U3A Open Monthly Meeting 15 April 2010
Chair Sylvia Henry welcomed everyone including new members to the U3A. Before introducing the speaker Sylvia announced that a new computer and projector had been purchased and plans were in place for some of the members to prepare power point presentations to be stored for future use. Ultimately the aim was to build a library. The computer could be borrowed for a certain period of time as long as the person requesting it was computer literate. Sylvia spoke of a five week computer course at the Gregson centre for anyone wishing to learn. The cost was £30.
Sylvia had been asked to say there were vacancies for members in the discussion and poetry groups and in the new creative writing and music groups. She had received preliminary notice that the subject for the Barnstaple study day in October would be “Aspects of the Law” - further details to be announced.
Sylvia then introduced the speaker Ruth Bealing, a Trustee and office Co-ordinator of 'El Shaddai Child Rescue', a non profit Charity Trust providing care for street children orphans. Ruth gave a fascinating talk. Ruth began by saying that when one thinks of holidaying in Goa one thinks of paradise with warm sea, palm trees, wonderful beaches and hotels. However there is another side to Goa. She spoke about the situation in the neighbouring State of Karnatica. Although it is an agricultural region, the lack of water in the dry season with no proper irrigation system and little transport make it a challenging environment in which to live. The women work making baskets for 50 pence a day. The men sit all day in groups talking as they struggle to find work. The water supply is very poor with many people sharing a few taps. People live in shacks and the children play in rubbish dumps, often whilst the women are washing the clothes by the well. Many of the children do not have birth certificates so are not allowed to go to school. The deprivation is severe. People go to Goa because they believe there is a good living to be made in such a hospitable climate but actually they find life only a little better than where they have come from.
It is recognised now in India that the way out of deprivation is through Education. The charity literally picks up abandoned children who have run away from abuse and have led impossible lives. They also take children whose parents are unable to provide for them and ask the charity to take them to be educated.
The Charity was started fourteen years ago by a woman called Anita who came from the Holsworthy area. She went on holiday to Goa and was so appalled at the poverty and deprivation of these lovely children that when she met with two Indian people, Matthew and Julia, they decided to set up a school in the slums. Their main aim was to give the children a childhood. Ruth showed examples of many children who have been lifted out of poverty and who now have hope through being educated. They are educated in English. Most of the children belong to the untouchable caste so the teachers work to try to build their self esteem and instil hope for their future as equal citizens. In the slum areas they run community day centres, give them a nourishing midday meal and the opportunity for a bath, clothing and medical care. The centre runs a “Meals on Wheels” scheme and the children in the area know that when the sun is at its highest point in the sky they can come and get a meal for 14p.
A new 'Home' has now been inaugurated for children with life-limiting illnesses such as HIV where they can live and receive the necessary medical care during their short lives and there are many money generating projects like keeping goats, basket making etc. In the future it is hoped to set up a Fair Trade project- a very important hope. Ruth said that without the input of a charity like El Shaddai Street Rescue there is little hope for those childrens' future and it is wonderful to hear how grateful the children are for the help they are receiving.
It is wonderful also that one lady from Devon , Anita, with the help of two young Indians, set up such an amazing charity and that they have achieved so much in fourteen years. Ruth was thanked warmly for her excellent delivery of a very interesting talk and the audience left for home with considerable 'food for thought'!
The Headquarters of the El Shaddai Charitable Trust Ltd. is at 5 Manor Court, Victoria Square, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6AA
Their website is www.childrescue.net
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