Sharon International Ministries(SIM) is the charity which has built and is running a school in Andhra Pradesh for the lowest castes and is one of the projects now under the Beaconsfield Christian Churches Trust. As the school is now up and running with 400 pupils, we are seeking help from anyone who would like to donate/'gift-aid' a regular sum to go towards paying the teachers' salaries. For example 12 people 'gift aiding' £5 per month will pay for a teacher. If you can help and/or would like to know more,

please contact Sheila and Tom (01494 676373).

INDIA TRIP - FEBRUARY 2009

The beginning of February saw bitterly cold weather at home, so much so that our flight to Hyderabad was delayed several hours. Never mind though, because we knew we would be greeted by the warm smile of Dr. Sam Karra who met us at the airport and a sunny climate with 85 degrees plus!! The main purpose of our trip was to see how Dr. Sam’s school, supported by Sharon International Ministries (based in India and Beaconsfield), was faring. The school has been set up to provide a free education for the children of the poorest rural people in the rice growing area 8 hours drive east of Hyderabad. They belong mainly to the lower, scheduled castes and this education will teach them basic skills and the ability to read, write speak English, which will eventually help them to climb out from being at the bottom of the heap.

This was our 3^rd visit to the school. The first visit in January 2007 saw the site with just steel rods sticking out of the ground forming the basis for the foundations. The second visit in January 2008 saw the walls up and the ceiling of the ground floor being constructed with hundreds of scaffolding poles. This time we saw a completed building full of children aged from 4 to 12 years. We were about to see for ourselves what was happening!!

We arrived at the school on Saturday afternoon. It was then we found out that it was a school day (they attend school 6 days a week) and so at the school gates we were greeted by the Headmaster, Yona, and a corridor of pupils dressed in white with green and white striped school ties (this was their Saturday uniform), who all lined up to give us garlands and then to shower us with French marigold flower petals as we walked from one end of the school to the other. Afterwards they went to their different classes and this was our first chance to see what they were learning and to hear them say their names, starting by standing up, crossing their arms and saying ‘My name is ….’ with a big smile and then sitting down. At 3.30 they had a session of drill (Like PT) which was held in the play area. It was quite a sight and reminded me of a part of my schooling. At 4 p.m. it was time for them to go home, some walked back to nearby local villages, but many were taken by school buses to more distant villages. As there was not room on the buses for all the children, some had to wait till the buses returned. Whilst waiting, Sheila, our daughter Suzanne and a friend, Lesley, taught them the ‘Okey Cokey’!! and ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ and it was amazing how quickly they picked up the words and knew what they meant. Then they too returned home.

On the following Monday and Tuesday we had more opportunities to see them at work and play. Only this time their uniform was a checked shirt or blouse with the tie (all provided by Sharon International Ministries). We looked at their work books and the learning material. Because it is an English medium school most lessons are in English, but there are a few lessons to learn Hindi (the national language) and Telagu (the native language in Andhra Pradesh). After school we went with some of the children to see where they lived. Most lived in basic mud/plaster walled huts with a palm leaf thatch roof with one room, where they lived and slept together, and one small room for their meagre possessions and cooking items. Water was available for an hour twice a day and their parents were mostly doing manual work in the rice fields.

We have many fond memories of our visit and some ideas as to what is needed from us to sustain the school as it seeks to consolidate all the good work done in the last 2 years.

The impression of 400 vibrant, eager school children giving out a sense of joy at having the opportunity to learn made us want to ensure that there are enough classrooms to accommodate the classes and that there are sufficient funds to pay the teachers. Several of the teachers made the comment that it was a ‘happy’ school. One of the main reasons for the visit was to see what we could do to help the school in the coming months and years. We feel that we should endeavour to raise sufficient funds to at least pay for all the teachers‘ salaries throughout the year, by fund raising and by encouraging supporters to make a regular payment, preferably Gift Aided, to Sharon International Ministries. 10 people each paying £5 a month Gift Aided will pay for 1 teacher’s salary for the whole year. Please continue to pray for Sam, Yona - the headmaster, and for all the teachers and pupils.

Sheila and Tom (01494-676373)

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