Report 2009 A Ray of Hope

Report 2009


2009 over and a wonderful year for A Ray of Hope – a plethora of events by those who wished to make a difference for those who needed the difference made. Most of the notable happenings appear in our journal and since 2010 is where we now must aim, then the summary will be concise.

Educational and miscellaneous supplies were delivered to 14 countries, over 20 projects of miscellaneous type were both initiated and developed in 12 countries. 8 new organisations affiliated and the foundation stones for two further groupings were laid.

The journals appear to have been effective with Pour Les Femmes attracting over 30,000 views and 140 women from across the globe dedicating their support. YouTube proved to have been a different way of promoting project visits and reports and many new friends were gained from YouTube and Face Book. Some offering assistance to further individual initiatives.

8 major companies and organisations continued their generous support.

It was also a year of celebration on the birth of “new little” members of A Ray of Hope – with Hope being born to Anu and living in Lagos, the same city as Ray, who blossoms in his young life.

Our sincere thanks to the many individuals, groups, organisations and companies whose contributions and assistance are both valued and necessitous.

Further information on all the projects can be found at www.unesco.co.uk

The Spirit of Christmas - CEBU CITY - Phillipines - a wonderful success

The following photographs give a taster of the organisation that was involved in arranging this wonderful occasion for 100 children in Cebu City. The story of the event by video, text  and photograph to follow soon.

Philippines Cebu City - Spirit of Christmas

Pinkie and all Santa's little helpers prepare for 1st Spirit of Christmas - A Ray of Hope UNESCO

Kashmir India Deep Foundation

A video dedicated to the shepherd with two flocks !!!!

Mozyr, Belarus - November, 2009

The photographs of my visit to Mozyr and surrounding areas in Belarus during November, 2009. The video shows the photographs of my friends and places that make this place so special. The wonderful music is from the awesome singing of the choir from the School for Art and Music No 2 under the directorship of my friend, Anna. A special place with special people.

Global projects - Santa's wee Village

Santa's wee Village began on Saturday 5th December - thanks to the generosity of Carol and Kevin money will be raised through toy hamper ballots. All monies raised will support the most needy of our projects overseas.

Miscellaneous - Nigeria, Nepal and India

Educational posters, resource material, lesson plans begin journey for Nigeria and India. Finances forwarded to nepal for warm winter balankets and a Christmas party for the princesses. Thank you to those who have been so generous.

UK Plus - Andy and Foundation for Endangered Species

News from Andy and the Foundation for Endangered Species

WILDLIFE ZONE NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2009
The Wildlife Zone radio programme is broadcast every Wednesday between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at Radio Wexham.

Throughout November and December the following items will be included in these broadcasts.

The Endangered Animal Niche will focus on these reptiles; Galapagos Giant Turtle, Blunt Nosed Leopard Lizard, Pygmy Blue Tongued Skunk, Komodo Dragon, Hawksbill Turtle, Yellow Blotched Sawback Map Turtle and Egyptian Tortoise.

The Environmental Item will include; Lions, Hunters and Scavengers, Elephant, Monkeys, Plant Eating Birds, Hunting and Scavenging Birds, and Insects and insect Eaters.

The Featured Topic includes articles by or about the Foundation for Endangered Species. These have often been published in local magazines such as ‘In and Around Denham’, ‘In and Around Iver’, Chic Chat and Conserving Wildlife. Articles for international and national magazines as well as for the ‘Pen and Ink Club’ website are also included.

News items. These include local activities such as Photographic Exhibitions, Beach-cleaning dates, Stalls, talks and presentations, and other activities often related to the Foundation for Endangered Species.

Expert Guest Speakers. John Dickens will be having a telephone-in and will be talking about the conservation holiday in Nepal.

Abi Rotimi will be in the studio on November 25th, and will be talking about Nigerian Wildlife.

Louis Dixon will be another guest in the studio, talking about seahorses. The date is still to be confirmed.

2010 is the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity. AM has been asked to give his views on how UNESCO UK can engage and respond to the UN. AM has forwarded the initial views of the Foundation to the UNESCO secretariat for further discussion. We will keep you informed as things progress.


