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Changing Lives, A Rural Development Project in South India

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Changing Lives, A Rural Development Project in South India

Welcome
Education
Health
Employment
Fundraising Events
How to Donate
Newsletters
Contact Us

Newsletter Winter 2023

By Hugo Welsh | January 10, 2024

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

5 days ago

A copy of our latest newsletter. For the photos, please see our website, www.irdt.co.uk. November 2024Dear Friends,As we approach the end of another eventful year, we are pleased to update you on things at Mettupalayam and to give a progress report on some items from our August newsletter.The Crakehall School in MettupalayamSchool numbers and attendance levels remain strong, and Venkat is pleased with the progress of his relatively new teaching team. We have two FOM Trustees who have teaching backgrounds, and they plan to strike up a regular online connection with the Mettupalayam teachers. The idea is at a formative stage and there will be logistical and language issues to be addressed, but it is hoped that the link can provide shared learning, foster an increased level of belonging and demonstrate the value we place in the key role the teachers play in giving the local children the best possible start. Post-Primary school supportAs reported before, Venkat has been highly successful in attracting children from the local gypsy village to our primary school. While the Mettupalayam village children now all progress into secondary education when they leave our school, this is much less the case with the gypsy children. Venkat tells us that there are some thirty children (mainly girls) between the age of 11 and 17, who regularly wander aimlessly around the area, with negative outcomes such as poor health, unwanted pregnancies and lack of any educational progression.Consequently, Venkat has asked us if we would support the setting up of a “club” for this group, to provide support such as vocational/crafts training and health education. We have told him we are very supportive in principle and asked that he put together a more detailed proposal. Until such time as the local authorities enforce further education attendance, we feel we should do what we can to ensure that the education we provide at primary school is not wasted on this marginalised group. We are so lucky to have someone in Venkat who has such a complete understanding and appreciation of the needs of all groups in the area around the project.Two Capital Expenditure Projects2 / 2Solar Panels – Following the appeal for support in our last newsletter, we were thrilled to be contacted by Glen Peters, a friend of FOM, who runs a solar panel business based in Pembrokeshire. Glen has offered to pay for the full cost of the installation in Mettupalayam. He is also planning to visit the project in February and Venkat is arranging for the local installers to be present for his visit, after which we will give the go-ahead. Thank you very much, Glen.Deep Bore-well – It is planned to go forward with this in the first half of 2025, which will be the appropriate time for the work to be done.UK NewsWe are pleased to say that Francis is going to visit the project again in January. This time he will be accompanied for part of his visit by his son Daniel and Daniel’s daughter Ella. The visit will serve many positive uses. Firstly, it is a great fillip for Venkat. Secondly, Francis will be able to provide a fresh eye on all the work the project is doing. And thirdly, it will be lovely to have two new visitors in Daniel and Ella to show our continued support for the team. Venkat keeps the schoolchildren informed about Friends of Mettupalayam and finds ways to celebrate the links with us here in the UK. Here, the children are singing happy birthday to our co-founder Adele. And there is the bonus for them of course, a slice of very sweet cake!FundraisingWe had a fantastic set of donations via the wedding of Cody Sands and her husband Sarvesh. Cody is the granddaughter of our great supporters, Susan and Martin Sands. Sarvesh is originally from India and Cody has always had a keen interest in the project though her parents and grandparents. When they got married recently, they asked that donations be made to FOM rather than receiving wedding gifts. What a wonderful thing. We received over £2000 in donations through a JustGiving account we set up for them. Here they are with Cody’s proud grandparents.As we approach Christmas, two of our trustees are planning coffee mornings for neighbours. It is an opportunity to spread the word and raise funds. If anyone wishes to do the same there is lots of information available about the project on our website at irdt.co.ukWe hope you have found this update useful. Please do let us know if there is any subject you would like us to cover in future editions.Venkat and his team send their very best wishes to you and your families for a very Happy Christmas and New Year.Contact us:Adele Eldridge Francis and Rosie Muncaster Hugo and Jean Welsh01969 650618 07491948878 07802641073 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less

Welcome | IRDT | Friends of Mettupalayam Trust | Charity

irdt.co.uk

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

2 weeks ago

Venkat's variation on physical education.The children all look to be enjoying it. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 weeks ago

Sending best wishes to all our Friends in India. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

Making the most of our farmland, the children enjoy planting banana trees amongst the coconut trees.Our school is so unusual in having an associated farm that the pupils can access and be involved with. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

After spending time in school studying and learning about different foods, the children are invited to choose a dish to prepare and cook at home. These dishes are then judged and prizes awarded.The variety of dishes is quite surprising, and the children take the competition very seriously! ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Another new term, another new set of school books. Venkat is very happy that pupil numbers remain just below 100, with no dropouts. We still have a full team of teachers who are gaining in experience. Each week, the pupils also benefit from lessons with a yoga teacher. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Speaking to Venkat today, he is recovering from a week of bad fever! He must have been poorly as he had 2 days in bed! Anand has been caring for him, and the IRDT doctor has also been supervising his treatment.He is now up and about, but worrying as there was very little south west summer rain. The north east monsoon is due later in the month, so little work can be done on the farm until then. Our fruit orchard is surviving and the coconut trees, over 200 planted recently, are very hardy and shouldn't be harmed.School has reached the end of the first term and new books are due next week ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Yesterday was the 3rd birthday of Hemanthika, the granddaughter of our school cook, Kanniammal. To celebrate, and give thanks to the gods, Kanniammal paid for all of our pupils, and the 25 old age people to whom we provide lunch each day, to have a full special meal.You may wonder why we feed the elderly- in olden days, their family would provide, but having educated two generations now, most of the younger folk have moved to the towns and cities to access well paid jobs. Although a small government pension is given, many elderly are living below the poverty line and need our support. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Another of our regular health camps organised by IRDT, and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Utheramerur. 109 patients examined in total-40 patients recommended for further investigations, 9 elderly patients identified needing cataract operations, 20 of our Crakehall Primary School pupils needing dental work and another 11 requiring further examinations With access to general medical care sometimes difficult or costly, the relationship that IRDT and Venkat in particular has with the local medical college is so beneficial to both the college and to our school and the wider community. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 months ago

Crakehall Primary School Mettupalayam, our teachers. ... See MoreSee Less

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