Nav-Jeevan

Newsletter December 2014

On the eve of Christmas 2014, we can look back on a fantastic year for Nav-Jeevan. Although it was not always easy to keep our head above water we finally did succeed again. With thanks to our donors for their unconditional support. Thus, the children of elementary school 'Het Palet' in Den Bosch contributed more than 10.000 Euro. They brought this amount together with great enthusiasm by recruiting sponsors for a charity run on Kingsday in April. It was a fantastic event where children, parents and teachers are looking back on with pleasure. From the money raised, climbing frames for the playground and new mattresses and sheets were purchased. Due to the enormous amount that the children run together we had a budget for several months of food, medicines and school supplies.

There were nice activities, such as Brenda Incorvaia. On her 18th birthday she asked the guests to donate an amount to Nav-Jeevan instead of a gift for her. Gerard van Beijnum did the same in honour of his 65th birthday.

Together you have donated 68.000 Euro in 2014 for Nav-Jeevan. A great result.

Last month we visited the project and were impressed by the progress. The kids can make long conversations in English. Isha translates everything for the girls who do not speak English very well but still want to tell you things. When Isha (now 12 years) and her sister Saloni (now 14 years) came to Nav-Jeevan they were extremely shy. The girls did not have such a nice time before they came to us. Father was always drunk and abused mother. When Isha was two months and Saloni two years old their mother committed suicide. The father got a new wife, also an alcoholic. Together they abused the girls daily. It was a hell. In 2007, when Isha was 5 years and Saloni 7 years, an aunt brought them to Nav-Jeevan. Saloni struggles with herself and seems to be looking for attention. Because she has constantly belly pain we took her to a doctor. An ultrasound was made. I really felt in love with these girls. Waiting for the results, I was nervous, like I am for my own children when they wait for a test result. Fortunately there was nothing to worry about.
When a few months ago Saloni's teacher asked her class to write down their greatest wish, Saloni wrote that her dearest wish was to see her mother once.

The past three years, 22 children did the 10th grade exam (high school). The results were excellent. All but one of them passed the exams. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 that was respectively 4, 9 and 9 children.

• in 2012: Rajesh Parte, Vijay Raut, Ravindra Patel and Mukul Panchal.
• in 2013: Kuldeep Martin, Sunil Jadhav, Pragya Korde, Rohini Janbandhu, Deepa Chopde, Sandeep Uikey, Aniket Yadav, Geeta Gaware and Rahul Kawale.
• in 2014: Rahul Dhurve, Alka Barya. Shubham Lama, Shweta Dongre, Neetu Verma , Abishek Phule, Isha Thool, Pallavi Bansod and Rohit Mohabe.

All children are now continuing their education. Most have gone to junior college and some to vocational training.
Graduates Sunil Dhurve, Alka Barya and Rahul Dhurve have lived 10 years at Nav-Jeevan . We are very proud of them. They are going to a very different future than they thought 10 years ago. They were completely illiterate and without Nav-Jeevan they were sentenced to beg and pick rags. Because of their education they have broken the circle of poverty.

Iris Wilkinson, the spiritual mother of Nav-Jeevan. She is 84 years old and still the most important person and inspiration for Nav-Jeevan. Respected by everyone. When she arrives, everyone is silent, whether employees or children. The children are happy when they have a chat with her and when she leaves each child calls "Bye Auntie".

We had a couple of fantastic weeks on the project. When we went back home the children organised a farewell evening by themselves. Anil and Rahul alternately made speeches neatly in English. It was an evening to remember. Beautiful dancing and lots of fun.

The children and staff of Nav-Jeevan wish you Merry Christmas and all the best for 2015.

We thank you for your donations and hope you continue to support us in the future.

Top