INTRODUCTION -
JUNE 2014
As we sent out our
newsletter this time last year we were full of
anticipation. The Authorities in Goa had
approved the opening of pre-primary schools and
afternoon tuition centres at both Mango House
and Chimbel. As the current issue goes out we
can reflect on the fact that we have completed
our first glorious academic year. School going
children faced their exams in April and are
enjoying the last few days of freedom before the
new school year starts and as you will read
below our Upper Kindergarten children have
graduated from pre-primary school. They are
ready and equipped to join primary school and
will join us for lunch and tuition after school.
We look back on the last
twelve months with an enormous sense of pride and can only
applaud all those involved in supporting around 350 children
Monday to Friday at our Mango House, Chimbel and Colva
projects. We are also really excited to hear that all places
at our afternoon classes for the coming year are full, the
pre-primary at Chimbel is full and only a few places remain
at Mango House.
CAN YOU
HELP?
On a less happy note we also
completed our accounting year on 31st March. Our accounts
have yet to be independently examined but it is clear that
our annual income is significantly short of the amount
required to fund all our projects each year. We don’t want
to lose any of our projects and we recognise we have to do
better to avoid this. We have many wonderful supporters and
we hope to gain more as our reputation for good, honest work
spreads. Meanwhile if you have any fundraising suggestions
or can support us yourself please let us know. Please don’t
think what you could do isn’t worth it – if you could spare
just £2 per month, with Gift Aid that’s £30 a year which
could provide four school bags, six uniforms or around 120
meals. Read more about the ways you could help
here (and some of them won’t cost you a penny!).
END OF YEAR PHOTOS AT CHIMBEL
As the first school year at Chimbel drew to a close it was
decided to mark the occasion with some formal photos of all
those attending. From three tiny rooms over 150 children are
supported Monday through Friday with either pre-primary
schooling or tuition classes which help children with their
school work. It’s a simple project that makes all the
difference to the children being supported. As you can see
one little girl found the idea of a serious photo just too
funny! Click
here
to see the gallery. HOW
WE CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS
At the end of each month Mango House holds a party to
celebrate all the birthdays falling in the month. They are
always a joyful event and our March party was no exception.
First those lucky to be chosen performed a dance routine.
Then came Pass the Parcel. Our staff and visitors then gave
out birthday presents and rewards for good attendance before
a special Birthday Cake, donated by friends, was cut and the
children sang Happy Birthday. Cake and ice-cream followed
before the dancing began in earnest. Finally we played
musical statues and we have to report the children got the
better of us and could not be made to move. Before leaving
all the children were treated to a bag of crisps courtesy of
another friend. As always – a great afternoon. See our
gallery
here.
THANK
YOU TO THE HERROD FOUNDATION
We are delighted to announce that the Herrod Foundation
has again supported Mango Tree this year. The Foundation’s
donation goes a long way towards feeding children at Mango
House – without it we simply couldn’t continue to do so. A
nutritious meal and fruit daily help to ensure children
develop and can concentrate on their studies and we really
do thank the Foundation for their vital contribution.
OUR
BACK TO SCHOOL APPEAL 1st-14th APRIL
During the first couple of weeks of April we held a back
to school appeal to help with the costs of providing school
uniform and bags for the new school year in June. We were
very pleased to announce that we raised over £800 which
increases to £1,000 with Gift Aid Added. We intend to hold
the appeal each April in future so if you can pass the
message on to anyone who might be able to help we would
really appreciate it.
THE GRAND EASTER EGG HUNT
Mango House celebrates the major festivals of all religions.
As part of our Easter celebrations we held an Easter Egg
Hunt on Easter Monday. The pre-primary children colourfully
painted eggs which the Easter Bunnies secretly hid around
the garden in readiness for the afternoon session. After
lunch a long and thrilling search took place before all of
the eggs could be located. Prizes were awarded for the most
eggs found and a special prize given to the finder of the
Golden Egg. It was a really fun way to celebrate Easter.
POST
EXAM OUTING
Once all schools in the area finally closed for the long
summer holidays we thought it was time to let off steam with
an outing for all the Mango House children who hadn’t headed
back to their villages. We made a trip to a farm at Bironda
where we had a lovely afternoon with a riverside picnic and
a lot of fun cooling off in the river.
BACK TO SCHOOL PREPARATIONS
In addition to the children at our projects at Mango House,
Chimbel and Colva we work with local schools to identify
children who are badly in need of school uniforms and
supplies. At the beginning of April local schools arranged
for those children and a parent to attend Mango House in
order to apply for a uniform and bag. The team made a brief
record of the children and their background. Most were so
obviously in need it was decided to ask the tailor to attend
and collect measurements at the same time. The last step was
a home visit to confirm the information collected. Almost
all the children were assessed as being in need of support
and could look forward to starting the new year equipped to
succeed.