NEWS OF RECENT ACTIVITIES
The ‘Himrain’ photographic exhibition was successfully held at Iver Heath library for 6 weeks. Irene Catt closed the exhibition and also celebrated 30 years as a local councilor. We plan to have another exhibition here that is of local interest.
AM has been made the representative for the marine Conservation Society’s marine litter projects for the whole of the South East region. The region roughly stretches south from King’s Lynn to East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex. The Foundation has been Beach-cleaning successfully for 5 years, and AM has given interviews for ITV, BBC and various radio stations.
Conserving Wildlife magazine and e-zine has gone from strength to strength in 2009, but is struggling to gain an income to sustain its progress. It has gone from a 4 page to a 16 page document and now has a circulation of about 7,000. It is the best charity magazine on general sale and is the only magazine that represents endangered animals.
The newly formed marine Diving Team successfully helped survey the sea floor during our last Beach-sweep at Rottingdean in September. The team is a club from west London and welcomes new divers to join them. Colin Mills at the Black Horse, Eastcote has given the Foundation a back room for our CAMP headquarters; furthermore Colin is also a skillful diver and is interested in our progress.
The Foundation has made 3 badges that include FES, HIMRAIN and the Wildlife Zone. John Dickens took these badges and some correspondence to Nepal on our behalf. John handed out these badges to the orphanage of Rampur village in the Chitwan district.

Hungary/Romania Lorry and Team from Northern Ireland arrive safely.

Bulgaria from Snejana

A Ray of Hope over the Aegean Sea

Lebanon - from Tray - same again this year.

“The right time to eat:

For a rich man, when he is hungry   For a poor man , when he has something to eat “

Dear Friends,

Since hunger knows no friend but its feeder, we count on you just like every year to help us gather enough food for the less fortunate.

Kindly check the attached pictures in order to have an idea on the boxes of basic food products that we distribute every year around Christmas.

Those of you who are interested are kindly asked to send me their donations before the 17th of December 2009. Any contribution is highly appreciated.

PS: if you know someone who can benefit from this initiative, kindly inform me of their name and address and whoever wishes to participate in the packing and the distribution process is more than welcome.


Thank you and may god bless you with his Goodwill.

if you can't feed million people , start by feeding one

Tray

Nigeria - mentoring programme from Anu

HELP LINE: Simple Tips & Practices that make mentoring relationship work!

1. Assign a day or two days of the week to communicate with your Mentee e.g. Every Tuesdays and Thursdays or strictly weekends! It might be in the early hours, afternoon or evening time. Communicate
thus, with your Mentee.
2. Build a healthy relationship. Cultivate a friendly environment for your Mentee to ask Questions and feel free also to ask your Mentee questions. Don't limit your questions to Academics alone, since there
are factors that are responsible for academic performances.
3. Be a friend, Listen more.
4. Care to pay a surprise visit to your Mentee's House or School? It shows how much you care.
5. Get to know/meet with your Mentee's friend(s), Parents, Principal etc.
Watch out for more tips. . . . . .
You are invited

On the 18th and 19th of November, 2009, Resource Sharing Network shall be paying a School Visit to our participating Mentees from Ikeja Senior High School and Babs Fafunwa Millennium High School respectively. Time 11:00a.m - 12:0Onoon daily. Should you be interested in attending, RSVP Bayo on 08033957518 or Call Celestina on 08033003854

Hungary

Container from Northern Ireland arrives safely with the villages in Hungary. Many thanks to the army of supporters who made this possible.

Nepal - Metta centre - Girls relax

Nigeria - Resource Sharing Network

Greetings,

This is a short note of Appreciation to one of our Mentors in the last Mentoring cycle -Mr. Tunde Majiagbe.

We cannot but appreciate his efforts and commitment to making his relationship with his Mentee -Farouk Tackie work. Indeed, he's been a

true friend and a Mentor with great motivations to pass on the baton of excellence to his Mentee. To mention but a few of his activities with his Mentee. . . . He is become a friend to Farouk's Family, A

Class Act Mentor, who despite his busy schedules in his working place -a Bank, still finds time to visit Farouk, motivate him and bought the last GCE form for him.

Thank you for your selfless effort, Sir.

Attached herewith is a photograph of Mentor Tunde with his Mentee.

Once again, we welcome everyone to an exciting and fruitful mentoring cycle.. . .

