position is most serious in the cities, but this is beginning to spread to rural areas.• Belatedly, a state-wide lockdown has been ordered from 6 May and there is talk of a national lockdown. As we know, lockdowns cause other pressures on low-income areas like Mettupalayam.• Venkat has had both vaccine jabs, which is great news. However, he is very much in the minority. There are vaccine supply issues and there is a serious issue in terms of “vaccine hesitancy”. Culturally there is a reluctance to be vaccinated, with many thinking they will rely on natural remedies. Additionally, Venkat tells us that there has been a lot of television reporting against the vaccines. We recognise this issue from our own experience, that the risk/benefit arguments are complex and that Venkat cannot just instruct people that they must take the vaccine. Venkat and Anand are preparing actions to support the local community against the devastating second wave that seems to be rapidly approaching the area.- They are preparing evidence-based pamphlets for distribution.- They will distribute free face masks at meeting points around the vicinity.- They will provide transport to vaccination centres, as necessary.- They will pay for vaccination as appropriate for those who are not yet in the eligible age-groups.- They are preparing to support those in need in whatever ways required.The position is precarious, and we will remain in constant contact with Venkat. As Trustees, we have pledged whatever support is needed during this emergent situation, just as we did during the lockdown last year. Venkat sends his heartfelt thanks for the support you give, which has made such a difference to so many over the years and surely will over the coming months.Thank youContact us:Adele Eldridge Francis and Rosie Muncaster Hugo and Jean Welsh01969 650618 07491 948878 07802 641073adeleeldridge@gmail.com fmuncaster@hotmail.com hugo.welsh30@gmail.com ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Some good news from our farm near Mettupalayam. Another female calf to join our growing herd. She looks strong and healthy, and following the paddy harvest, we have plenty of straw for feed during the hot, dry season. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
With all the horrific news coming out of India, it's still heartwarming to see these very disadvantaged tribal children, filling their heads with knowledge and their stomachs with food!Thank you Venkat and IRDT for continuing to support this group with the education and nutrition programme.Thank you also to a very special Friend in the UK, for fully funding this addition to Venkat's work. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Friends of Mettupalayam Trust
Just been watching the horrendous Covid news coming out of India at the moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone there battling this pandemic I spoke to Venkat yesterday, and it seems that Mettupalayam and district currently remain at a low level, and we both hope this continues. All our schoolchildren are having their temperature checked each morning, and the school year finishes at the end of the month. ... See MoreSee Less
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