When we were in India during July/August 2007, we set up an
infra-structure that enabled us to continue to do our development work
from here in the U.S. It is being supervised by my cousin who handles the
finances and the projects are being executed under the supervision of
three village elders. We have so far built six more houses in A.M. Kulam
and one in Kandithankulam. We have also provided two drinking water bore
wells with pumps. One of them is a hand-operated mechanical pump. The
other one, provided for a new village, Tharuvai, has an electrical pump
and storage tank. Each house costs about $ 800 and one hand-operated bore
well costs about $ 600. One of the bore wells is for the pre-school at
Kandithankulam. The children and staff of the pre-school had to walk a
long distance for all their water-needs. With this new well, the little
children will learn cleanliness and hygiene from a very young age.
Unfortunately, the pre-school is woefully underfunded and neglected by the
state government which just pays the teacher and one staff their salaries.
But, thanks to a collection of about $ 300 made by the VBS, we were able
to provide the children of the pre-school with mats and other necessities
and to spruce up the building.
We also conducted a Health Camp at the Kandithankulam Clinic on February
15 this year. As we had arranged for transport with two vans, about 300
patients came from eight area villages to get treatment for various
ailments and cataract screening. Free service was provided by a family
practice physician, one gynecologist, two dentists, and two optometrists
all of whom brought their own nurses and assistants. Our Clinic's doctor
and nurse worked with them. About a dozen patients were identified for
cataract surgery and free surgeries were arranged for them at a neighboring
hospital by our Clinic director.
We have been providing free note books, pencils and work books for all the
students in the Kandithankulam school. This year we provided the same for
the students of the A.M. School, as well. The teachers tell us that this
assistance helps the needy children and increases the school enrollment.
School uniform fabrics have become quite expensive. Hence, we have not
been able to provide them with uniforms over the past four years.
In April this year our medical mission work was expanded by the opening of
a branch clinic to serve four more villages. The resident nurse and the
part-time physician are looking after both Clinics. The building for the
branch Clinic has been rented, for now. It is sparsely furnished, and some
necessary equipment have been purchased. If it works well we may need to
make more permanent arrangements. There is no bus service in this area and
this branch clinic is providing the much needed out-reach.
It should be noted that there are no overhead costs and all the
contributions go towards this mission work. In the accompanying photos (below)
received recently from India, we see a family standing near the site of
their new house. We can see their old thatched house nearby where the
thatched roof itself serves as the walls of the house. Another photo shows
the same family in front of their new house provided by us. You can see
their old house nearby. The third photo shows our Clinic doctor, a
pediatrician, examining a sick child during the recent medical camp.
God is continuing to bless our development projects in the rural villages
in South India and we are thankful for your compassion, monetary support
and prayers.
Saro Ambrose
