Letter From India

This time the letter is from Philip Mathew.

Kalathara New Centre.-: The Banyan Tree Counseling, Special Therapy and Special Training Centre was working on 4 th of April 2016. The Official inauguration of the centre was 12th of ASpril. Bro. Tom Sutherland presides of the meeting, Mrs. Mini –Aruvikara Gramma Pachayath President was ( Local Govt. Body ) lighting the lamp (Inaugurating) the presents of Block pachayath member Mrs. Priya and Ward member Mrs. Rejithakumari, children and their parents was attending the function.
There are 17 regular children attending the special training and therapy (5 days in a week) and 12 children attending only therapy ie, 3 days. One Physiotherapist, a Speech therapist ,a Acu pressure therapist, two Special teachers for Occupational therapy and behavior therapy and two ayah (helper).
Kalathara is 7 km from Nedumangad bus station (Aruvikara Mancha Road) 4 km from Kulappada. We had got a doubled storied building. The building security deposited Rs. 3 laks for 5 years. We save the money from the craft centre for the last 6 years. If we get a good craft order – greeting cards and cloth items- from outside we save money for purchase new centre. And Rs 5 thousand rent per month. It has a compound wall and gate and lot of space outside and inside. Three rooms and a kitchen a big hall and a sit out in the ground floor for Special therapy centre and two rooms and hall a sit out also in the 1st floor for counseling and craft training.
My nice Anu Philip B Sc Nursing is working in Gulf country and Anchu Mary George is working in Mumbai hospital . They donated a Maruti Omni van (8 seat) Rs one lakh and forty thousand model 2010 is the second hand for the disabled children picking up from different places. Rs. One lakh from Anu and Anchu and forty thousand from Banyan tree. Please pray for them
Vacation Classes- was starting from 11th of April. Now we have 14 centre and qualified 15 teachers 320 children attending the vacation class. We were arranging one day teachers training. Students from LKG to VII standard , 4 to 12 years old were studied in different centre. Because of the backwardness of the children in education the prime focus was given to the language skills learning like read and write, basic of mathematics. Children also learn Hindi letters common words nouns verbs etc in vacation class. At last week of May were arranged parents meetings with all the children. There was a concluding session for the vacation coaching in which all the studentsand parents participated. As part of vacation coaching the organization arranged one day tour programme for children. In this year we arranged two trips to Kannayakumari beach and some important tourist places. And 4trips to Varkala Beach and two trips to Kovalam. The Children and parents are very happy and more children are coming and attending our tour programe. We brought 1800 note book and 300 pens for distributing the children. In this year we order 300 children’s dictionary – English English Malayalam dictionary to supply for the children. Every English class children bring it in the class and look the word meaning correct pronunciation. It is easy to learn English.
I have a request to you please help for the development of our counseling and special therapy centre. We need two teachers and two helpers and a driver salary. This type of work is very impressive and satisfaction . I hope you will arrange some fund for developing our special therapy and special training centre.
Educational Help.- My children, Sanjoe Philip is going to college for B com (Co operation) . He completed second semester course and join to third semester. He is waiting for the first and second semester exam result. Don Philip is study in X standard . And Joel Philip is IX th standard . Thank you for your consideration and great help . We also pray for your great work . we invite you to my home. Thank you …. Thank you….. thank you for your education help.
Anie B S – Is studying General Nursing at Lourde School of Nursing Kottiyam. We paid half of fees in first year. Ancey is studying plus two MLT course. She is waiting for first year (Plus one ) result. They also give thanks to you. Anie send a Malayalam letter to you. I translate it below.
Dear Benefactors,
We hope you are keeping fine. First of all we thanks to you for a wonderful help and we pray for you everyday.
My first year exam will be start on September. I will work hard to score good marks and you also pray for me. Now we got a hospital training three days in a week. My mother Sohba , paid RS 40000/ – out of 60,000/-. ie you gave 30,000/- the balance amount is 20000/- That will be pay before the first year examination. My father is not well. He is under the treatment for the back bone so he can’t any hard work. Now he is working in a private shop as a security in cochin. He could buy the medicine and his daily expense. Some time he send balance money to refund of bank loan . Every month my mother came in our college and sister advice to pay the balance fee. My mother is crying and go back to home. My sister also study plus two course. I am happy to hear about your valuable help for her also. She is also waiting for her result. We also say that thank you for your help consideration. My mother is working in Banyan Tree Counseling and Special Therapy centre at Kalathara. So she meets all daily family expenses. I also thanks to you for my mother’s job.
Next year you will come to my home and bless us. Thank you. Anie Bs.
The Cards are ready to send you. I will plane to send it two parcels. One is the first week of July and other is last week.
Thank you.
Philip

I asked Philip for a bit more information about the special needs centre and he wrote:-

Dear Edmund Sir,
Greetings from Banyan Tree.
Special therapy centre- is smoothly running. Now we have two special teachers and two helpers are working 5 days in a week. (full time) We paid Rs 8000/- per moth each teachers and Rs. 6000/- per moth for each helpers . Driver is also working 5 days ina week , he gets Rs 7500/- and petrol near to Rs.10800/- per moth and repaire and maintanace is Rs 1800/- Every day we start at 10 am and litt a lamp and prayer conducting by the teachers.All children are attending the prayers. After prayer one by one goes to therapy and others go to class- they learn colours, reconize things , animals,fruits flowers etc. 10 45 am they got tea and snacks/ biscuts 11.15 to 12.30 learn numbers, letters etc. After that lunch break up to 1.45pm the helpers and teachers are hepling the children to eat wash hands and dishes. After lunch break they are enjoying music – christain action songs Biblical stories, jucngle book stories , songs etc. 2.45pm we arrange tea and sacks some times we gave eggs. I hope we easy to get a sponser for food and food items. Now 17 regular children and 12 children come only for therapy ie 3 days. It is very difficult to get a sponser for salaries and other.
with regards
philip