Next...

Following on from newsletter number one, for which I am indebted to Martin Sands, here is issue number two.

Venkat sent a short letter that I received at the beginning of August. Mettupalayam is now in the most stable financial position that it has ever enjoyed. IRDT(Institute for Rural Development Trust) has "no loans or debts". The land is fully paid for, as is the multi-purpose building

Venkat's son Anand is in his final year at matriculation school before he goes to college for higher studies. Ramaya, his daughter, is in grade ten with two more years of schooling to follow.

The accounts have been finalised, audited and sent to the Government of India. I have a copy of these accounts if anyone wishes to see them. They show that the UK contributions plus interest amount to £9,880 , year ending 31-03-00.

During the above year some of this money went to purchase land. The monsoon season has arrived and they are planting up a sugarcane nursery.

We have identified an area of funding that we have been failing to meet, that of supplying diesel for the irrigation pump. We now send an additional £40 per month to cover this cost, for which Venkat has expressed his thanks; "You have dealt with a major expense for us".

Our accounts are currently quite healthy. We have a balance of £5000 of which £2,500 has been identified as being available for expenditure on capital projects. Monthly payments have been paid, up to and including, November . We have approached Venkat, regarding his priorities and await his reply. We are now sending £470 per month to Mettupalayam , including diesel costs. In addition to this private support outside of Friends funds, has been obtained to allow Venkat to meet the costs of his children's further education and his life insurance policy. He is paid £60 per month and it would be impossible for him to meet his own children's basic educational needs without further support. This benefits Mettupalayam firstly because Venkat is relieved of a natural worry and a potential need to find additional employment for himself and secondly because Anand is likely in future to be able to give valuable support to the project.

The leaflet that Suisan and Martin Sands put together for us has been very well received. We have had donations amounting to £200 as a result.We have also had a new covenant request, in addition one school in York and one school in Richmond (N. Yorks) have expressed strong interest in supporting our work. If anyone would like a supply of leaflets to give to friends or potentially interested parties, please contact me.

Next...