• From The Field
  A small team trekked through rivers, up hills and down dales to visit a couple of remote villages where our bore well team was working. One particular village’s only water source was a polluted, shallow stream, through which animals freely walk, and was used for everything – drinking, washing clothes and bathing. As a result the stream was rife with all sorts of algae, bugs and water borne diseases. Thanks to our sponsors we have been able to provide a bore well in this village so they have easy access to clean water. The government has acknowledged our well in a survey and is putting in a toilet block to assist in addressing sanitation issues. Our RDOs have imparted much needed hygiene practices and, together with the clean water from the well, there should be a significant reduction in the infant mortality rate and water borne diseases throughout the village.
  
  This village is where we hope to introduce our literacy program. Two women tutors will live in this village and teach basic literacy to all the 48 children as well as 60 children from the surrounding villages. Once this program is underway and the children are attending regularly we will be able to lobby the government to build a school in this area for the children to continue with further education. Currently there is a shortage of tutors who are willing to live and teach in these remote villages, however once this model is established we are hoping others will follow these ladies’ example and join our team.
  
  Our RDOs report that after just one month of hygiene education in a village where we have sunk a bore well, the villagers have embraced the initiatives and are already seeing an improvement in their general wellbeing. We have employed two new RDOs and presented them with their bicycles to enable them to travel to these remote villages more efficiently, as they are often up to 15 kilometres away. All our RDOs were given hygiene education materials and have provided feedback to help us develop additional materials that will assist them in the significant work they are doing.
  
  In addition to our bore wells, hygiene education and literacy program, we are looking to supply village families with at least four trees for an additional food source, shade and medicinal remedies. Such trees would include papaya, tamarind, mango, banana, a drumstick and neem.
  
  Due to indiscriminate tree logging and mining, India is now undergoing severe climate change, soil erosion and poor air quality. As a result the UN has introduced a scheme of carbon credits that provides a subsidy back to the farmers according to additional trees planted. In conjunction with our Malis (farmers) we have planned our garden and farming area to include thousands of trees for much needed shade, fruit, medicinal remedies and decoration. The government forestry authority and a local tree farmer have agreed to donate some trees, while the rest of the trees have been purchased from local suppliers thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
  
  
• Building Progress
  The Multipurpose Hall roof slab was laid with a team of over 80 labourers working tirelessly in 40-plus degree heat carrying sand, cement and water from 9am to 2:30 am the next morning! The building team was united in their desire to complete the slab before anyone knocked off. It was a testimony to the value of teamwork and their dedication to the project. The family atmosphere among the workers is wonderful and a real joy to be a part of. Sometimes at the end of a hard day’s work as they are leaving to journey home, one or two of the workers would take the time to have a kick of the soccer ball with the kids.
  
  
• Rejoice!
  During school holidays in India our kids took part in a seven-day extravaganza of fun, games, singing, dancing, painting, drama and drawing. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did all the big kids visiting from Australia and another team from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. One of the team sat and sowed buttons on all the children’s clothes, another taught games, another taught songs, yet another taught arts and crafts, and all worked together for the benefit of the children.
  This was one of the hottest summers India has experienced, so in the afternoon we took the children down to the river to cool off. It was such a wonderful sight seeing adults, boys and girls splashing, jumping and playing in the water. No one cared that the water was a typical multipurpose Indian stream and that we all started to get itchy that evening! It was worth every moment to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, and it became a regular event.
  
  
• Secure Online Donations
  To continue this life saving work we need finance, partners and supporters. You can now make a secure credit card or PayPal donation to sponsor a child or project through our website with just a few clicks. 100% of your donation goes directly India.* Donations to approved aid development activities are tax deductible.
  
  
• Jacob’s Well Foundation India
  We are also pleased to announce that our not for profit company in India has received Indian government approval for tax deductibility.
  
  
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  Cheques made payable to Jacob's Well India. Post to PO Box 680 Glen Waverley Australia 3150. On behalf of the villagers we thank you. Jacob's Well is a not-for-profit charity. ABN 65 340 113 571

 

 

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