| Dear Friends |
September 2008
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| Reaching the Unreached has a large extension programme in addition to our own very large outreach work. This we call our Satellite Programme. When we come across a trustworthy group who wish to help those in the greatest need but who do not have access to the necessary finance or planning facilities then RTU will step in and help them substantially in whatever way is needed from purchase of land to planning the necessary lay-out and with finding initial finance to start and to continue, sometimes for several years. Once this group has settled down and can stand on its own we will withdraw but sustain a good and interested relationship with them. We are aware that this is part of the ripple effect of RTU’s expertise that enables other worthy organizations to reach out themselves to those in need. The very name of our group is Reaching the Unreached and we wish to do this in any and every way needed. |
| A typical and immediate example of this is a new centre for physically and mentally handicapped children in the large town Theni, some 30km south west of our base at Kallupatti. I know that there are more than 200 such children presently cared for by a group called RUADT, run by a Mr. Murugan in this town and the areas around. The conditions in which they are now trying to help these families is really shocking. Every day the care-takers work in two very small rooms in a narrow lane. There is no running water, one small toilet, no cooking facilities, no play space. In fact no space at all, but it was the only available place for rent in the centre of the town. I was shocked by such conditions for such children; many very small and very handicapped indeed; most of them totally dependent on the mother. There and then I decided that something much more appropriate must be done without delay. Our associated charity in Britain together with a few others have provided the necessary finance amounting to £52,000. |
| And now, the new centre for these most needy of children is almost complete. It will be called Pushparani Children’s Centre. “Pushpa” is Tamil for flowers and “rani” means Queen, so Queen of Flowers: a much loved name in Tamil Nadu with many connotations. The 1½ acre site is in a forest reserve where peacocks are abundant and other small animals are safe. A large river runs around two sides of the property and it is always full. It is on a hillside and so overlooks much of Theni town four kilometres away. It is an ideal and idyllic property for the children and their caretakers. |
| Already most of the buildings are finished and I am happy to say that they are beautiful, functional and well built, keeping in mind the children who will now have a purpose-built place to spend their days, while they receive physiotherapy medical care, nutrition and so much else. There are two physiotherapy halls delightfully cheerful, airy, with wide verandahs all round. There are five smaller rooms for special care and training and two large halls for a multiplicity of purposes. The kitchen is very well appointed using only steam for cooking from a large boiler which burns only waste materials, no other fuel, no firewood, no electricity in this kitchen. A delightful open-sided auditorium has polished coconut trunks resting on carved granite bases as pillars and a large picture of Radha and Krishna on the back gaily tiled wall. This will also serve as a dining area. |
| There will be a playground of swings and other equipment suitable for these children. And nearby cottages for the staff – all in keeping with the overall appearance: terracotta roof tiles dominate everywhere and give it all its special ambience and beauty. What an enormous contrast it will all be to the present slum-like conditions. There will be a small bus to bring the children and their carers in the morning and take them home in the evening because it is a day-care centre. |
| Humanity owes to the child the best it has to give.” (Human Rights Declaration) You will agree with me that these especially deserve this “best”. Special equipment has yet to be bought and most of this will come from Delhi. In many ways Pushparani Centre will be unique and we hope a model for others in this difficult work. |
| In the latest of our introductions to RTU staff in India, the next section is written by Mrs Latha Shanmuga. She first joined RTU in 1986 as a typist, and has worked as a Tamil teacher as well as later managing one of the Children’s Villages for 7 years. She has recently been appointed as one of RTU’s three Assistant Directors. |
| I am in charge of the RTU Child Care Department, which has been rendering service to the orphaned, vulnerable, and HIV+ or AIDS-affected children all over south Tamil Nadu since 1974. At present there are 955 children and young people under RTU’s care in various caring systems like the Children’s Villages (up to 13 years), Youth Hostels (up to 17 years, both boys & girls separately); and professional career studies in outside colleges for those above 17 years. The majority of our children prefer to go on to study paramedical courses especially Diploma Nursing and ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) courses. Some have recently finished other technical ITI (Industrial Training Institute) courses. About 157 of our brought-up children are now self reliant and settled as adults. |
