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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 July 2025

By Hugo Welsh | August 12, 2025

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

10 hours ago

Mettupalayam villagers celebrating the month of the Green God, and also Lord Ganesh. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 week ago

We have received an invitation to attend the wedding of our beloved Friend Rajeshwari to Santosh, on the 14th September.How both Rosie and I wish we could be there, but we will be thinking of them on the day and hope to receive some photos to share with you all later.It doesn't seem that long ago since Venkat took Rajeshwari to the Rangammal School for the Hearing Impaired, as a 5 year old. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 weeks ago

August 15th, the 79th anniversary of Indian independence.As always, the Crakehall Primary School children hold a special celebration and wear their flags with pride. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

3 weeks ago

Last Friday was the start of a month of celebrations at the Patchyamman Koil (temple) near our school. As usual, Venkat took the pupils on the tractor and trailer, to worship and join in. A special meal was prepared and enjoyed by all. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

4 weeks ago

Dear Friends,Welcome to our latest update from your rural development project in Mettupalayam. A time to reflectAugust 15th 1984 was the day Venkat, sitting on a rock, started his first lesson to a handful of young children on the dusty ground around him. From that moment and with the inspirational support of David, and then Adele, Eldridge, he has sought to make his dream a reality. The dream to bring education, and a better future to the village of Mettupalayam and its surroundings. Mettupalayam (village on a hill) was in a very poor rural area where the children received no formal education, only 1% (one person) of the population was literate, families suffered from severe malnutrition and water supply was from unsafe open wells. This photo is Venkat on that same rock 40 years on!Because of Venkat’s tireless commitment and your unwavering and generous support, the local children now attend our Crakehall primary school and progress to higher education; illnesses linked to poverty have been almost completely eradicated (in 1984 12% of the local population had Leprosy and Tuberculosis was common); nutritious food (often supplied through our own farm) is available; safe water supplies have been provided and health support and education is a priority. And of course, there is much more which underpins a comprehensive programme of rural development.Talking with Venkat recently he told me “I feel like one of the luckiest people in the whole of India. The generosity and friendship of all those people in the UK who have supported us in whatever way has enabled me to follow my dream. We have achieved so much, but don’t worry I have more dreams!”The Crakehall SchoolAttendance remains healthy at between 70 and 75 pupils and all the children were recently provided with new school uniforms made by our village tailor Kanniammal. Friends may recall that Kanniammal was trained by Karen on one of her many visits. As previously advised, we increased salaries last year to aid retention and improve teacher quality. One of our newer teachers has an IT qualification and Venkat has asked her to lead computer training of the other teachers. To support this, he has invested in an interactive electronic whiteboard which links to a pc. It is planned that all the teachers will soon be able to use this with each year group. Venkat says it “should not just be the well-off children who have access to up-to-date learning aids”. Venkat will be having a break in August to visit his daughter who is having her second baby. We are delighted that he feels confident to leave the running of the school with his teaching team.HealthIn addition to the regular doctor visit, Venkat recently organised a health camp visit from a local Nursing College where the children and some villagers had check-ups and health advice. They have also started a free patient delivery service to a local hospital for rural people requiring treatment, a major step forward.Water supply and FarmThe development of a very large quarry next to our farmland has had a significant impact on our water supply to the farm. We have therefore authorised Venkat to initiate works to deepen and improve supply from two of our existing wells. He has taken expert advice and plans for this work to commence in January, after the monsoon season.In light of the water supply issue, Venkat has switched planting away from paddy to sugarcane which will require much less irrigation. He also has access to a local sugar factory and hopes this will support running costs over the next few years. We look forward to keeping you updated.I suggested that no paddy might also be good as it would mean less water snakes, but Venkat told me that snakes are very honest creatures, so long as you don’t touch them!Solar PanelsWe are pleased to say that the investment in solar panels on the project building is going well, with monthly electricity running costs reduced by 85%, plus some units stored for use at higher demand times. The teachers have also been able to use this as a good educational message with the children, about energy and the climate.UK NewsFundraising remains a priority in these days of financial pressures, so we were absolutely delighted by the generosity of people who attended Coffee on the Green at Poppleton, York. Our huge thanks to Rosie, Karen and Jenny. We also had generous donations from a talk given by Francis to Darlington Probus group ( a further talk has already been booked in!) and two personal donations collected by Adele. With our recent investments in environment related projects (solar and water) we need to keep a focus on fundraising. If you can support us, we are always keen to provide information and advice. Coffee mornings are an easy and sociable option, and we have lots of project information available. Rosie and Francis are holding another coffee morning on the 17th August in Exelby, and please do come if you can.Thank you all for your support and kindness. Contact us:Adele Eldridge Francis and Rosie Muncaster Hugo and Jean Welsh07484 709155 07491 948878 07802 641073[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Wow, well done Karen and Rosie! They have just returned from Coffee on the Green, Poppleton with £675. This will cover the running costs of the whole project for this week!Lots of baking beforehand, much appreciated as it all went.Also, two ladies expressed interest in having a talk for groups to which they belong. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

Planting sugar cane on a small acreage of our farm. This is being grown to be used next year to plant up around 10 acres. Sugar cane is more drought resistant and needs a lot less water than rice paddy. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

1 month ago

All parents invited into school today to be part of the hand over of the new school uniforms.As usual, these are free and all made by Kanniammal. We provide the material.It is thanks to our Friend, Karen, that Kanniammal has learned the skills to earn a good living tailoring. Venkat strongly believes in inclusivity, so although some parents could undoubtedly afford to buy the uniforms, many cannot, and all the children are therefore treated equally. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

what a wonderful rapport, thank you Sreeja. ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of Mettupalayam Trust

2 months ago

Another health camp at the Crakehall Primary School, Mettupalayam.So grateful to the Shri Sathya College of Nursing who come out to rural areas to help improve access to good quality health care. ... See MoreSee Less

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