By Backiamary D. | In Charge of St Joseph House, Santhome, Chennai
Dear Respected GlobalGiving Contributors, Loving Greetings from India! I am writing this progress report and follow-up action for the ongoing Home Care for Poor Rural Teenage Girl Students in Santhome, Chennai, a vital component of this project. Attached is the group photo of the girls. AIM OF THE PROJECT COMPONENT: To run a free house accommodation for the underprivileged teenage girls to enable them to complete high school finals AND (new follow-up action) to attend short-term technical courses in the city so as to learn a trade. REASON FOR INITIAL PROJECT COMPONENT (ongoing): The Tsunami that hit Tamil Nadu, India in Dec 2004 deprived many of our children of the essential necessities of schooling and home. St Joseph's House came into being in 2005 to provide food and lodging for 25 tsunami-affected students of the 10th, 11th and 12th Standard grades. Since June 2005 these students have had the benefits of a secure environment, conducive to the preparation of their final exams. Their food and household amenities was taken care of by the House and in part (see below) by donations through GlobalGiving, which have been life saving help the second year.
St Joseph's house has been fortunate to have had good sponsors for these past 3 years (Caritas India the first year till April 2006; Mary Mother of Peace-Medjugorje Charity and its partner in India Jesus Youth/Jeewana Samridhi the second year till April 2007 including some vital funding to MMP-MC through Global Giving Foundation; the Bishop’s Office in Chennai-Santhome the third year till April 2008). The operating budget we incurred for each year was around Rs.330,000/- (US$ 8,250) plus some small equipment in 2007 such as 25 benches and tables, etc provided by MMP-MC/JY (US$900). Operating budget included the rent for the accommodation of the students in the boarding house/hostel. PURPOSE OF FOLLOW-UP PROJECT COMPONENT: After ongoing project implementation is drawing close to 3 years now and most current students will be finishing their school finals in April 2008, there is a need to plan for next step to make the whole scheme sustainable over time. A majority of the girls being financially handicapped cannot afford to continue their higher education. This is bringing St Joseph's house to the next level of its purpose - that is, to provide the same facilities so that these girls and other poor rural children could attend short-term technical courses like home nursing, lab technician courses and basic knowledge in computers. These courses are free and sponsored by local NGOs in the city. One problem we face today is the house’s landlord has requested us to vacate the facilities as he is in need of the building for himself and his activities. To avoid a similar problem in future it would be better to own an apartment or a house to accommodate the students. Keeping this in mind St Joseph's House is looking forward to have its own premises for the uninterrupted running of the hostel and schooling of the girls. If this provision is made then the monthly rental expenditure which escalates annually could be used for better running the house. The buying of city water could also be avoided as the current house has no water supply (we buy every week from a city truck). Our future plan is to keep St Joseph's house open to reach out to about 10 to 20 rural teenage girls per year aspiring for short-term vocational training courses in the city, so as to secure their future. EXPECTED BUDGET for MAY 2008 to APRIL 2009: In Rs for each month: (US$ 1 = Rs 40) Rent of premises 10,000.00 (optional - if still not owned) Electricity 2,000.00 Food @ 500/- per girl 5,000.00 (If starting with 10 girls only) Water 2,000.00 (if new owned premises has city water direct supply this expense could be avoided) Salary - Cook 2,000.00 Watchman 2,000.00 Medical and Telephone 2,000.00 ---------------- Total one month 25,000.00 (US$625) ---------------- Therefore we require the total amount of Rs 275,000/- ( 25,000 x 11 months) or about US$6,875 for one year. We will be very grateful if we are helped to pursue our goals for the coming years. We look forward to a positive reply from the GlobalGiving family. Thanking you, Yours Sincerely, Backiamary D. In charge-St Joseph's House.
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