| From 2000 onwards we have been serving HIV+ children. Now 98 HIV+ children are in our hands; with the love & affection of our foster mothers, with good nutritive support, with medical care by our medical team, and with Bro James Kimpton’s direct vision & prayer. He is living in one of our Children’s Villages called Sirumalar, which is where all the HIV+ children live. Next to his house, 12 of our teenaged HIV+ boys are living as a big family in a newly-built Hostel. 50% of the HIV+ children are under ART (anti-retro-viral therapy) medication supplied by the Government medical department, to extend their life span. Along with this our special nutrition support, caring etc, also gives them a happy place to dwell. Siblings are put together in a family and also they have other children’s friendship. Sick children are referred to nearby hospitals; and to Jeevan Jyothi Hospice through whose generous support we are able to give adequate medical care when such children fall into severe sickness. 6 of our children are presently staying in Jeevan Jyothi for a long time. One among them “Jaya”, a 10 year old, is suffering with cancer in her left cheek (as reported in the June Newsletter). Seeing her makes us too worried, but she welcomes us pleasantly withholding all her pains. |
| In our Children’s Villages 80 widowed or deserted mothers are rendering a dedicated service for the children, together with their own biological children, in a family care system. Plenty of play materials, a play environment, and a loving home to stay all make it a living place; a loving holy place. The children have prayers each evening which they lead. They celebrate and the enjoy seasonal festivals like Diwali, Pongal, Christmas, Ramzan (Ramadan) etc., having special food and new dresses and cultural get-togethers, including dance and drama. Each Children’s Village and Hostel have their own libraries of books and video cassettes, and indoor and outdoor games materials. |
| The mothers have their own co-operative stores in each Children’s Village to buy things at a wholesale price and they buy vegetables once a week in the nearby town using our school bus. Milk powder is supplied through the general administration. Each mother has the responsibility to run their Children’s Village effectively with the help of the village’s Child Care Manager. When the children are at school, the mothers prepare foodstuffs, and do washing and cleaning. They spend at least an hour together in the auditorium, with praying and discussing concerns, eg medical and education problems with particular children, etc. The Manager can give some input and also suggestions about how to organise some particular event that is coming up. Sometimes I or Brother James will come and give some input. There is always an emphasis on discussing things together. |
| [A mother’s story:
Dhanalaxmi got married at 19, and had her first baby at 20. After 5 years together her husband died with heart problems, leaving her widowed at only age 24. So she was left with 2 young daughters, and dependent on her own parents. She had no income at all. She came to RTU and applied for a job as a foster mother, looking after her own girls. She has been with RTU for about 11 years and is currently a foster mother in Sirumalar Village. Her own children are now 14 and 11.] |
| There is a practice of honouring mothers who have given 10 years of service by awarding them a gold ring at a special meeting on the main campus. They come up in a procession; there is a band and banging of drums and everybody is clapping! They also receive a new sari and other gifts. Each mother tells about her service, and how she came to RTU, the children she has cared for, how she now feels as a mother and what she has achieved.
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| On the second Sunday each month the children’s own biological relatives are visiting them in the Villages. About 60% get visitors and the others are occupied so as not to feel left out. In their annual vacation (in May) they enjoy going to their native places to interact with relatives and people they know.
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| Every year we get 100 new children from various places and 50-60 go for professional studies. All of our children are attending our own RTU schools from pre-school to Higher Secondary level studies.
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I am happy to work here at RTU to serve as an instrument for the children’s overall development - with Brother James Kimpton’s guidance - in admissions, visiting the families and children, counselling, organising meetings, trainings, seminars and other follow-up and administrative works with the co-operation of my team.
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Shanmuga Latha.
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Next time I hope to include a report about RUADT from its Director
Mr Murugan.
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| Cordially yours, |
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| Brother James
Kimpton |
