Just in case you wondered what 2 1/2 tonnes of vegetables looks like! Imagine having to separate these into 570 individual family portions. Thankfully Venkat had nine staff to help. ... See MoreSee Less
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Despite all the disruption, stress and extra work being undertaken providing Food aid to the increased number of families, (now 560!) Venkat is still thinking about the children's education. With our Crakehall School Mettupalayam, unable to reopen due to the lockdown, Venkat has arranged for home work to be provided to most of the standard one to five students. The new school year should have begun this week, but instead, the teachers are using last year's text books, and have prepared work sheets which they will deliver to the children's homes. Early next week, once the Food aid distribution has been completed, the children's work will be brought in, marked and new work sheets provided. Any child who is struggling with the work will be able to have one to one tuition at school.
Throughout this pandemic, our teaching staff have shown amazing loyalty and commitment, working long hours helping to deliver the Food aid programme, and now, starting a home schooling programme. No doubt this team spirit has been helped by Venkats decision, with our encouragement, to keep paying full wages to all our staff.
Thank you teachers, you are doing an amazing job! ... See MoreSee Less
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It is now some seven weeks since IRDT started the Food aid programme, following the lock down in India. Despite today's Government announcement of a relaxation in most areas, Chengleput district remains locked down, so no change in need is anticipated in our project area during the next few weeks.
Following a marvellous donation response from our many Friends, not just at home but around the world, Venkat is now able to further extend the Food aid programme to another 200 families in desperate need. This will start next weekend, making some 560 families in all. Each family will receive between five and six kgs of fresh vegetables and a large measure of rice. Soap and facemasks are also being provided, together with education about stopping the spread of the virus. Our Food aid programme has been extended to the end of June and funds to cover the cost will be sent out tomorrow.
Further donations would be most welcome, preferably direct to our treasurer or trustees as we can claim Gift Aid if appropriate. ... See MoreSee Less
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This morning's Food aid delivered to the 12 tribal families at the Patchyamman temple. ... See MoreSee Less
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Yesterday, Venkat took delivery of almost 11/2 tonnes of fresh vegetables and 1/2 tonne of rice. Thanks to the generosity of another UK donor, two more tribal communities are now being helped, 65 families living near Manampathy. Total families now covered by our Food aid programme exceeds 350, so probably more than 1500 people in all. The majority of these are either Kuruvi or Irula tribal folk, so called Scheduled Tribes. The two communities near Manampathy mostly earn a living as street cleaners and rubbish collectors, a class that is not given much respect but who contribute immensely to keeping the towns and countryside clean and litter free. We are so happy to be able to extend our help and thank Venkat and his staff again for their amazing work in helping these very underprivileged communities. ... See MoreSee Less
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Week eight of the Food Aid programme. Another lorry load of fresh vegetables arrives and the first tranche of villagers queue for their week's supply, and a further 2kgs of rice per family. Altogether we expect around 300 families will receive food again this week.
It is encouraging that prices are staying stable and there doesn't appear to be any profiteering.
Huge congratulations to Venkat and all the IRDT staff for their continuing support and a big thank you to all our supporters and Friends who have helped to cover the cost involved. ... See MoreSee Less
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Mango season, down on the farm. Venkat and his two farm workers have harvested around 650kgs which he will sell at a reduced price of 20rps per kilogramme to local people. This is at least a third cheaper than in the markets, although, of course, the markets are all closed due to the virus. ... See MoreSee Less
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Our Food Aid programme is gradually being extended and IRDT and Venkat are helping as many families as they can.
This week, the vegetables aren't coming from Chennai as the suppliers are unable to transport them to us, so they have been sourced and supplied from near Bengaluru!
No one knows how long this poverty crisis will last but these villagers are showing remarkable stoicism in the face of such difficulties.
Thank you Venkat and IRDT staff, you continue to save lives and support your community. ... See MoreSee Less
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This morning, IRDT have arranged breakfast for around 60 Kuruvi tribal children and some elderly folk in Puddunagar village
Many of these children were receiving a breakfast of idli and sambhar at our Crakehall Primary School, Mettupalayam before the Corona virus outbreak. ... See MoreSee Less
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