Tosin Taiwo

Resource Sharing Network

Nigeria - Resource Sharing Network

Subject: Youths Mentoring Cycle 2009

Greetings,

It's a new month and we welcome you to the begining of our Youths
Mentoring Cycle 2009! Wishing you a blissful month.

To those Mentors who have received their Mentee's information, We wish
you a fruitful and healthy relationship. Pls, kindly endeavour to
maintain regular contacts with your Mentee, It's necessary for the
growth of your relationship! Remember, we haven't paired you with a
perfect child/student, but with one who needs your encouragement and
elderly assistance to face some life's challenges!

To those Mentors who are yet to submit their form. We eagerly hope to
receive it shortly, as your information would help us to pair you with
the right child. We value your interest and participation.

Lastly, to those who aren't interested in Mentoring because of their
"tight" schedules, we enjoin you to be a part of our other Sponsorship
Programmes!
Such as:

Sponsoring a Deaf Child to school (N10, 000 per academic term - We
send you every necessary details of the child, picture, school, parent
information etc)
OR
Sponsoring the purchase of the next GCE/WAEC form for the less
priviledged student etc.
OR
Sponsoring a Tutorial session for Mentees -N2, 000 monthly (this
engages a student in a tutorial class for a period of 9months)

Thank you

Resource Sharing Network

A Natural Peace

Ciceroconcordia

Cicero European Classics now rebranded to ciceroconcordia to accommodate the new member countries Tunisia and Australia. Every best wish proffered to all involved,  assured of another successful year.

Visit to Cambridge College and Manyangwa Modern School - Uganda

REPORT ON THE VISIT BY THE PROPOSALS COMMITTEE TO GAYAZA CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE OF ST. MBAAGA AND MANYANGWA MODERN PRIMARY SCHOol
Purpose of visit: To Audit the implemented projects at the institutions

Manyangwa Modern Primary School

At 10:15 am, on the 16th October 2009, two of the current three proposals committee members arrived at Manyangwa Modern Primary School. They were greeted by the Deputy Headmaster.

We were taken to three classrooms that received the 20 pupil’s desks that were provided to the school this year. Each of the desks seats 3 pupils, however, some of them seat four or five because the situation is still wanting.
Distribution of the 20 desks

- The Primary 6 classroom received 10. The class has a total number if 38 pupils.

- The Primary 5 classroom received 6. The class has 32 pupils currently

- Primary 4 received 4 and has 28 pupils

The school also acquired 5 tables and 10 chairs for teachers using this year’s funds received through Project Hope – Uganda.
Two desks and three tables and all the ten chairs were not at the school at the time of the visit. The school had hired them at a fee to a company that needed to use them for a workshop.We had a chat with the pupils in their classrooms and they were so happy to see us.
At midday, we set off for Cambridge College.
Cambridge College
We arrived at the College, where we were joined by another member of the committee at 12:35 pm. At the College, we were greeted by the Headmaster. After a chat in his office, we were led to the school library. The Headmaster shared that initially, the school had a small book bank in the Deputy Headmaster’s office, but when Project Hope enabled them to stock more books, they decided to move on and dedicate a room for the library, where students and teachers could be able to sit and read if they wished.

In the Library

We talked to the librarian about the library by the teachers and students, the security of the books, and the stock. The librarian told us that the library has greatly helped the teachers and the students, especially that the books stocked with the annual grant received through Project Hope – Uganda since 2008 have been of great help. She said that both teachers and students borrow books, and students particularly use the library to read. She emphasized the problem of very few or one copy of the same titles, saying that usually, some students or teachers who borrow such titles don’t want to return them because they fear someone else might pick them off the shelves. This means that the person who returned such a book may not be able to use it again, or might only use it again after so long. We thought there is a “war” over the limited reading resources.

We were shown records of the library borrowers. We found evidence of books that were borrowed and have not been returned on schedule.
We also saw on the shelves a number of books that are almost not being used. The readers we found in at the time and the librarian said that users preferred books from Project Hope as they were of great value. Many of these books, however, appeared to be worn out, some with covers slightly wearing off, while others damaged as a result of over usage.

