Since our last newsletter the trustees and friends have come together and had a formal meeting. The following is a report of the things that we discussed. All future meetings of the trustees and friends will be covered in the newsletter.

MEETING 15-11-00.
Present: David Eldridge, Adele Eldridge, Kath Lawson, Stephen Lawson, Rosie Muncaster, Francis Muncaster and Ann Turner.

Newsletter: An excellent response has been generated from the August mailing, some people have taken out new covenants, and donations through gift aid have also been made. People have commented on the format as being Ôfriendly and informativeÕ, this is encouraging. Rob Ives was thanked for his work on its presentation.

Brochure: The brochure, kindly produced by Susan and Martin Sands, has continued to be of great help when introducing people to the project. We will consider the possible benefits of updating the leaflet, in October 2001, following the planned visit to Mettupalyam by David, Adele, Rosie and Francis.

Finance: The funds in hand are £ 6 500. This figure takes into account payments made for the period up until the end of January. Regular monthly contributions now amount to £277.
We are committed to sending £ 520 per month on a bi-monthly basis (69 000 rps). We aim to keep a minimum reserve of £1400, in effect six months support, when taking regular donations into account. We are filing a tax claim covering the last five years; it is hoped that this will amount to approximately £850. In the last financial year we have raised £8000. Christmas crafts have again raised £1 000Éthanks Rosie.

IRDT Project Requests: Drawing on reports from a variety of sources over a period of time, in particular from Venkat and Martin with a long term overview provided by David, targets for capital expenditure were discussed. The following additional capital expenditure has been identified and voted on (carried unanimously).

Diesel Cultivator: £1 000 . Venkat has identified this as producing yield increases of 25%, above hand cultivation. It also provides a means of income from hire charges paid by other farmers. This was a very difficult decision and was agreed after much debate. The view that bullocks might provide a better option was considered. The judgement of what was the best course in the end, it was felt, should be made by the people who live with the practicalities of the decisions taken.

Manual land- levelling board, a backpack sprayer and hand tools: £120.

Well improvement: £2 400. The well is vital to the cultivation of the land. When the land was purchased we recognised that the well would have to be re-constructed. We are now in a position to do this. The work will take place during the dry-season April-May. This is a major cost but hopefully will underpin the agricultural development that will increase the self-sufficiency of the project. This action will benefit the project and will provide labour opportunities for local people.

Farm News: Recently on the farm half an acre of both jasmine and guava and two acres of paddy have been planted. Three acres of sugar cane will be planted in January, using home produced seedlings. Venkat has opened a ÔFriends Farm AccountÕ, at the bank. Recently 45 bags of paddy were harvested and sold for £190. We now have two cows Tina and Robina, a third 'Hardwick', is about to be bought with funds raised from a Primary School in Stockton. Tina is in calf and Robina is giving 4/5 litres of milk per day. A cow now costs approximately £120. The morning milk is given to the children and the afternoon milk is sold. Now that the school is more established in its day to day running, we understand that Venkat spends the majority of his time involved in developing the agricultural side of the project.

WomenÕs Group: News has come through that the womenÕs group have independently secured a loan of £3 260. This is very exciting news. We hope that Robina Hattersley may be able to report back about this, after she returns from her January visit.

Motorbike: Venkat has always had to use initiative when sorting out transport. It is unrealistic to expect him to walk/cycle or bus everywhere. To this end Robina made a kind donation intended to purchase a bike. This has not taken place; I suspect because of a misunderstanding regards cost. When the exact situation is sorted out, we feel happy to support any reasonable additional cost a motorbike will involve, from fundraising activities. It is to be remembered in medical emergency; a motorbike could help save lives.

Anjaltchi: Anjalatchi after many years service has left the project and has married a local doctor. We hope to keep in touch with her and wish her every happiness. Venkat has made arrangements for the appropriate staffing of school.

Computer Courses: Both Venkat and Ganasoundari have expressed an interest in attending computer courses. These would be evening classes and would cost £52 per person in total. No decision was made on this item.

Next Major Capital Projects. It has been suggested that the next priority for major capital expenditure should be a lime and earth latrine of substantial size. Alternatively, several of smaller size. We have to consider this idea carefully. It is estimated that such a project will cost £1500-£2000. There is a very strong feeling amongst supporters, that the provision of basic sanitation facilities must now be viewed as a priority. We now need to research this development and hopefully with Venkat's agreement, will be able to address this issue in 2001. The other major project objective being considered is to purchase the three acres of land which we rent at present. This will cost approximately £1590. We feel that before we purchase more land, we need to analyse the way the land currently owned, is being used. There are also issues regarding the best farming practise that need to be considered. Our current investment in the well development and cultivation equipment, is aimed at enhancing the value of the land to the project. We have a lease with four years left to run, on the three acres of land in question so this is not viewed as a priority.

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