Today is international day of the girl. These girls are changemakers. All the girls in this photo have overcome barriers that living in a marginalised community brings. They are resourceful, have tenacity are resilient and they are an inspiration to us all. All these girls are part of #hopegardensindia and thanks to our supporters they are all in education, they all have a voice and we are hearing them loud and clear.
Thank you and Merry Christmas
2021 has been a year on which we look back with great thanksgiving and we thank God for the generosity of our supporters and the commitment of our partners in South India.
Here are some highlights from the past year:
Sustainability: We’ve increased the sustainability of our projects with the purchase of another paddy field, which together with the existing paddy will produce the vast majority of food needed for our projects.
Our Covid response: thanks to your support this has been amazing : approximately 18,000 individuals have been blessed with Hope Gardens food parcels, hygiene equipment and PPE since March.
Healthcare: Our Medical teams have worked alongside government officials and police in support of the national vaccination rollout.
Education: We have focused on educational continuity - school fees have been paid, online learning enabled and additional tutoring given as well as our after school programmes expanded.
Every blessing for 2022
The Hope Gardens team
James Smashed It!
A huge well done for James for absolutely smashing the London Marathon and raising … over £2,000 for our Hope for Children programme and specifically for our Day Care Centre!
Thanks to you James for taking on this crazy challenge because through your generous supporters we can open our Day Care centre - on MONDAY! Amazing!
Hope is ....... a new school bus
We are so proud of our school and thrilled that last January it was recognised as the Number One School in the Theni district for its facilities and educational provision by the Theni District Differently Abled Welfare Officer.
One of the USPs of our school is the pick-up and drop off service for all children from their homes by our school bus which enables the children’s parents or carers to work while they are at school.
Great News! We are excited to announce that 100% of our new school bus has now been funded.
Thank you to all our supporters of this essential initiative
Emergency Appeal
Hope Gardens has launched an emergency appeal as India battles with this second wave of the virus.
Our appeal will support the vital work that the pastors are doing in the communities bringing relief parcels and also to ensure that our medical centre can continue to provide its essential service
For more information on how to donate please go to this link:
https://hopegardens.reachapp.co/campaigns/2nd-wave-appeal
Our after school clubs are open!
The education gap caused by the pandemic is being healed at our after school programmes everyday. Year 9-12 children are benefitting from vital tutoring & 1-2-1 support after school.
State government restrictions are such that schools and our after school clubs are only open for these years 9-12 as there are important exams in years 10 and 12 for the children to prepare for.
Our tutors have stepped up to fill in the gaps in the children’s education, support those who have become disengaged with learning and given specific guidance to those taking 10th and 12th standard national exams.
In KR Thoppur Shanti has also been helping children in Kindergarten as well as they start out on their important learning journey. We are so grateful for our tutors and their flexibility in meeting the needs of their students.
To add some variety to their studies in CumbumMettu (in addition to the daily cricket practice) also on offer are fun sewing lessons.
All this is possible because of your #generosity at Christmas! Thank you!
