Dear Friends,
Yet another month goes by, but at long last, subject to visa approval, I am able to report that I will be returning to India next month!
Visa issues have become a difficulty since the start of the pandemic, none being issued for a two year period and even now limited numbers as the country seems to be about 6 months behind the U.K. and currently is seeing a downturn in Omnicron cases. My application is in!
Projects
All continues to go well thanks to our wonderful staff. The work with children with cancer has been prioritised as using what little public transport available is too risky for children undertaking chemotherapy. 46 sponsored children are transported as needed. We provide around 50 food bags every day for the poorest inpatients and continue to give a monthly allowance to a further 52 who are in isolated villages and may be recovering from extensive treatment. More of this when I send a full report after the pending visit.
The elders on our lunch project continue to have a hot lunch every day (52), and we still provide supplementary food for our 112 children in the tuition centre.
The leprosy colony continues as always in isolation, our monthly food supplies for 27 families being an essential lifeline and we have recently restarted the monthly programme for their children and grandchildren who suffer the same isolation.
Plans for the trip
Staff and trustee meetings will be a priority. We are looking at a possible sale of one of the Mavelikara buildings which is underused (Kerala is in a much better position that Tamil Nadu). This inevitably means meeting with Advocates, Accountants and reacquainting myself with Indian bureaucracy! Most important though will be to see our wonderful people, it has been too long a gap.
So full report hopefully on my return!
Every blessing and thanks for your concern and support.