On the shores of the Neyyar Dam

That was a mistake. Rajesh has repaired the meter on his autorickshaw. Prices have dropped substantially as a result.

I have spent today in the area around the Neyyar Dam with Pastor Wilson, seeing some of he people that we have been helping in the area, as well as meeting others who are in great need and whom we could help. If we can cut our spending in one area then we can expand it in another, so there will be some hard choices for me to make when I get back to the UK. Fortunately a monthly sub of just GBP5 can make all the difference between getting by and destitution, so there are possibilities.

I started off with a review of the leaf painting, wristband weaving and tailoring training that was going on. Lockdown and Covid have led to a reduction in demand for leaf cards, and supply exceeds demand which is causing problems. Fortunately the tourists are starting to return, so we are hoping that things will improve. On a more positive note, the tailoring training is proving very successful – we provide both training and, for the poorest trainees, a second-hand sewing machine; other people can often get a loan from their credit union. There is a fair demand for their services, and on average they make about GBP 20 to 30 a month – it doesn’t sound a lot to us, but in India it is enough for them to live on.

Another way that we help people to become self-sufficient is to give them a young goat. Shobana was the recipient of one such: her goat has now become three or four, so she is well on the way to a better life as a result.

Today’s lesson is: how to make trousers

He looks just like his Mum!

Some people suffer multiple problems. Sudha’s husband Tangamanny fell off a roof 18 years ago and still has a metal implant the length of his back as a result. He can no longer work, and walks with difficulty – but determination. Their son Jijo is mentally limited as well. As a result the family is very poor. They would like to have a cow, and they know how to look after one, but cows are expensive these days – about GBP 600 to 650. We may be able to get them a calf instead, which should cost just under half as much.

Sudha (left), Tangamanny (centre) and Jijo (right)

Some needs are great. Babu need two heart valves replacing; even at the government hospital this will cost GBP 1700. He has raised about GBP 1000 in cash and loans; if we can give GBP 500 the operation should be able to go ahead.

Some needs are small. Suseela is a widow with medical problems. Some of her meds are free, but she has to pay for others. These would cost GBP 15 a month. As her sole income is her pension of GBP 16 a month, she cannot buy all that she needs and suffers as a result. A monthly sub of GBP 10, or even GBP 5, would be transformative.

We finished with a visit to Rajan, who lost the ends of his fingers when the came into contact with the blades of a grass cutting machine. I asked why he was putting them in such an ill-advised place, and he said that he lost concentration! Anyway, we paid for the worst of the damage to be restored, and the operation has been successful, but he now needs physiotherapy at GBP 9 a session. As he has no job he has no money. I left enough money for five sessions, and we will see how things work out – he needs at least ten sessions.

And there were lots more people like that – people that we help with a monthly sub of GBP 5, 10 or 20 according to their need, people who we have helped with a one off payment for medicines or medical treatment, and people that we have enabled to have major surgery. They really do appreciate all the help that they receive from people who have never met them or even seen them. Thank you, our faithful supporters, for making this possible.

I’ll be back there on Monday, so watch this space!