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.