July 2019 NEWSLETTER: Greetings to all our wonderful supporters.
In the far Northeast corner of India, ‘Happy Days’ nursery nestles in the foothills of Kalimpong.
Here thirty-one girls and boys aged 2 ½ to 4 ½, all from families below the poverty line, living on less than £1.20 per day, are SUPPORTED TOTALLY THROUGH YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS.
Indeed, it is your monies that keep our doors open for these keen, excited little ones, who love learning, through song – dance – drama – art and play and so come to know their alphabet, numbers, rhymes, stories and so much more, in their own language and English.
Our Winter Visit: read about it here
School Transport
DO YOU ALL REMEMBER? In the June 2018 Newsletter, Ann wrote, “Does anyone have the means to donate us a bus”. We received a phone call from a lady, who wishes to remain anonymous. She has given RTL UK money to buy a transport vehicle, plus payment for the running costs for the next 4 years. She has made a great many Mums happy, as previously they had to walk for 1hr each way, some with baby in arms and a toddler, in all kinds of weather, on narrow steep slopes of shale. Thank you, dear kind lady.
Andrew Lal, the owner of the compound and the school in which we rent 2 rooms, assisted Brian in purchasing a Maruti Omi 9 seater transporter, now owned by RTL UK and used solely by Happy Days nursery, for transporting our children. The vehicle was sprayed ‘school bus yellow’, our logo and info were added. Andrew suggested that RTL UK should consider employing their driver, who is safe, reliable, and trustworthy. This we did, and Brian went daily with the driver to make sure that he knew how to keep a record of fuel usage and daily mileage in the logbook. Andrew is responsible for the vehicle in our absence.
Thank you
You, our supporters, are truly marvellous. You step forward to help us run our Happy Days nursery. You are truly good friends, neighbours, workmates, associates, colleagues, and charity giving trusts. You all continue to support us. For this, I personally send you my deepest heartfelt gratitude, together with our trustees, for without your donations, the glimmer of hope, the mums have for the future of their child would be shattered.
It cost RTL UK £180 per child, annually. This provides rented rooms, plus all equipment, four trained teachers, daily food for the children, transportation and an annual medical check. At a private nursery, the cheapest cost is £280 per child annually, and on top of this, the parents would have to pay for uniforms, books and bus fares. We RTL UK are needed by these poorest of families. They solely rely on us. They live on £1.20 a day. That must cover all expenses. They belong to the Tribal and Scheduled Classes – the Indian government call them ‘The Backward Group’. They make up 25% of Kalimpong’s population. These families cannot afford tapped water or heating in their room. They exist on two meagre meals a day.
Garden Party
To run our school and support our families, we hold an annual Fundraising Garden Party, this year it is on SATURDAY 3rd of August 2019. Ann and Brian personally bear the cost. They have booked marques, and provide seating, indoors and out. Shaded from the sun and protected from the rain. It is held in a beautiful, peaceful, country garden. The spread is magnificent, with delicious starters, buffet lunch of home-cooked pastries and meats, scrumptious homemade cakes, cheese and biscuits, all downed with Prosecco, Pimm’s, good quality wines, and tea or coffee.
Following the meal, we hold an Auction, in which the family, personal friends and trustees provide the items. All our printing cost are met by Ann and Brian’s two sons, Ann and Brian pay for postage. All trustees work voluntarily and pay for their own air-flights, accommodation and food.
All donations gratefully received. Please be as generous as you can, as we currently just break even.
REST ASSURED. WHEN YOU GIVE MONEY TO ROOM TO LEARN UK, IT ALL GOES ON THE CHILDREN. Few charities can make this claim.
THANK YOU – FROM US ALL.
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Banking details for donations:
Barclays Bank PLC
Account Name: ROOM TO LEARN
Sort Code: 20-97-48
Account No: 13837335. Registered Charity No 1165428