The school was able to collect money from outgoing students and bought some readers. Candidates who came to pick their pass slips were asked to pay 5,000 shillings. It is hoped that these readers will help in building a reading culture. The school also received 200 copies of readers from the Uganda Private Schools Teachers’ Association. We were also told that there were incidents of theft but the exact books were recovered or the culprits were made to purchase replacements.

Chat with students

We talked to a group of about 20 students representing a cross section of the students’ community in both “O” and “A” Levels. They were very thankful for the support that has been extended to the school through Project Hope. They expressed their problem with few copies of the same title. The rain threatened our discussion and we asked the students to write down their thoughts, some appear below:

“Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing to equip out library with books. Though many books have been bought, we still need more”. Bbaka Michael.
“I don’t have much to say, but I am just thanking you for the good work you have done for us as a school. The books are really helpful and we are very grateful”.
“There is a big need to get more books. Students also need to be helped to know the value of the library and reading, mostly those in lower classes to up-build their future. Students are given limited time for library use”.
“I appreciate the work you do. I request you get us more books so we can have wider knowledge and novels are not enough. Our library lacks novels and the ones we have are too old”.
Chat with Teachers

We met about 6 teachers in the staffroom. They were so grateful for the support extended to the school, but also expressed their concern with the few copies of the same title and titles that are not available but are very helpful. We asked them to make arrangements to go to Kabubbu Community Library and see how the situation can be helped.
Recommendations

- We suggested that the librarian starts taking records of all those that get into the library, whether students or teachers; noting the names, time, class, the book(s) they read etc. We hope this might help inform the school administration in taking decisions concerning library stock, setting and also in helping everybody to use it. At the time of the visit, the library had only a register used for borrowing.

- We advised that the school gets more pages of each book stamped with the school stamp to help quell possible thefts. When one or very few pages are stamped, it becomes easy for some to tear out those pages and have the book appear like it is theirs.

- We advised that a bucket and water be put by the library door for the users to wash their hands as a way of keeping the books clean.

- We also suggested that the librarian insists on the “Leave Your Bag” by the door and checking users as they go out as a way of ensuring that the naughty ones don’t take out any unregistered library material. And that the library guidelines for use are published within the library and other public places at the school.

- We encouraged the school to send the librarian, the helping teachers and students, and any such persons who might conduct the work of a library at the school in the future to Kabubbu Community Library to share ideas with the librarians there. This would help the school library be better managed and also has potential to help improve KCL especially in as far as dealing with student users is concerned.

- We also reminded the school of Kabubbu Community Library’s Book Box Loaning Scheme which might help ease the problem of limited resources in the meantime.

- We asked the librarian to make arrangements with class teachers and student leaders within classes to display the books that are not so frequently used. We hope that when students see these books in their classes, they might pick interest in them. This way, a reading culture will be boosted.

Uganda - Gayaza Cambridge College - library report -

GAYAZA CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE   P.O. BOX 19092 KASANGATI.
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT  A REPORT ON THE USE OF BOOKS DONATED BY PROJECT HOPE UGANDA

The school decided to use its 1.5 Million Shillings Annual grant from Project Hope Uganda to buy a total of 92 copies of books to add to 83 copies purchased last year.

Books purchased with the funds from Project Hope, in a period of two years now, have greatly improved the library stock. Before the intervention of Project Hope – Uganda, the school had a library bank that lacked syllabus related books, which are so crucial to the academic life of the school. With Project Hope’s intervention, we have so far acquired a total number of 175 textbooks, including other books necessary for the students academic needs.
With this intervention, the school was able to dedicate a room to serve as our library.

Library Opening sessions

The library works from morning up to evening in different sessions as shown below:
SESSION 1

The library opens at 7:30 -10:10am and students go for break.
SESSION II

Starts at 10:30am -01:10pm and the students go for lunch

SESSION III

Library opens at 2:00pm -4:40pm as day scholars leave the school and boarders go for co-culicular activities, prepare for supper and preps.
SESSION IV

Starts at 7:30pm -10:00pm and the students leave go sleep.
1. LIBRARY USE:

The library is beneficial to all members of Gayaza Cambridge community .It is used by students as a reading room due to its convenience.

