| St Mary’s School, Bangalore |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
St Mary’s School in Bangalore
The School opened in June 2004 being a dream fulfilled for Sister Thankamma Varkey (an
Indian lady) and also for Heather Johnson & Pam Prior two members of St Mary’s Church,
who helped to raise some of the money required to equip the School.
It is a kindergarten school, plus a crèche facility, for children from 2 ½ to 6 years. The children
attending the school are not orphans – they do have parents who are classed as the
“untouchables”.
There are now 55 children attending the school, including those in the crèche. They attend
from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and are given milk in the morning followed by a meal at lunchtime,
after which the children go home. The education and food is free. There are 2 teachers and 2
ayahas (non-teaching staff).
Every month a meeting is held in the School for the parents to attend when they receive advice
on hygiene, nutrition and general health problems. Every 3 months a Medical Camp is held
at the School, organised and funded by “The Lions Club” to which all the children and their
parents are invited and any medication needed by the children is given free.
Over the last few years treadle sewing machines have been given and a teacher has been
employed to show the mothers how to make their own clothes. This class takes place each
morning whilst the children are at School. After a year certificates of competence are given
out and the person is given their own machine, in the hope that they can make a living by
making clothes for other people in the area.
About 18 months ago, through the generosity of Ecclesfield Primary and Comprehensive
Schools and other people, enough money was raised to purchase 2 cows. On Heather &
Pam's previous visit they had asked what the women would like to help them supplement
their income. They suggested cows, the milk from which would help supplement their meagre
income. These were given to 2 of the children’s mothers. Both cows are well and one has had a
calf.
Last year out of 16 children due to leave the School, 8 passed an examination to attend “Little
Flowers English School”, which is within walking distance of St. Mary’s School. These 8
children are being sponsored by some members of St. Mary’s, Ecclesfield, friends and groups.
This year 15 children are due to be leaving and will be taking the entrance examination. The
cost of sponsoring a child is at present £45 per year. This money not only pays for their
education but also for 2 sets of uniform, 2 pairs of shoes, schoolbag and extra tuition. These
children return to St Mary’s at lunchtime for their meal and again after school for milk and
biscuits and then return to Little Flowers for an hour’s extra tuition. The reason for the latter is
that there is no-one at home capable of helping them with their homework. This year Heather
and Pam met these 8 children again and were surprised to see how they had grown in
confidence and all of them said they are very happy at their new School. A meeting was
arranged with the Headmistress who said she was very pleased with the children’s progress.
If you would like to know more about the School and perhaps arrange for a talk with slides,
then please contact either Heather on 0114 2463104 or Pam on 0114 2463482.
The School opened in June 2004 being a dream fulfilled for Sister Thankamma Varkey (an
Indian lady) and also for Heather Johnson & Pam Prior two members of St Mary’s Church,
who helped to raise some of the money required to equip the School.
It is a kindergarten school, plus a crèche facility, for children from 2 ½ to 6 years. The children
attending the school are not orphans – they do have parents who are classed as the
“untouchables”.
There are now 55 children attending the school, including those in the crèche. They attend
from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and are given milk in the morning followed by a meal at lunchtime,
after which the children go home. The education and food is free. There are 2 teachers and 2
ayahas (non-teaching staff).
Every month a meeting is held in the School for the parents to attend when they receive advice
on hygiene, nutrition and general health problems. Every 3 months a Medical Camp is held
at the School, organised and funded by “The Lions Club” to which all the children and their
parents are invited and any medication needed by the children is given free.
Over the last few years treadle sewing machines have been given and a teacher has been
employed to show the mothers how to make their own clothes. This class takes place each
morning whilst the children are at School. After a year certificates of competence are given
out and the person is given their own machine, in the hope that they can make a living by
making clothes for other people in the area.
About 18 months ago, through the generosity of Ecclesfield Primary and Comprehensive
Schools and other people, enough money was raised to purchase 2 cows. On Heather &
Pam's previous visit they had asked what the women would like to help them supplement
their income. They suggested cows, the milk from which would help supplement their meagre
income. These were given to 2 of the children’s mothers. Both cows are well and one has had a
calf.
Last year out of 16 children due to leave the School, 8 passed an examination to attend “Little
Flowers English School”, which is within walking distance of St. Mary’s School. These 8
children are being sponsored by some members of St. Mary’s, Ecclesfield, friends and groups.
