The Guild PROJECT UPDATE  Scottish Love in Action Touching the untouchables February 2009 The work with the Dalit children in Tuni continues to grow thanks to Guild support. Two new part-time headmasters have been appointed setting classes for pupils of all ages. Five students have moved on to higher education. An immunisation programme is about to be started and, as hoped, the new extension to the boys’ accommodation has now been opened, giving the boys more comfortable sleeping quarters and improved toilet facilities. The addition of the home/school at Hyderabad is providing accommodation for another 62 children and an other 93 attend the school from the local area. November 2008 This report gives full accounts of the work being done in Tuni, along with a profile on the staff there. Copies are available from the Guild Office. Gillie also writes of the financial crisis which will cause further deprivation in underdeveloped countries. But she tells the good news that they have established an immunisation programme. She also tells of a team of 11 musicians and film makers went out to Tuni and made a musical with the children which they films. The children enjoyed this fun activity. September 2008 This update tells of Joan Smart’s trip to India. She visited the home/school in Hyderabad before going to Tuni. In Hyderabad, she was struck by the chaos and poverty. It was distressing seeing people living in tents on the streets in the rain. At the home, the children were all happy and tried to give but the gifts brought to them – they were so unused to having possessions. There are 60 children there and 450 in Tuni. It was good to see the children feeling part of a family and being well fed – these are the lucky ones. Joan then taught in the school in the block named after her late husband, Dougal Smart. The children were keen to learn and clapped at the end of lessons – not like Scotland. January 2008 The children who are helped by the Guild project are feeling loved and supported by all the care and attention they are receiving from members. We are helping give them the knowledge that they are important as individuals. The SLA development officer and one of the trustees will be heading to Tuni at the end of January to see developments. They will spend time with Dr Premdas and the children to ascertain priorities for the coming year. This update contains the story of Sam and Rob’s visit to Tuni in 2007. Rob was one of the original group who went there, and the story is a moving one, about the return visit which also tied in with his and Samantha’s first wedding anniversary. Copies available form Guild Office. November 2007 SLA have agreed to assist a rescue home in Hyderabad with 50 children – they were left with no support when their sponsor was killed in a car accident. Support will be for one year in the first instance. The trustees recognise the challenge but the need was great. They don’t want to move the children to Tuni as Hyderabad is their home city. The update contains a report from Colin McRae, the SLA development officer who had worked in Tuni as a volunteer and also updates on two of the children. An article on the issue of untouchability quotes the Indian Prime Minister as comparing it to Apartheid – atrocities against those of the Dalit caste runs at a rate of 26,000 per year. Ten children from the Light of Love school passed their 10th class exams and are now studying a range of subjects at our equivalent of 6th form.SLA have now established a fund to pay for their further education. Without these qualifications, children are considered illiterate. Copies of Gillie Davidson’s book, the Gift of Hope, is available from SLA, contact them on 0131 455 7153 September 2007 This update starts with thanks for the donations received so far. There are also reports of children who have been helped. Akhila’s widowed mother was heavily in debt trying to survive and care for Akhila. She worked as a hosue servant but was fired when followed by debt collectors. She hung herself, leaving Akhila an orphan. Dumped on a train, not knowing where she was, a stranger took her to the Light of Love Home. She is now 16, lively, and a talented dancer. She is also a promising athlete. While not academic, she has worked hard at school. She is compassionate and helps the others when distressed. Now head girl, they willnot be surprised if she goes on to help in the school. Salmon Raj had polio and his family could no longer care for him. He was brought to the Light of Love home and SLA arranged for him to have corrective surgery. Now he is able to walk with crutches and plays cricket and badminton. An Indian student studying at Napier University in Edinburgh is currently teaching SLA volunteers the language to repay the work that SLA is doing in his country! February 2007 This update gives details of many fundraising events taking place – for example, a couple who, instead of gifts for their golden wedding, asked for large cooking pots for the school. Dr Premdas, the director of the school wrote of his joy that SLA is helping the work of the school – now with 430 children. There was also a report on the life styles of the untouchables in India – some clear the drains of excrement during the night, with no protective clothing or tools, and earn a tiny amount. In New Delhi, there are a few public water taps and they are divided on caste lines – the taps for the untouchables are half a mile away and the supply is poor. November 2006 The latest report from SLA provides information on some innovative fundraising efforts – including the twin boys who, for their 7th birthday, asked for money to go to SLA instead of gifts for themselves. Other efforts include marathon participants; various concerts and even a volleyball tournament. The report also included various stories; the little girl taken into the school by Dr Premdas – her only relative, her father, was dying, and he could rest easy knowing his daughter was taken care of. There are various reports from those who have travelled to Tuni to see the work there. The update closes with a profile of Gillie Davidson, SLA founder, following her recently awarded MBE for services to children in the UK and India September 2006 The project reported that over the summer, 11 volunteers had been working with the children in India. AT the present time, 3 volunteers remain there, who are teaching cricket to the children. The project asks that volunteers and others that work with the children are remembered in prayers. The project also supplied a full report from James Tulloch, who worked at the children’s home from August 2005 to June 2006. James gives an accord of his first impressions, as well as of his experiences there. Copies are available from Fiona Punton in the Guild Office.