Teachers also use this library for research work to be delivered to students using  Teachers’ reference copies available. Students use the library books to supplement teacher’s work for example during  Assignments, reading ahead of teachers to ease the teacher’s work. Students use the library mostly in optional subjects as they prepare for the coming lessons. Most of the students read their books from the library

2. BORROWING AND LENDING:

The library is controlled by the librarian who is responsible for lending books to students and specifies time for them. In borrowing books students leave their school identity cards behind. Student who borrow books from the library are given a period of 2 hours to 3 weeks depending on the number of copies available.

When a book gets lost from a student, that student is required to bring two copies and when a teacher loses it, his salary is deducted in order to buy that particular copy.
3. BENEFITS:

The library has been beneficial to both students and teachers. Students have found it convenient to use the optional time by reading books in the library. Teachers’ work has eased because some students are able to read ahead which helps teachers in teaching them. Books have helped students in supplementing teachers’ notes. Reading culture is seen to be improving among students because of inspiration from their fellow students.

Responsibility among students has improved especially those who retain books from the library.
4. CHALLENGES:

The library has some challenges, which affect the students and the school at large for example

• The some book titles have a few copies compared to students willing to use them.

• Teachers’ references copies are not enough.

• The library also lacks variety of books for students to read for pleasure. Even though the reading culture is seen to be improving, the improvement is impended by the fact that what we currently have in our library is almost exclusively limited to the national curriculum
5. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

• There should be an increase in the number of copies to serve a big number of students. This will improve on the students reading culture.

• Teachers’ reference books should be increased in number. This will help to ease teachers’ work.

• Variety of books need to be increased to reduce monopoly of one variety.

• Also new editions need to be brought due to changes made by the authors.
6. CONCLUSION:

We would like to thank British Airways, A Ray of Hope and other supporters for the support extended to us through Project Hope – Uganda.
Yours,

Vincent Zziwa,

Head Teacher

Nigeria - Resource Sharing Network - Beginning of a new cycle.

Congratulations Cicero rebranded to Cicerocertamen

CICERO has now expanded to include Tunisia and Australia so we have had to change what the acronym stands for - not just Europe any more! Congratulations to all involved.

"Hope and Future" affiliated to A Ray of Hope

We welcome "Hope and Future"  into the global family of A Ray of Hope and hope that in the months to come we will be able to make a positive contribution to their efforts.

The Ethiopian Schools Project developed from our first trip to Ethiopia in 2006. We were with a team of people house-building in an area within a large town called Shashemene, a region where people live in considerable poverty and lack of basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation, electricity and proper housing.
We discovered that many of the local children were receiving no education for various reasons; no local schools, school fees too expensive, available schools located too far away.
While we may have felt helpless to tackle many of the issues within this community, we felt challenged to do something to give the children an education which could give them a hope for their future.

African Contribution to United Kindom Society

Mumbai India from Sujata - "living with the floods" !!!!!

Ethiopia - Kevin collects educational supplies for Ethiopian Schools' Project

India - Andhra Pradesh from Melanie

Hi Don

These are the latest pictures Andrapedesh. Is there any way of putting these on the internet to show the world whats happening to our orphanage. They have been evacuated to higher ground, and are safe, but Giri is constantly helping everyone to reach higher ground. Its really bad, as this is the worst floods for 100 years. People here have lost everything, and even their lives. We don t know the full facts of how many people are missing.
They expect the Krishna river to recede, in a weeks time.

Melanie

Canada from Sherry

Ethiopia - Ethiopian Schools' Project

Hello Don

I was speaking with Geraldine McCoy about her aid work to Hungary and she spoke to me of your role in UNESCO and said you may also have an interest in our work in Ethiopia.
Our charity, Ethiopian Schools Project, has a volunteer - run charity shop in our local town of Randalstown N. Ireland. We have been able to provide a number of furniture items, baby items and clothing to assist Geraldine and others in filling a 40ft container to provide for the needs of a group of people in Hungary.
Ethiopian Schools Project was started by my wife Christine and I in early 2007 when we set up a small committee to see if we could raise funds to provide education for a large group of children in an impoverished community in a large city called Shashemene in South Ethiopia.
We had been in this area with Habitat for Humanity in 2006 and were challenged when we saw so many children with no education provision in their area.
From a small beginning we raised sufficient funds to rent a vacant building in Shashemene and began a school for 160 children(Sept '07) employing teachers from the local area and managed by a local committee.

