Crakehall School, Mettupalayam progress

At long last, we have received some updated pictures from Mettupalayam. The new school is really starting to take shape and the walls are now being built between the supporting pillars. This is a new form of construction to us, with concrete walls being built within shuttering, supervised very closely by our excellent engineer and his team. We now hope to open the building during the early to middle of October. I have in fact booked my flights out for the 8th October so the engineer is aware of the time deadline for the opening ceremony!

Building progress

Now that the foundations are in place, the brickwork is starting to show real progress. Because of severe water shortages following the failure of the South West monsoon, we are having to buy in water. Every day, the building work is using 1000's of litres for concrete.

We are still on target to open the school in October and hope to have both trustee and donor representation at the event.

The wages that we are paying to the workmen and women will have a very real impact in the community- in a poor, rural area, little money comes in from outside the local economy and any additional money circulates around many times, benefiting many people.

local support

For many years, IRDT has been working below the radar of local businesses, being situated in a very rural village, off the main road. However, this has now changed, undoubtedly helped by Venkat's membership of the local Rotary and Lions clubs. His profile has also increased through strong links to the Indian Bank through SHG loans schemes, and also working with UNICEF and the Tamil Government on a village latrine programme.

This last week-end, a local pawnbroker has very kindly donated a whole set of school uniforms, some books and other items to Mettupalayam School- a total of Rps22000 worth (£280). This is a very significant sum in Indian terms, equivalent to a donation in the UK of around £2800!

The local Tamil community do seem to have a strong service ethic, and a strong regard for helping others less fortunate than themselves.

Sunday Lunch

For some time now, we have been able to provide a mid day meal on schooldays to all the old age people in our Mettupalayam area. We are now paying the cook for an extra day each week, buying in additional food and providing a mid day meal on Sundays as well. Gomathi, pictured, is serving the first meals last week. This will cost about an extra £30 each month- a small price to pay to ensure that everyone will be fed. We are also looking at the level of protein that is provided, we may need to supplement this with eggs.

Crakehall School, Mettupalayam Update

One month after my last update, it is appears that little progress has been made, however the site is now fully marked out, the foundation trenches have been completed and building of the first support pillars has started. We have an expression "Indian time" to describe how things tend to take much longer than anticipated, but it is easy at a distance to forget all the practical difficulties that Venkat faces- not least organising construction work in temperatues well in excess of 100 degreesF!
Venakt and Ramya are taking a well earned short break and visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal- something that Venkat has been promising Ramya for many years. Whilst I would also like to visit the Taj Mahal, I'm not sure I could cope with two 26 hour train journeys in 4 days!

Exam success

We have been supporting Nadhia's family for many years, and her younger sister Lakshmi has featured in our school resource material published by Tiger Moon. Nadhia recently completed her Higher Secondary School examinations, gaining a very good pass mark of 782 out of 1200. This is a very high score for students in this rural area, and reflects all Nadhia's hard work and dedication over the last two years.

Venkat is talking to Nadhia about her future and we are offering her a full time staff position at our project, as understudy to Gomathi. She may wish to continue her studies towards gaining a teaching qualification and we will look to continue to encourage her to continue her studies if at all possible.

Crakehall School, Mettupalayam

At long last, the foundation work for the new Crakehall School has started. This building will replace the three old buildings which have been erected over the years, providing a modern, purpose built set of classrooms, suitable for the next generation of pupils. We will also be able to accept pupils with disabilities, particularly wheelchairs, in the new building. With larger doors and windows, a nice balcony for shade, and much larger rooms, the improvement will be marvellous to see.

Subject to any unforseen delays, we hope to complete the building stage within 3 months. Regular updates will appear on this blog, together with photos as available.

Thank you again to Guy and family for donating all the money to enable Venkat to realise his dream.