Children United!: The latest news from India

Charity Children United! works with a congregation of Sisters based in India to help them build and run schools, orphanages, children's hostels and creches in the country.

Trustee Julie Foster writes regularly for The Hunsbury Herald about her experiences in the country.

This is her latest missive:

Wednesday, March 23:

Greetings from India! I’m nearly half-way through my visit here and there is so much to tell you!

My first stop was at Ritapuram School. The new school building is finished and in use and there are lots of new desks and benches - thanks to Burton Latimer Church, Luke & Clipston School. We just need to finish the science lab and our work here will be done.

Then on to Pandithitta School - and more than twice the children than when I was here two years ago! The new library is fabulous, thanks to Thrapston Probus and Standen’s Barn School. The school had it’s very important Government inspection on January 19 and passed, with a confirmation that we would complete the science laboratory here as well.

Children at Pandithitta School

Then on to Munnar Boarding - and the biggest changes of all! The new boarding building is now in use and better than I could ever have imagined. We will continue to give an annual amount to help to pay for the orphaned /abandoned girls but would also like to pay for a solar lighting system and a new shed with high chimney where they can heat water. Thanks to Christ the King and Ashby St Ledger’s Churches for donations last year.
Munnar Nursery now has books, tables, chairs, and money for milk thanks to Weston Favell School. We would like to continue to pay for the milk and snacks.
Batlagundu Crèche and Vettimukal Nursery - also take children from the poorest families, enabling their mothers to go for work. The children get a healthy lunch and milk, thanks to Stanion and Hunsbury Park Schools, and we would like to continue to give an annual donation to both projects.
Kodai Kanal School and Boarding - supported by Blisworth and Creaton Schools. Now with 288 children in the Boarding! In 2011, they just want help with feeding these children.
Karisalpatti Boarding - 62 abandoned / very poor children aged 5-10, who need feeding! We are setting up a sponsorship scheme to feed them.
Thangachimadam - how long has St Loy’s school single-handedly supported the Orphanage? The school now has it’s first computer but we would like to pay for a water filter and books for the children.
Mannackannad - our Special School, opened 10 years ago, successfully changing attitudes towards disability in India, but now needs repairing and redecorating.
Maski - Two projects here; for orphaned and abandoned teenage girls, a hostel where they learn how to sew. They are then given a sewing machine and rehomed with vetted families. Also a boarding hostel for children who live too far away from secondary schools. We would like to continue to help both projects.
Malur - a women’s refuge with up to sixty ladies and their children. Corby Rotary and Mr Bridge helped to set up a new dispensary here. Malur has asked for help with the children’s food and education in 2011.
The total raised in 2010 was £11,653.01 -

Batlagundu crèche £355.98
Kodai Kanal School and boarding £1463.45 (plus 12 computers from Mercedes at Brixworth)
Malur women’s refuge £1050
Maski boarding and sewing projects £688.66
Munnar boarding £2285
Munnar nursery £100
Pandithitta school £722
Ritapuram school £1914.13
Thangachimadam orphanage £1840
Vettimukal Nursery £75
Thangachimadam School £500
Posting huge amounts of medical supplies to Malur and Batlagundu Children’s Clinics £322
The remaining money, allocated to Mannackannnad and Maski, has been carried forward to this year, meaning the total raised over the years is now nearly £93,000.

Things you don't hear in a UK school:

"I am sorry I am late Madam, but there were (wild) elephants on the pathway so I had to climb higher (up the mountainside) to avoid them."

Teacher to her class: "Well done children, you are all here today. So we have all 86 children here."

Headmistress to children: "Remember to keep all doors bolted, or the monkeys will come in."

Aims for 2011 - It’s mainly food we need this year. Prices start at 2p for a school dinner! We are starting a child sponsorship scheme, or if you don’t want to sponsor a child, would you consider setting up a standing order to buy the children an egg each month instead? £3 pays for an egg, £2.58 for lentils, £1.50 for protein powder, or £1.72 for a tumbler of milk for all 62 children at Karisalpatti.

Our bank details:- Barclays Bank, Kettering.
Account name: Children United.
Acc. No: 10941735
Sort code: 20-45-81

Details on our website or write/email if you would like further information on the charity or any of the projects.

Please remember that every single penny you give goes to the children - there are no deductions either in the UK or in India. If you pay tax, then we can claim this back through Gift Aid. That gives us another 25p for every pound donated.