In our home town we were very fortunate to obtain the use of a vacant shop premises in May 2008 to commence a Charity support shop and this has been well supported by our local community here in Randalstown N. Ireland. This is now our main source of funding for the Schools Project, staffed by volunteers and supported by all sections of the community.

The number of children in the school was increased to 210 (Sept'08) and at the same time, following a year of negotiation with local authority in Shashemene, we were granted a piece of land to commence the building of a new school. Construction began right away and on 12th July '09 our new school was opened with current provision for up to 320 children.

All the children from the rented building have transferred to the new school along with over 40 new entrants. At this time the enrolment is 257 and this number will be increased each year provided our support finance can be maintained. Our construction plan also includes a 3rd block of classrooms which is presently under our consideration and if completed will raise the student capacity to around 500.

We visit the project in Ethiopia 2 - 3 times each year and invite other interested people to travel with us. Back in July '09 we had a group of 9 including a doctor, nurse and 2 teachers from N. I.

We have a local, approved committee in Shashemene who oversee all aspects of the project and we communicate regularly by email and regular visits for face to face discussions. In addition to our main goal of education provision for the children we have also made progress towards improved nutrition and health care for the children as well as adult education for the parents and others in the local community.

We commend our Project for your interest.
 
Kevin

Nigeria - Ayodele receives educational resources for onward passage to Lagos.

International Peace Day Competitions

International Peace Day Competitions - Congratulations


Prize winners

1. Emily – young entry – UNESCO puzzle- Northern Ireland

2. Pedro and Luis – UNESCO puzzle - Portugal

3. Katerina video response draw - Greece

4. Halina comment response draw - Poland

5. Yiling - most appropriate comment to the ethos of A Ray of Hope - United States

Best wishes and again our congratulations.

Hungary - preparations being made for the container to assist 9 villages.

India Sujata and Team - "a sustainable model"

Here is a different perspective....the commercial sustainable model...o'course on a very small scale...

We have been educating some of the the villagers in Kashmir regarding livestock breeding and its benefits.
When asked, most of them would say that an extra Rs.2000 per month(approx $50) is all they are looking for as a regular income... O'course we need to teach them to dream bigger!!! But for the start, we have given them 1 or 2 goats from our own stock (our organization is called SNOW VALLEY FARM) to look after for a 6 month pilot run.
The deal is very simple. The goat belongs to us(Like in the 'library' model). We also take care of the vaccination cost, etc. They keep the milk and the fur. By simply selling the milk, they can earn around Rs.1000 per month from each goat. Hence they can decide how much money they'd like to make and opt for those many number of goats. They can make Rs.2000 per month by simply looking after 2 goats. Eventually, we want them to start thinking bigger and look at livestock breeding as a sustainable option, thereby contributing towards the growth of the industry as well.

We are also trying to get them interested in the existing Government run schemes which are very attractive and requires absolutely no investment from their side. They are hesitant, probably because in that scenario, they'll have to wait a while before they can start making money...The Government starts them off by giving them 25 sheep or goats and they are supposed to return 5 back every year for 5 years, starting from the third year onwards - a fantastic opportunity if you ask me. However, they were happy to try our promotion, perhaps because they realized that they could earn right from the first month.  Although it is the women who will eventually look after the livestock, we have the men here, posing with their goats. The women are not allowed to be photographed.

India --- "our new friends".

To give you a background, this 'school' operates at 14000 feet....where there are no roads or telephones or any kind of connectivity.....Our shepherds make their makeshift camps for about 6 months...only hardcore trekkers like us can reach them - This is our very modest effort to rehabilitate these children who have no way of acquiring any form of formal education....Their teacher(for the time being) is a shepherd who has high school level education....

We are also supporting an initiative in Srinagar(Kashmir) catering to children below 5 years. Children are eligible to go to school at the age of 5. These children belong to small time artisans, masons and other workers. Ordinarily they would be found running around helter-skelter on the streets when their fathers are out working and the mothers are busy tending to the house. The women in Kashmir are mostly confined to the house. Here they are taught basic values, the concept of sharing, making friends and are introduced to their first English alphabets and numbers.

