Nav-Jeevan

Newsletter December 2016

In 2016, we have grown to a school with 345 children of whom 250 live in the hostel. The maximum number seems really achieved. We have no more sleeping facilities. The only way we can create more is to build a big boys dormitory above the large girls' dormitory. We are waiting for our license. Once it is in, we start building. Godert van Buren of the Calder Holding has already pledged a financial contribution to this project.

2016 was the year when our first students started in Class 11. Our school, Dr. TS Wilkinson Memorial School, was granted recognition as a junior college last year. At the end of the school year 2017-2018 we hope to congratulate the first students with a high school diploma (up to and including class 12).

2016 was also the year in which the number of tribal children increased from 111 to 165. Because we also receive a contribution of the Indian Goverment for these pupils, we no longer depend entirely on donations. In October, we visited the project. It was incredible to see how the tribal children have adjusted. They are indistinguishable from the other children.

In 2016, we received a contribution of 15.000 euros for meals, learning materials and uniforms from the Advocacy Foundation for the (very) young child. For 2017 the same amount has been awarded.

Of the city of Den Bosch, we received a grant for drilling a second water source and purchasing a pump. In 2005, we drilled our first ground water. The past year this provision was found to be inadequate and we had to buy water tanks of the municipality to supplement this deficiency. So this was a temporary and expensive solution. Furthermore, the city of Den Bosch financed the expansion of the kitchen. The kitchen was too small to cook for so many mouths. This has now been solved by pulling the current food storage from the kitchen and build a new storage area behind the kitchen.

The newly built storage

 

During our visit two brothers of my adopted daughter Maya were married. We took some older orphans with us. These children are almost never outside the building, even not during the holidays. When other children go home or to relatives they remain on the project.
Saloni, Isha, Simran, Sejal, Swati, Yash, Bhawna and Anil experienced the day of their lives. With a chartered bus we left for a two hours drive to the village. What fun they had together with my grandchildren Floris, Maya and Esmee.

 

Swati, Yash, Anil,Simran, Saloni, Sejal

The girls love to watch photos and videos from previous years in our room

De sisters Isha and Saoloni

Isha and Saloni in 2007

In 2007 Saloni and Isha came to us, two little sisters. They're great girls. Isha is 14 years old and is in grade 9, Saloni is 16 years old and is in grade 10. Isha and Saloni have no parents. There is still an aunt where they were going during the holidays until last year. When Saloni's school performance declined last year we found out that the children were not safe with the aunt and her boyfriend. We promised Saloni and Isha they no longer had to go to their aunt during the holidays. Saloni is expected to get her high school diploma this school year. I love these two girls.

Isha now

Saloni now

The little ones enjoy themselves

and the big ones socialize with each other

We thank all our supporters and hope you continue to support us in the future. Special thanks to the Calder Holding who doubles every euro its staff donates as early as 2003.

Together, you donated more than 60.000 euros in 2016. A great result.

On behalf of the children of Nav-Jeevan we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017.