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Changing Lives, A Rural Development Project in South India

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Education
Health
Employment
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How to Donate
Newsletters
Contact Us

Newsletter February 2024

By Hugo Welsh | March 3, 2024

Newsletter-Feb2024 (2)

Posted in current, Uncategorized

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 days 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

3 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

1 month ago

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

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

New school bags for all the pupils, courtesy of the Government. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Photos from Friends of Mettupalayam Trust's post ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

India's 78th Independance Day celebrations at our Crakehall School, Mettupalayam. After a march through the village, the children raise the flag and put on a performance, with a guest appearance of Ghandi! They also honoured the elderly in the community, with flag badges.So lovely to see so many villagers and parents attending the celebrations. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Our latest newsletter. August 2024Dear Friends,“Caring and Sharing, that is what our project is all about Hugo”. Venkat has a way of getting to the heart of things, using words that have a certain power. On our phone call he had just told me how he had arranged for a small supply of rice, biscuits and clothes to be collected and distributed following the catastrophic mudslides that have killed hundreds of people and made countless more homeless in the neighbouring district of Kerala. Sometimes your support does not just help the people in Mettupalayam and its surrounds. Which reminds me of that marvellous quote that David Eldridge elicited from the then Bishop of Durham “Charity starts at home, but it doesn’t have to stop there!” The Crakehall School in MettupalayamVenkat is very happy with his relatively new team of six teachers which includes two former pupils who have gone on to gain their teacher training qualifications and one returning teacher Mohana, who had been a valued member of the team before leaving to have a family. According to Venkat, school numbers are at 85, but sometimes increase to 95 when he can encourage a reticent group from the gypsy village! As previously explained, some of the pupils come from difficult beginnings and require extra help. This year, this includes two children who cannot yet speak. All the pupils have been issued with new uniforms and the school team provide breakfast for around 25 children. Recently breakfast has also been given to a small group of local old-age people who are living on their own and with little support. This is in addition to the school and old age people mid-day meals programme.Healthcare and Education The project is increasingly using local medical colleges to provide health camps for education, check-ups and treatment. The colleges are required to provide free support to rural areas and the only cost to the project is in the provision of food and drink during their visits. A particular focus has been on eye health for older people and dental health and education for children. This has included educational sessions in school and Venkat has arranged for new toothbrushes and the supply of toothpaste for all 95 pupilsFarmFortunately, the severe monsoons in Kerala have not hit Tamil Nadu, but there has been sufficient rain to allow the preparation of fields for planting of paddy and pulses. Venkat has also planted 250 coconut plants. He says they may take 5 or 6 years to fruit but will then last 100 years – long-term planning!! (The photo shows some existing product on sale). However, the excavations of a very deep quarry right next to our farmland have meant that our existing borehole is now not drawing sufficient water for our wells. This is a major issue for the necessary irrigation of our fields. We hope to address this as part of two capital projects outlined later in this newsletter. UK News and Fundraising We recently enjoyed attending another coffee morning at the methodist chapel in Upper Poppleton, a regular annual event where all the funds raised are donated to our charity. The photo shows our sales table, carrying goods from India as well as locally produced items and donated items. The cake stall also went down very well!Our Friend Karen continues to run regular jewelry workshops, kindly donating all the money raised to us, thanks Karen! Our long-standing link (over 30 years) with Bedale Primary School continues, and Adele has been into school several times last term, sharing news and information with the children. A joint art project is proposed and donations from the school have paid for a lovely new supply of art materials for the children in Mettupalayam.Finally, we are still very happy to come and give slideshow talks to any groups that would be keen to find out more about our community and friendship with the people in Mettupalayam and district.Two Capital Expenditure ProjectsWe have been in discussion with Venkat about two new requests for funding.First is the installation of solar panels on the roof of the project building. With the almost constant supply of sun, the ever-increasing cost of electricity supply, the potential to store a small amount of energy in the case of (quite frequent) power cuts and the availability of government grants, the Trustees believe that this is a sensible time to make this investment.Second and as highlighted earlier, we have a need to address water supply for the farm and we would like to support Venkat’s request for a new deep borewell which he advises is vital if we are to reap the benefits of the farm. Each of these projects will cost in the region of £2000, a total of £4000. We recognise that these capital projects are somewhat outside the normal project running costs and therefore would like to seek special donations specifically for this. If you or anyone you know is interested in supporting this or knowing more, please get in touch. Thank you.Venkat sends you his sincere thanks for all your support, without which the project’s caring and sharing would not be possible.Contact us:Adele Eldridge Francis and Rosie Muncaster Hugo and Jean Welsh01969 650618 07491948878 07802641073 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

A special God's day on Friday at the Patchyamman Koil (temple).Our older pupils enjoyed a ride in the tractor trailer, a special meal and a visit to the temple. The new school uniforms look very smart. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Many thanks to Poppleton Methodist chapels "coffee on the green'Rosie and Karen took home baked cakes and our Indian goods to sell, and raised a total of £333!These events really help in raising the money needed to help Venkat carry on with his life's work. ... See MoreSee Less

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