Future Projects for 2010

There is still so much to do -- building, repairing, and sustaining the work that has already been done. We are looking forward to continuing our support of our Swamijis in their current and upcoming projects for the new year.

NEW PROJECTS for SHANTIPURI 2010

+ Rebuilding of 23 dwellings of some leper families - 15 were finished before the Monsoon started [from the flood of September 2008]

+ Now we have 7 PC used by 65 students. We need to buy 20 PC more.

+ We accepted 120 new students as sponsored children for a total of 932 sponsorships [which need to be either begun or renewed]

+ 3 Classes upgrade of the Beatrix School + 1 Library + 6 more teachers

This last project on the list has been Swami Nirvananandaji's focus for this year's tour. It is a major undertaking for the community, and a big dream. The letter below will explain it in detail:

Fr. Marian memorial High School, Puri

A DREAM

Fr. Marian was a man who dared to dream and so we take courage to dream with him. The parents of our children and we are keenly interested in raising our present school to the level of a High school named after Fr. Marian – ‘Father Marian Memorial High School’. It would be a three year project. We have not dared to venture into it only because of the large amount of money needed and which we do not have. Our proposal is to raise the present school to a High School by adding classes 8, 9 and 10. Virtually it will be a new school.

Background

Fr. Marian started Beatrix School in 1982 for the children of the leprosy patients as they could not get admission in other schools. Then it was a school of the segregated children of the leprosy patients. Now it has become a center of integration between leprosy affected people and the rest of the society. The school is known for its good academic standard and discipline.

At present the school is up to class VII. Besides, there are two classes of Kindergarten. More than 200 of the 600 children come from the leprosy affected families. Every year am average of 60 students pass class VII and struggle to find admission in high schools. These schools are very poor academically and in discipline.

Requirements

Building: We need to construct buildings to house it. We will be able to construct the buildings in the available land attached to Beatrix school. The minimum space requirements for a High school are: 3 class rooms, a Staff room, an Office room, a Visitors’ room, Science lab, Library, two store rooms and Toilets. This will be approximately about 5900 square foot area. At the present costs of construction per square foot (INR 1000/-) approximately it will cost us INR. 59,00000/- (US $125,500).

Equipments and general maintenance: We need furniture and office equipments like computer, facilities for sports & games, extracurricular activities and library- cum-Lab worth about INR. 710000/- (US $15,000).

Staff and salaries: We will need an additional staff of six teachers, one manager (secretary) one clerk, one peon and a maintenance person. Their Salaries per year would be approximately INR. 996000/- (US $21,200).

The total capital investment amounts to INR 66,10000/- (US $140,500). If about one third of this and one year’s salaries (US $68,000) are available and have hope of raising the rest gradually, we can venture into this project. If this is possible our wish is to start with class 8 in year 2010.

I know I am presenting a dream, but a dream of Fr. Marian and many children, good many of them children of the leprosy affected families. I hope you and many other friends of Fr. Marian will join us to realize this dream.

Fr. Kurian, SVD

NEW PROJECTS for

MATA ANANDAMAYI TRIPURA VIDYAPEETH 2010

Speaking of grand undertakings, the new addition to the school here at the Omkareshwar Ashram is not yet completed. Swami Mangalanandaji seems like he has been on the road touring this year more than he has been in Omkareshwar. He is currently just finishing up his European tour in his efforts to keep the new school project going. From his newsletter:

"Swami Gurusharanananda and Swami Mangalananda are nearing the end of their yearly fundraising tour for the Omkareshwar School. They are presently in London, England and have been giving many bhajan concerts, workshops and satsangs in temples, yoga centers and devotees’ homes. They will have a short stopover in Dubai for one event and return to India on the 14^th of November. We wish to thank all who have so lovingly extended their hospitality and assistance to make this tour a success."

We will continue to keep our focus on these efforts to bring the school expansion to successful completion, and we look forward to Swamiji's return in the spring!