A lot of the Mavelikara people in question had been affected by the Tsunami, which had hit that part of the coast, work opportunities for the parents were much less and there was a desperate need for schooling. Most of the families that we are helping have an income of less than £50 per year. Also, as our existing homes were continuing in rented buildings and several of our older children were ready for higher education, it made sense for it to be in their home areas, as some of the older children could then live with their families whilst remaining under the financial and pastoral care of The Vidiyal Trust.

A decision was made to buy a piece of land that was available and to start to build a small school for the slum community and then to build school and boarding facilities for our own Boys and Girls Home children. The land was purchased in the name of The Vidiyal Trust and registration documents and the land deeds (lack of which were a major reason for us withdrawing from the previous project), were, and are, in our possession.

Things have moved quickly! An old cowshed was renovated to provide the facilities needed for the local slum community, and almost 40 children started their education with us in March 2007.

 

 

This is a long term project. Funding for the slum school was provided by the Norwich Diocesan Lent appeal of 2006. The remaining funds from the Diocese will enable us to also build a vocational training school as a matter of priority. An anonymous Norwich donor (CH) has funded the Boys and Girls Home educational facilities. Our Trust will meet the residential facility costs. Other donors have funded kitchen and dining facilities for both of the buildings. We are so grateful to all involved.

So, by May 2008 we will have our Boys and Girls Home children living in Mavelikara awaiting complettion of our buildings which will become their permanent homes. We will then have the capacity to double the number of our resident children. The slum school is really successful and has been embraced by the local community. These children will continue to live with their families in poor conditions, but with us carefully monitoring their medical care. Should the need arise they could be moved to the residential facilities, but where possible we think that these children should remain with their families. We hope to have the vocational facilities completed by mid 2009. With education and vocational training the slum children have as bright a future as our resident youngsters.

Although The Vidiyal Trust retains overall responsibility for, and ownership of, the project, we have appointed Indian trustees from the local churches to work with us, and in the longer term will give the whole complex to the local churches. All transactions have been made with public knowledge, to ensure the transparency that sadly was missing in our previously planned work.

Watch this space - we have even more plans, including a drop in medical centre and day care facilities for the elderly on the site!! This is just the beginning!

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