#sebseducation

King's School: Sebastian Computer Lab gets an upgrade

King's School asked us to help them upgrade all of their computers and we were delighted to help!

A Bright Mind: Thavaseelan

We are overjoyed for our dear Thavaseelan, a young man from Senji mottur, whose entire college and post-graduate education (Bachelor's Degree, Post Graduate Degree and MPhil!) was paid for by The Sebastian Hunter Trust. Thayaseelan visited our Director, Emma Koshi, with his certificate in hand and a big smile across his face! He received a First in his M. Phil! We are so proud of his incredible achievements.

New Seb's Projects Staff

Lenin Mark has joined The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust staff in Vellore, Tamil Nadu as  Programme Officer. Lenin has a BA in Tamil and Masters in Social Work specialising in community development. Lenin previously worked as field staff on tribal community projects among the Kolli's of Odisha. He conducts life skills workshops based on magic tricks, dancing and puppetry shows for adolescents. He plans on joining the 20 Humanitarian Clowns, an organization previously affiliated with The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust who visit orphanages, care homes for the disable, hospitals, rural schools and tribal villages around Vellore and Chennai.

Sebastian Hunter High School: Teacher's salary

For the past two years, The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust has funded the salaries for two full time teachers at the Sebastian Hunter Higher Secondary School, as the school worked towards gaining support from the Government. Schools in Tamil Nadu are usually run by the church, and since Arni is a Christian run school, the government has been slow in responding to their needs. The academic year began in July, and because of the lack in government aided funds, the teachers have not been paid for the last two months.

The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust has decided to continue to pay the salaries for these two teachers for the next year, in hopes that by the end of this academic year the government will begin to take over the payments.

If you would like to make a donation to The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust, either towards the teachers' salaries or one of our other projects please click here.

The Hindu, Sunday 17th February 2013

Three new additions to the MBKG Pannai Orphanage

Kamala is 68, and is a widow with two daughters, who are both married and unwilling to care for her.

Monica is three years old. She lost her father in a work related accident. Her mother could no longer manage to support Monica, and would have to leave Monica alone, without proper food and care, while she went off to work during the day.

MBKG Pannai Orphanage and Kings School

Six of the children who grew up at MBKG Pannai Orphanage have recently completed their university degrees and are now employed. Many of these children were able to continue their education after King's School thanks to the generous donations to the Higher Education Fund by their sponsors.

Vasanthakumar & Vendamani: admitted to MBKG at the age of three and one respectively. They are both working as a Medical Laboratory Technician at the Christian Fellowship Hospital, Odanchatram.

Stephiyal: admitted to MBKG at the age of three. Works as a Radiotherapy technician at the Christian Fellowship Hospital, Odanchatram.

Tamilarasan: admitted to MBKG at the age of four. Works as a ward aid at CMC Hospital, Vellore.

Shakila: Admitted to MBKG at the age of one. She is a registered nurse at CMC Hospital, Vellore.

Reflections on Volunteering at Kasam by Julie Bettridge

“Earlier this year I spent two months at MBKG Pannai in Kassam, volunteering at the orphanage and King’s School. The experience was one I’ll never forget and I am so looking forward to getting back out there again soon.

Being a volunteer, you become one of MBKG, living day-to-day with the children and staff, sharing meals together, engaging with the day students, playing games, helping with studies, generally being involved as a member of the team and living as part of the family. From the moment I arrived in India I was made to feel so welcome.

The accommodation for volunteers at Kasam is basic, but comfortable and private. The food is predominantly vegetarian with chicken served every Sunday, and the ingredients are all fresh and local. I personally loved the food and have been trying to coax secret recipes from Helen, the cook, ever since! Day-to-Day, I would breakfast with the children and head up to the senior school to assist in the offices or take classes. I’d never taught, or even thought about teaching before, but the children simply love the interaction with the volunteers so there’s no real pressure to impress with elaborate study plans or exercises. As long as you can speak English, you’ll be fine! In addition to the senior and junior schools, there is a nursery at the farm and the young children and babies absolutely LOVE having visitors come and play. Be warned, you will be used as a human climbing frame!