Friday 26 February 2010

Selvyn at Prema Vasam in India provides an update

Selwyn, one of our hosts at his orphanage in Southern India, provides an update. He writes:
'Dear David,

Lots of love and greetings from Prema Vasam!

We have so many things to write to you, celebrated Christmas and New Year. Later we celebrated Pongal too. Now it is the time to concentrate more towards studies and other activities.

Our first child Indra has passed in distinction in the fifth semester of MCA studies, these days she is busy in preparing the project for the completion of the course, as it is we are always proud of her. Indra is incharge for the free tuition centre, nearly 120 poor children are getting benefitted. Indra teaches and coaches the 10th standard students, last year one of her students Leelavathy got 452/500 marks, Indra gave a nice gift (watch) to Leelavathy on the annual day.

One of our college going girls Miss Benitta has donated blood last month happily. Benitta is doing final year of her college, please pray for the success of her studies and for her future. Miss Soni who is doing B.Sc Nursing got a price for the essay competition at the national level in the “Competition Success” magazine.
Our college going girls got their fifth semester results too. Anisha, Anitha, Kalaichelvi, Suganya have got first class whereas Benitta has passed in second class. Unfortunately Lakshmi and Radha has failed in the fifth semester, both of them are so upset and sad. Of course all our college going girls do so much work in looking after our special children, they are very supportive and helpful.

On 4th February our boys home was inaugurated by Sonia Bonfiglioli, the director of Bonfiglioli groups. She is so happy to support and promised to help us in the coming days for our children.

Couple of our college going girls Radha and Benitta have got trophies for the college tournament and we are so proud that Radha got champion of champions trophy in her college.

Today one of our children Prema is celebrating her 14th birthday, please pray for her.

We are desperately trying our best to get a piece of land to extend our service to many more physically and mentally challenged and less fortunate children. Sometimes we are discouraged and disappointed while we approach the government officers for the same. Please remember our children and this special intention during the moments of grace. I am extremely sorry for this long silence in not keeping touch with you.

With much love,
Selvyn'

We wish Selwyn and his team good luck with their new projects. I will keep you updated.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Chloe in Ghana reports back

Chloe got out to Ghana just over two weeks ago. She is teaching in Kumasi in Central Ghana. Her first report back is most positive. She writes:
Hey David
hope your well! Everything is fab out here. We are all fine and have settled in really well.

We are all working at the orphanage. Im finding it a little hard to adjust to the way they do things but will hopefully be able to make some suggestions and change things for the better.

Host family are great, everyone is very welcoming, no issues to mention. Went travelling for the weekend with Francis, had a fab time!!
Speak soon
Chlo
The pace of life in Ghana does take some time to adjust too! Infact we suggest to volunteers not to bother with a watch. Get used to G.M.T. - Ghana Maybe Time!
I am more than confident that Chloe and her fellow volunteers will soon adjust to their new way of life.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

News Update - read the Changing Worlds January 2010 newsletter

I am delighted to release our latest newsletter for January 2010.

http://www.changingworlds.co.uk/Home.aspx?vurl=%2f%2fRoot%2fContent%2fNewsletterJanuary2010

It includes some really useful information about fundraising ideas that will be very useful to those looking to find potential sponsors for their gap year.

Regards
David

Thursday 4 February 2010

Ethical Volunteering Overseas

An advertisement for financial assistance has appeared in the Society Guardian section of the The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday 03 February 2010.

The advert writes:
ETHICAL VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS
£500 bursaries now available!
ICYE is an international volunteering charity organising placements across the World. Two £500 different bursaries are offered. One is towards the programme fee for a voluntary placement to Latin America and the other will go to a placement in Africa.
Placements must begin on or before 21 June 2010 and last for a minimum of eight weeks.
Application deadline: Monday 08 March 2010
Contact short-term@icye.org.uk or call 0207 681 0983