This year 15 children are due to be leaving and will be taking the entrance examination. The
cost of sponsoring a child is at present £45 per year. This money not only pays for their
education but also for 2 sets of uniform, 2 pairs of shoes, schoolbag and extra tuition. These
children return to St Mary’s at lunchtime for their meal and again after school for milk and
biscuits and then return to Little Flowers for an hour’s extra tuition. The reason for the latter is
that there is no-one at home capable of helping them with their homework. This year Heather
and Pam met these 8 children again and were surprised to see how they had grown in
confidence and all of them said they are very happy at their new School. A meeting was
arranged with the Headmistress who said she was very pleased with the children’s progress.
If you would like to know more about the School and perhaps arrange for a talk with slides,
then please contact either Heather on 0114 2463104 or Pam on 0114 2463482.
| Click on the Wikipedia Logo above to lean more about Bangalore. |
| Click on the Lions Club Logo to learn more about their work. |
| Sportsday |
| School Group Photograph Taken in March 2008 |
| Below are some photographs taken by Heather and Pam on a recent visit to the School Click on images to open full size in a new window |
| Typical house in which these children live. |
| "Lions Club" medical camp |
| Children playing in building sand. |
| Children performing song and dance |
| The 8 sponsored children at "Little Flowers" English School. |
For more information or to make a donation please contact:-
KRUPALAYA,
Global Vision Trust International,
69/70, Lakshminarayana Layout,
5th Main Road, (Opposite Lakshminarayana Temple.)
Munnekolalu,
Marathahalli Post
Bangalore 560037.
INDIA.
Phone: +91 80 28541133.
Email:
Visit Global Vision Trust International Website:
KRUPALAYA,
Global Vision Trust International,
69/70, Lakshminarayana Layout,
5th Main Road, (Opposite Lakshminarayana Temple.)
Munnekolalu,
Marathahalli Post
Bangalore 560037.
INDIA.
Phone: +91 80 28541133.
Email:
Visit Global Vision Trust International Website:
Treasurer Visits St Mary's - Ecclesfield
Mr Janifer is the Treasurer of St Mary's School Bangalore. When Heather and Pam were in
Bangalore earlier in the year, he mentioned that he was retiring from his job as Administrator
of a very large Christian school in Bangalore, and was intending to travel to America, Europe
and finally England. He asked if he and his wife could come to visit them and also meet the
people of St Mary's here in Ecclesfield to thank them for their support of the children in the
School.
Revd Canon 'Tricia' Impey invited Mr Janifer to speak about what is happening in the School
and his involvement with it, which he did at both the 9.30 am and 11.15 am Services. After
his return to Bangalore he e-mailed to say how much he and his wife had enjoyed their visit to
Ecclesfield and how warmly they had been welcomed by everyone. Heather and Pam made
sure they sampled traditional English fare by introducing them to fish and chips, Yorkshire
Pudding and ice cream (not all together!!).
Sister Thankamma Varkey has recently informed Heather and Pam that 9 children have, this
year, passed the examination to go to "Little Flowers English School". These children need
sponsorship to enable them to continue with their education.
If you would like more information about sponsorship, please contact either Heather or Pam -
(0114 2463104/0114 2463482.
Mr Janifer is the Treasurer of St Mary's School Bangalore. When Heather and Pam were in
Bangalore earlier in the year, he mentioned that he was retiring from his job as Administrator
of a very large Christian school in Bangalore, and was intending to travel to America, Europe
and finally England. He asked if he and his wife could come to visit them and also meet the
people of St Mary's here in Ecclesfield to thank them for their support of the children in the
School.
Revd Canon 'Tricia' Impey invited Mr Janifer to speak about what is happening in the School
and his involvement with it, which he did at both the 9.30 am and 11.15 am Services. After
his return to Bangalore he e-mailed to say how much he and his wife had enjoyed their visit to
Ecclesfield and how warmly they had been welcomed by everyone. Heather and Pam made
sure they sampled traditional English fare by introducing them to fish and chips, Yorkshire
Pudding and ice cream (not all together!!).
Sister Thankamma Varkey has recently informed Heather and Pam that 9 children have, this
year, passed the examination to go to "Little Flowers English School". These children need
sponsorship to enable them to continue with their education.
If you would like more information about sponsorship, please contact either Heather or Pam -
(0114 2463104/0114 2463482.
| Below are some photographs taken during Mr Janifer's recent visit to St Mary's Click on images to open full size in a new window |
| Mr Janifer talks to the 9.30 congregation |
| A cup of tea in between services |
| Followed by a traditional 'Sunday Lunch' with Heather and Pam |
| Mr and Mrs Janifer at Chatsworth House with Heather and Pam |