READY FOR SCHOOL
Our Ready For School gallery captures our Upper Kindergarten
who will join outside schools from June. You can see the
many ways that Mango Tree provided children with essential
skills to make the transition to “big” school possible. The
children learnt to sit still, to respect and pay attention
to teacher, to use a slate and hold a pencil to write and
draw. They can count and write the alphabets in both English
and Marathi. They can eat independently and use a toilet.
They have socialised with lots of children and know to
cooperate and share with their class mates. They know
there’s a time to be serious and when it’s time for fun to
go for it. They are creative and curious. Who knows what
will become of our Class of 2014 but thanks to all those who
support Mango Tree they have a real chance of a brighter
future. See our gallery set
here.
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REWARDING GOOD ATTENDANCE
We know that, despite their best
efforts, not all children can excel at school. We therefore
reward good attendance too. Seen here are the children with
the best attendance who chose a meal at a local restaurant
as their reward and a lolly at the local shop before heading
back to Mango House.
ANNETTE GRACE STEPS DOWN
At the end of March Annette stood down from her position as
a UK Trustee. As a Founding Trustee Annette helped ensure
Mango Tree has a solid foundation on which we can build in
years to come. We sincerely thank Annette for her hard work
and hope she will always be a part of Mango Tree. On leaving
Annette was looking forward to spending more time being a
grandma. We wish her all the very best for the future
THANK YOU JACOB & MARY
We were delighted to
finally meet Jacob and Mary and say thank you in
person for the fundraising they have done to
support Mango Tree. The couple are based in
Australia and arranged a series of bootcamps
through their fitness company, Leafit, to raise
funds. Not only did they take the trouble to
visit us but they entertained the children with
several activities and kitted out all the girls
and boys attending in the afternoon with a T
shirt too.
BANGHRA FEVER AT THE APPLE BALL
We were very privileged to be
chosen to be one of the charities benefiting from the Apple
Ball which took place at the Glasgow Hilton on 3rd May. The
ball takes place each year thanks to Sanjay Majhu, CEO of
Apple Harlequin Group, and his wife Jiggy. Read about the
amazing evening
here.
HOLI AT MANGO HOUSE
Although Mango House officially
closes for the Holi holiday all children who aren’t
celebrating at home are invited to join with us to
celebrate. As you can see we had a lot of fun! Click
here to see our gallery.
CONGRATULATIONS, LISA AND NICCOLO
We sent our hearty congratulations to Lisa &Niccolo on
the occasion of their marriage. This generous couple
honoured us by inviting guests to help them celebrate by
making a donation to Mango Tree. We say a huge thank you and
hope to see the happy couple at Mango House soon.
NEW
MANGO TREE TRUST GALLERY
As Mango House completed its first full academic
year we thought it was time to update our Mango
Tree Trust gallery. The gallery aims to showcase
all of the activities that Mango House conducts.
Take a look
here.
FAREWELL PAT AUNTIE
At the end of March we said farewell to Pat who
volunteered with Mango Tree for five months. Pat
did so many lovely activities with the children
which brightened up their days and she will
really be missed. We say a huge thank you and
hope to see her back at Mango House again.
MIND REWIND II
We are thrilled to report that over £1,600 was
donated from the proceeds of the Mind Rewind II
CD. It’s such a kind thing that those concerned
ensure disadvantaged children in Goa benefit
from the release of music from the scene in Goa
and we really do appreciate it. Our thanks to
all of those involved in the project.
SCHOOL BAG PREPARATION
Unlike most educational establishments in Goa
Mango House closes for just two weeks during the
long school holidays. Far from being a time of
rest, all the staff have been very busy
preparing for the new School Year. Savita had a
very successful time in Mumbai chasing the best
prices possible for our school bags and school
supplies. On her return the team took advantage
of the peace in the House to pack the bags so
they would be ready for the beginning of term in
June.
BABY PACKS GIVEN OUT
We were very lucky to receive many baby items at
Mango House this season. These were sorted into
packs suitable for either a boy or girl and used
to reward our Mum’s who give birth in hospital
and gain the very important birth certificate.
During March we were also able to give baby
items for children in the Obra de Protecao a
Mulher Shelter Home and the Don Bosco Margaret
Bal Sadan shelter home for boys. The packs were
really welcomed at both places and we were glad
to have been able to offer some help. |
