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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 2025

By Hugo Welsh | February 16, 2025

Newsletter feb 2025

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 days ago

Installation of the solar panels underway.Thanks to a very generous donor, these are not just saving money for the project but helping the environment. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 week ago

February 2025Dear Friends,One of our trustees, Francis, made his annual visit to the project in January, accompanied by his son Daniel and granddaughter, Ella. This was their first visit, and although they could only stay for 9 days, due to work commitments, it was an exciting time, encompassing Pongal! This is the main annual Tamil Hindu celebration, somewhat akin to Christmas and harvest festival combined. A time for giving thanks. Before Pongal started, a very exciting school trip was organised, taking a group of the older children and the teachers, firstly to the Vedantangal bird sanctuary, then to Mamallapuram, a very well-known seaside resort some 40 miles from Mettupalayam. There the children were able to visit several of the seaside temples as well as paddling in the sea. All the children brought pocket money, much of which went on buying sweets and snacks! As always with these outings, Venkat ensured that there were good educational aspects, and it was great seeing the teachers joining in with the fun. Back at school, all six teachers are now starting to gel as a team, and Venkat holds regular training sessions. As a group, they have decided that each teacher, apart from the minus group, will focus on one aspect of the curriculum, and have drawn up a suitable timetable. Although the formal lessons are based on the schoolbooks provided by the government, Venkat ensures that there is time for the weekly yoga sessions, and for drawing and art, run by specialist teachers who come into school, as well as sports and games The computer suite has been refurbished, at some little expense, and Venkat is looking to run classes on a Saturday, so that local secondary schoolchildren can also attend. It is surprising that no computer skills are taught in schools until higher secondary level! Provision of good nutrition is still a priority, even though many of the children now bring their own lunch. Breakfast is provided for some 15 gypsy children and 4 elderly villagers, and lunch is cooked for all who don’t bring their own, plus around 20 elderly. Twice weekly eggs, carrots and nutritious snacks are also provided. It is very gratifying to be able to follow the progress of former pupils, and pictured is Sonhiya, who is now studying law. Once qualified, she wants to specialise in women’s issues. She is sponsored by a UK Friend and Venkat recently paid around £100 for college fees and law books. Another former pupil, Rajeshwari, will be well known to many of you who read our newsletters or follow us on Facebook. Friends of Mettupalayam have supported Rajeshwari, who is profoundly deaf, and her family for many years, as both parents also have a disability, mother Rada is profoundly deaf from birth, whilst father Elumalai is almost blind, due to not having been provided with goggles whilst he was working as a welder. Rajeshwari first came to our primary school as a 4 year-old, and thanks to a UK contact, she was admitted to the Sylvia Wright School for the Hearing Impaired. Rajeshwari completed her education right up to higher secondary level, and was then accepted into the Presidents College in Chennai, one of Tamil Nadu’s premier universities. She will complete her studies in the summer. It is exciting that last month, family arrangements were made for Rajeshwari and Santos, who were in the same class at school, to be married later this year. Over the years, Venkat has made many contributions to support pupils either in secondary school or college. It may have only be a small sum to pay for essential expenses, like joining the school pta, buying extra books or items of uniform, right up to paying college fees for the year. For many, this has enabled them to continue in education.The last newsletter included information regarding the planned installation of solar panels. It is exciting to be able to confirm that the donor, Glen and his wife visited the project this week and were able to provide their expertise and meet with the solar installer at the project. By the time this letter is sent out, the panels should have been installed and be in use! Projected savings indicate a return of capital within 4/5 years, and an annual saving of around £450, together with the environmental benefits.Farm work continues and a reasonable monsoon season should ensure good crops later in the year. Expansion of the orchard land continues, with a further 10 acres due to be planted this year bringing the total to around 23 acres. This will mostly be fruit trees, but some teak wood trees are also planned. The oil pressing machinery is working well although Venkat is looking to perhaps employ a further worker to expand production once the harvest resumes. Cattle have always been kept on the farm, ever since Bedale Primary School donated the money to buy the first cow, obviously named Bedale! The entire herd was recently sold, apart from a granddaughter of Bedale and there are now two calves, with another hopefully coming later in the year. It is amazing that Venkat has now been working in Mettupalayam for over 40 years, firstly with a very small group of village children, with little funding, in 1984, to starting evening classes for the Kuruvi tribal children around 1990 and now teaching a 3rd generation! Friends of Mettupalayam have been supporting his work now for around 35 years, and our thanks go to all those very committed and loyal donors who help us find the funds to continue this very important work. Finally, thanks to Venkat, the schoolteachers and all the villagers for being so welcoming and friendly to visitors. It is a real privilege to be able to visit and experience a little of their lives, hopes and dreams for the future. 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

1 week ago

A local businessman (quarry owner, adjacent to our farm) has donated 5000rps (£50) to provide a special lunch and cake to all our school children to celebrate his birthday. Another example of the high regard in which our primary school is held. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

A fun mid-morning, playing with Lego or colouring books/drawing.The minus class and standard one have been down to the Government creche for a routine check up. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

Mid afternoon, sometimes you just have to! ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

Nothing insightful, just children having a great time in our playground.Funding for the initial equipment came from Bedale Primary School many years ago. At the time, three FOM trustees were working there.Venkat also still has a cow that is granddaughter to the first cow bought by the project, again with funds from Bedale Primary School.Several other schools in the Bedale area have been so supportive over the years, helping to improve lives for so many children over the last 35 years. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Celebrating two granddaughters birthdays. Always joyful to share a lovely, freshly baked cake with all the children and teachers This year, as well as singing Happy Birthday, teacher Minella arranged for the children to sing a Tamil Happy Birthday song.At the end of the day assembly, I told all the children that we were celebrating theirBirthdays in advance. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

What a wonderful morning. Venkat and I took Rajeshwari, her parents, and aunty and grandma to a small village near Vandavasi, to meet with the family of Rajeshwari's intended husband. The family discussed the arrangements, and sought approval from each other, for the match.Things seemed to go well, and a return visit to Mettupalayam has been arranged for this weekend.Provided all goes well, this will be a remarkable marriage- inter caste, inter faith and a love match. Rajeshwari and Santos are both deaf and met in the same class at the Rangammal School for the Hearing Impaired.Who could have believed that this would happen, when we took Rajeshwari for enrolment to the special school when she was 5.Venkat has requested that the marriage doesn't take place until Rajeshwari finishes her course at the most prestigious Presidents College in Chennai. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

What an amazing start to our visit.After some delays to our flights, we arrived to a warm friendly welcome- all the children and teachers smiling and excited.Our first full day was spent taking some children to the local temple, then a teachers meeting, and time spent in the classrooms. A special lunch was provided for all by a local shopkeeper, in memory of his late sister.Today, Saturday we organised a school trip for the older children, 30 in all, plus teachers and some family members. We hired a coach and we travelled by car, firstly to a wonderful bird sanctuary at Vedantangal. We then travelled to the coast, a very famous town called Mamallapuram, where there are world famous sea temples. And, of course, the beach. Although I've been many times today was a special day for pilgims, and everywhere was crowded Back safe and sound this evening, many brilliant memories, lots of happy children, and no-one was sick in the bus!It is mine and Rosie's great privilege to meet the cost of this very special day, a very small amount but with such great results. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Wishing all our Friends around the world a very Happy New Year.With very grateful thanks to all those who have donated, worked for or helped in any way to support and aid Venkat and his dedicated team in and around Mettupalayam.When I visit next week, I will be taking so much of your love with me, to share and support the next years work. ... See MoreSee Less

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