A Ray of Hope

Sorry for the delay in the updates as life has been rather hectic.
Updates not in any order but as they come to me.
1. Thank you to Ann for her donation of many toys and packed pencil cases ideal for Hungary/Romania amongst other places. Thank you
2. Metta Centre Nepal celebrates its 10th anniversary - photographs to follow ( new traditional costumes purchased for all of the girls )
3. Jenny returns from her projects in South Africa - photographs to follow
4. Next trip to Belarus November - gardening equipment for the special school for diagnostics and leotards for the school for art and music supplied by David Tyler Trust and Roch Valley resp. Thank you
5. New FaceBook group A Ray of  Hope another strand for friendship.
6. Melanie attending the first Romani Women's Conference EU  in Barcelona
7. New video for International National Peace Day 2011 loaded on YouTube - thanks to Paula Eduarda (Brazil) Reet (Estonia) Kay (UK)
8. Seguya's parliamentary campaign progressing well in Uganda
9. "Ray" and  "Hope" thriving in Lagos Nigeria.
10. Paula Eduarda reaches the finals of Brazilian Talent Competition
11. New journal in South Korea our thanks to Serena
12. Sujata's projects developing favourably in Kashmir, India.
13. Binod organised science teacher workshops in Nepal
14. Some money becoming available soon for further support to 5 projects
15.  Gardening tools to be purchased for Lunch4Learning in Uganda
16. Monthly logos for A Ray of Hope designed each month by Snejana in Bulgaria - music composed monthly by Reet in Estonia.
17. Educational supplies sent to Ghana
18. Competition trophies sent to Sierra Leone

and we are having a bit of a lull !!!! Best wishes and thanks from us all to those who deserve our appreciation and esteem. Apologies as I am certain to have left something out.

Nepal - Metta Centre

Finances sent to allow the purchase of new traditional costumes for the girls to be in their finest attire for the 10th Anniversary of Metta Centre on 2nd October, 2010. Those who care for our daughters in the Metta Centre deserve our highest level of respect and praise and the girls are proffered our congratualtions on their achievements. Hopefully photographs of the event and the girls to follow.
Photograph is of last year's costumes.

International Day of Peace 2011

Nigeria - Resource Sharing Network

Firstly, Over the weekend, we received a parcel of books from a Friend and Donor in Netherlands - We really want to say A big thank you to our dear friend -Mrs. Toroti for the gesture and unusual support over the years. God bless.
Secondly, to intimate you that the much awaited GCE examination has started...and, we cannot but wish these young ones profound success!

Our third edition of the Mentoring Orientation/Youth Forum Program comes up in October 23rd, 2010. You might want to save the date. :). Last year, we had the following people on our Guest list.

Mrs. Layi-Babatunde (Lawyer),

Dr. (Mrs) Titi Akinlade (ExxonMobil),

Engr. Hannit (Arik Air)

Young Professionals -Volunteer Mentors

Selected SSS 3 students from different schools with their Parents etc.
For Mentoring Orientation III, we look forward to reaching out to more SSS 3 students with their parents from various schools. Highlights of the program include: Parent Forum, Youth Interactive Session, Mentoring Orientation Program, Icons of Hope Talk etc. Presently, we've got a friend and volunteer Mentor from Singapore here in Nigeria and we are planning to have him speak with the youths...on motivations, aspiration etc.
We look forward to having a great event! For partnership and sponsorship, pls do not hesitate to reply this mail.
 
Tosin

Nepal - Well done Binod

Many congratulations to Binod and  all involved - a brilliantly organised science workshop - 66 whiteboards delivered and the possibility of a further 60 being available.  If sufficient people do a little then so much is achieved.

Nigeria - Hope - named after A Ray of hope

Hope demonstrating that she is developing the skills needed to be a future director- general of UNESCO

Concentration

at home with Technology

and Fashion Conscious

Hungary - Melanie and Girl Guides visit Hungary

Three years ago, Ruth Riggs,( GirlGuide and Rangers leader) and I had just talked about the possibility of taking Guides and Rangers, from Stoke-on-Trent, out to Hungary to the poor villages, to experience the poverty, at. It was suggested that maybe the girls could interact with the children, and do some activities with them. Music and dance, games and sport is always the best introduction to our children in underprivileged villages in Hungary and Romania. August 10th this year was the planned date.


The girls were excited and apprehensive at the same time. Ruths husband Liam, drove one of the 3 cars that we hired, to take us from Budapest, up to the Romanian Borders.

Dani and Kati Beri, the Pastors of the local village Church, recieved them with open arms and a very warm welcome. Hungarian hospitality is first class, and the girls enjoyed eating true Hungarian Goulash on their arrival.

On the way, I took the girls to Bag, to see Ishtvan and David, and the people in the little village under the mountain. There we did a little programme of singing and dancing, and head, shoulders, knees, and toes, went down great

The next stop was in Hadjunnanas, to meet my friend Balasz, who works with special needs children. They were camping in a park area, and we were asked to join them. There were children in wheel chairs, and some of the bigger children had autism, and all them from very poor homes. There were a lot of Romany children. The parents were not allowed in, and waited all day outside on the grass. No Roma allowed. Once again the girls did their, head shoulders, knees and toes. I did a sketch about 3 men with disabilities. We ate together, potatoes, and paprika, and onion, it was delicious(fenom).....washed down with peach juice.

The weather was extremely hot, and the air was void of oxygen, or so it seemed. We continued up to Nyirbeltek, where we arrived around about 8.30pm..

The Girls had their first experience of another world, and another culture, and of a people who love with passion, regardless of their financial status, and living conditions.