OUR 2022 BACK TO
SCHOOL APPEAL
As many of you will already
know, for the first time in two years, children in Goa will
start the academic year in June as normal. We know how happy
and excited they are, and so are we. We also know that a
decent uniform, a school bag and stationery can make all the
difference as to whether a child attends and remains in
school. At its simplest, a child is not allowed to enter
school unless they are wearing their uniform. But also,
having a decent bag and the supplies they need to carry out
their studies boosts confidence and self-esteem and
encourages attendance, as does the ability to attend school
in something as simple as decent underwear and being clean.
Helping to make all of these things possible, means it is
more likely that children feel better, do better and stay in
school longer.
We are busy making
preparations for the new school year and, as every parent
knows, costs always spike when that time comes around. It
you are lucky, a child can make do and mend with something
from the previous year. In our case, however, as children
haven't been in school for two years, the giving of the one
uniform as normal and expecting children to make use of
uniform given three years ago is plainly unrealistic. All
children need two uniforms this year which means we need so
spend around £4,000 on uniform alone. On top of this, we
need to spend around £2,000 on exercise, workbooks and
stationery, and to equip our pre-primary school with
replacement games, toys and other learning resources. We
also need to provide school bags and stationery for the
younger children who didn't receive one in March. Luckily, a
very kind-hearted lady has donated to cover the costs of
raincoats for younger children this year, but we still need
to buy umbrellas for older children and summer shoes later
in the year when the rains have gone. We would also love to
provide children with some underwear and basic toiletries so
at the very least they two decent pairs of pants which they
can change and have some help to keep clean and have a pride
in their appearance. In normal times, many of these things
would have been gifted by our lovely visitors, but with
literally a handful of visits over two years, we are left
with quite a shopping list!
Meanwhile the building of our
school extension continues apace and our aim continues to be
to build as much as we can in one go. We will face a further
spike in costs in the coming months as we furnish and equip
it. Children going back to school and the new building are
challenging financially, but they are also hugely exciting
and represent so much hope for the future. With this in
mind, we have launched our 2022 Back To School Appeal*. We
know that we already ask a lot of our supporters, but we
hope that, if you can and would like to help, you will make
a contribution to our Appeal. Please don't think a small
amount won't help. An average uniform costs £7, an umbrella
or a pair of summer shoes and socks £4, some underwear or 4
exercise books £1.
Please do help if you can.
Your small change can make such a big change in a child's
life.
* In the unlikely event that
donations exceed the costs of children's clothing, bags,
stationery and learning resources in this financial year
they will be held over to support next year's Back To School
costs
|
HOW TO DONATE
There are many ways to make a
donation as follows
|
