Monday February 10th

Jute and Philip go to school!

Ashra Kiran Ashram

During the 4-hour journey this morning it was a treat to see the beautiful landscape as we crossed into the more rural area of Tamil Nadu – impressive mountain ranges, acres of trees, fields growing rice, irrigation systems, cattle, goats and even some monkeys!

At Asha Kiran Ashram School we were greeted by the headmistress, Anbu (Love) and one of the Special Educators, Rani. We were allowed to visit the students while they were working individually at their new colourful tables, which were funded by HHI. Some of the older students showed that they recognised me from 5 years ago by waving, smiling and giving me the thumbs up. One boy was practising writing his name in Malayalam. I had a ‘go’ and managed to get it right on his chalk board.

views while travelling between Tamil nadu and Kerala

Can you write your name?

At mid-day mealtime the students sat crossed leg, if they were able to, and enjoyed their meal of rice and egg. There is no charge for the food which is cooked at a local Government school and delivered to Ashra Kiran Ashram each day. Some students ate with the assistance of the ‘caretakers’.

Some students need help with feeding.

Phillip and I were shown into the physio room where the physiotherapist, MG, greeted us and spoke in excellent English about her work and her love of being with children. She travels on a bus for 1 hr 30 mins every day to get to school. She also told us how much she appreciated the items given by Edmund Plummer and Chris Byrne last year.

As requested, she he gave us a list other items which would be useful for her important work.  These included sports equipment – footballs, shuttle cocks, badminton rackets as well as another physio- bed. In total, MG and Phillip estimated the cost at Rs8000 (£74). This money will be left in the school office tomorrow.

Physio room and physiotherapist MG .

Pastor Porselvan Asiri has replaced Santosh as the new person in charge of Ashra Kiran Ashram and Head of Celestial Ministries. He explained the changes the school must make in order to comply with the new Government regulations. There must be a maximum of 8 students to one teacher per classroom. They need 4 classrooms of a certain size, a staff room, a principal’s room, a library and more. Partitions are going up and extensions are being planned.

For the last hour of the day all the students (only 24 in attendance today) gathered into the neighbouring church building which Porselvan has purchased from Santhosh. A missionary lady entertained the students with puppets and dressing up. I taught the delighted children an action song – head, shoulders, knees and toes – and led the closing prayer.

Before the students were helped into the awaiting tuck -tucks for their journey home, a photograph was taken of all the students and staff.

Tomorrow is a festival holiday which means the students will not be in school.  The staff will attend a staff meeting where we will discuss how HHI can fund some new teaching materials. The money sent from SFHHI will be given to the school once the details have been decided.

Phillip and Pastor Porselvan Asir -Head of Celestial Ministries__