acts of hope BRINGING HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY BRINGING HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY news update Spring 2010. NEWS FROM THE ED, As we approach the end of our 9th year at the Acts of Hope School in Kasvanahalli, we have much to be grateful for over the past 12 months. A year that has seen tremendous growth with some very interesting new developments. The school has continued to be a real blessing, with excellent progress being made by the children, who have performed above all expectations in and out of school activities. They have excelled in inter school competitions, often walking away with the first or second prizes against much larger fee paying schools. Much of the credit must go to the faithful teaching staff, who on a daily basis, teach and encourage the children with care and compassion. Over the past year, we have been very fortunate in having a number of visitors volunteering their time at the school, helping and teaching the children. This has been an enormous benefit to both the children and the volunteers, also playing an important part in the success of the school. I would add, most of the children now speak better English that one would get form the many call centres based in Bangalore and throughout India. Acts of Hope have been very fortunate in the support of several corporate companies. In October 2009, deutsche Bank in Bangalore, provided note books, pens, pencils, maths sets and many other items that will be used in the classroom by the youngsters, then in February 2010 they equipped our first small science laboratory at the school. We are beginning to develop a long term relationship and are looking at funding for a new primary school on a new site. This will go alongside the planned new secondary school. Our relationship with an international investment banker continues to bear fruit with the introduction of a mentoring program that began in November 2009. This involved 12 volunteers from that company mentoring 16 of our children on a fortnightly basis. They are helping the mentee in their personal development, identifying their aims in life, encouragement with their school work and development of the skills and gifts. Acts of Hope are also grateful for the support of British Airways, who generously donate several return flights a year to us. This helps our Executive Director, Peter Willetts, to oversee the development of, not only our school in Bangalore, but the new school, church and Pastors in Andhra Pradesh, working closely with Kishore and the Indian trustees of Acts of Hope India. Most of all, without the support of our many UK supporters, we would not be able to offer a free and high standard of education to the 400+ poor and underprivileged children at our two schools in India. Acts of Hope thank everyone for your continued support and prayers for our work. Peter Willetts. Executive Director. Krishnaya Palem Project. Over the pats year acts of Hope have been supporting a rural school in Krishanaya Palem in Andhra Pradesh. When we became involved they had no funds, no school buildings and all too often the children having to return to the fields to work. Many of the children were under 10 years of age. Acts of Hope are funding the school, providing the salaries of the three teachers, this means that the children can now stay in school and not have to return to the fields. We have also become involved in the community by providing funds to constructing a church for the surrounding villages and supporting the ministry of ten Pastors. In the coming years Acts of Hope trust they will be able to extend their work in this area, providing education for more children and support of the local communities. How can you help? Individual Child sponsorship. Regular monthly covenant. Would you like a Presentation:- • Are you a teacher? • Can I come and speak to the school? • Your local Church or Home group. • Your Youth Group. • Your local club – Lions,Rotary, Football or tennis club etc. Contact details: Peter Willetts, Executive Director. Acts of Hope Charitable Trust. 35 Jackson Court, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, HP15 7TZ Telephone: 01494 819912 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.actsofhope.org.uk Registered Charity: 1080001. NEWS LETTER 03-2010:AOH 0309 08/03/2010 14:55 Page 1