This is where the baby clothes library could be established... However, we will require only winter clothing, full sleeved uppers and full length lowers - going by the cultural and social requirement of the place.
There is a very interesting story about how and why I chose Kashmir as an area of work....perhaps I'll share it with you some day over a cup of coffee! But I'll leave you with an interesting thought....Kashmir is perhaps the only state in India where everyone has their own piece of land and they all have enough(spell non vegetarian food) to eat!!..Compared to our other states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh where landless farmers are driven to commit siucides because they are unable to feed their families.....Have you ever wondered why then did the youth of this pampered state resort to militancy as an option?????
 
Sujata

Nepal - The Metta Centre.

Many congratulations to all at the Metta Centre as they celebrate their 9th anniversary. A plethora of love and attention, enthusiasm and endeavour. The best wishes of A Ray of Hope have been proffered to the Metta Centre Community.

India - Roch Valley gymnastics and sports' supplies arrive safely.

Philippines - clothes from Heaton's Ltd Ireland arrive safely.

Hungary - "Football Mission"

Football Coaches come to Nyirbeltek in Hungary for football and fun

August 2009

There were 7 in our team, going on this football mission.


Thelma Lynch, Holyhead, Kizzy Price (my Grand daughter),Pastor Liz Boote Chester, Melanie Price, Michael from London, Paul Perris from London, and Marc Edwards from Wales
It had been planned for 3 years that Michael and his friends would come out to Hungary, to teach the poor children in the villages the basics of English Football. They might as well have been 3 David Beckhams, because the children in all the villages were just so excited and expectant. They got more then they bargained for and so did we. They turned out in their 100s and some of the children only wore flip-flops and underpants.
Fortunately we had football shirts and football trainers and boots provided kindly by A Ray of Hope. The children queued up patiently waiting to see if we had their size. So much fun was had by the trainers and coaches alike that the children did not want them to leave after the two weeks was up.

Black Rock FC, has now attached itself to Nyirbeltek FC, Hungary, and they will return next year again with more coaches, footballs and football strips. The villages and Communities alike were united together in fun, and laughter through football, of course all the lovely girls came along to urge their teams on. This is a perfect example of how we can bring inclusion, and unity by Sport, and fun. The coaches themselves had never experienced such a great feeling of achievement, and a wonderful winning time was had by all. Kizzy, my Grand daughter got on well with all the young ladies, and she shared her life with them and counselled them about some personal issues, and heard of their very difficult lives. Kizzy cried..............Kizzy made some beautiful new friends, and promised to keep in touch and return next year.

Our aim is always to feed the poor, and bring relief to the needy, and to make friends and unite communities with LOVE, and UNDERSTANDING. Guess what, IT WORKS..........
We visited Bag, and gave out gifts for the children, for once they all looked well, and happy. The children, some naked enjoyed the warm Summer Sun.
In Hadjunannas, we found our friends who had been evicted from their homes, to see them happily re-housed in a block of flats, and they had been given jobs as road sweepers, and chilli pickers. We sought them out in the town by blowing the Shofar, the children heard the sound of our instrument and came running, shouting Melanini, Lizzini, and we went to their new homes to hear what happened after we had sent in the Racial Equality men from Budapest......guess what...ha ha ha happy ending
Sadly to say while we were in Nyirbeltek enjoying each others company, some Nazi skinheads came into Kissletta, the next village and shot DEAD, a Mother in front of her 2 children, and then sliced the children up with knives, we were devastated, and couldn't believe that this could happen in 2009. One of our men went to the funeral the following week and said it was more then he could bare. This has been happen on a regular basis, as organised gangs come in the night to bring DEATH and Destruction. 8 in Nyirbator, 5 In Hadjunanas. We are doing something to change prejudices and negative attitudes to save lives.
Not to end on a gruesome note, but we are making IMPACT, by understanding and befriending the loveless, homeless, and underprivileged.
We are going back on September 21, wit more LOVE, JOY and HAPPIY TIMES.
Sunflowers Growing very well...thank you to all who help and who care

Sierra Leone - educational supplies arrive safely.

Nepal - photographs from Binod's Science Workshop

Hungary/Romania - Necessary miscellaneous supplies begin their journey.

Children's clothing, chocolate biscuits (4000) , toys, educational posters, teachers' notes and lesson plans, desktop science books, folders and wallets begin their journey to Hungary, Romania.