• Rejoice!
  During the school holidays 60 kids and a few adults boarded a bus and headed for the hills! The destination was Deomali, the highest point in the state of Orissa at 1672 metres above sea level. There was much excitement onboard as we went through familiar villages and a big town market bustling with activity. The bus climbed and climbed up the winding road to the summit where we ate a picnic lunch of rice, dahl and vegetable curry, all wrapped up in a leaf bundle that became the plate.
  
  Many of the children had never seen a slide, monkey bars or climbing equipment before but it didn’t take them long to be skylarking and mucking around just as kids do everywhere. They had so much fun we are now hoping to provide similar equipment at Rejoice.
  
  August 15 was Indian Independence Day and according to reports everyone had a great day playing many games like running, skipping, musical chairs and taking part in a song competition.
  
  
• Sowing the Seed
  Our tutors are a vital part of life at Rejoice. They are involved in every aspect of the children’s education, accompanying them on excursions and joining in after school activities. Every morning they assist the children with their homework and studies, teaching English, drama, dance, singing and drumming. They are great role models.
  
  Sangram, one of our tutors, believes the most important part of his role is to help each child be a good person. He loves to play soccer and cricket with the children, and sometimes has some mischievous fun with them. One day recently a girl was having an afternoon nap, and when she awoke he said good morning to her. So she walked bleary-eyed into the bathroom to get her toothbrush, thinking it was morning! When it ‘dawned’ on her it was in fact afternoon, they shared a good laugh.
  
  Sangram has seen a noticeable improvement in each child’s learning capabilities since coming to Rejoice, especially in their reading, writing and comprehension. He sometimes tests the children by saying something incorrect, but they are now very quick to point out his error.
  
  At Rejoice we identify each child’s unique talents and help to develop those skills. Some of the children will become teachers, some will go on to higher education and others will go back to their village and put into practice all they have learnt for the betterment of their community.
  
  Jacob’s Well hopes to build a trade school to teach skills such as textiles, arts and crafts, bicycle and auto repairs and nursing. Education is vital to help break the poverty cycle.
  
  
• Sponsors Needed
  At Rejoice we have several new children in need of sponsorship. Children like ‘B’, an orphaned girl. Three years ago her father accidentally drowned while fishing, and two years ago her mother died of unknown causes. ‘M’, an orphan boy, whose alcoholic father died four years ago and whose mother died two years ago, was staying with an aunt who can no longer care for him. There are over 1000 orphans in one district alone, so the need for sponsors is great.
  
  
• Jacob's Well Fun Filled Trivia & Games Night
  Accept the Jacob’s Well Trivia challenge and help break the poverty cycle! When: Friday 11th Septemberl 2009, 7pm Where: Melbourne Bowls Club, 138 Union Street, Windsor 3181 Cost: $10 per head. BYO snacks and lots of gold coins for additional games and raffle tickets. Drinks at bar prices. Bookings: Katheryn: 0414 278 696 or fundraising@jacobswell.org.au
  
  
• The Work Continues
  Even though the wet season is in full swing, building work continues. Our multipurpose hall is now in the finishing stages of rendering, fittings and painting both exterior and interior. The children will have their meals in this hall, which will also serve as a much needed facility for vocational skills training and seminars. Our stage three and four building fund target is AUD $200,000, which includes a school and accommodation. We have a long way to go, but all it takes is one brick at a time. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the first floor of the multipurpose hall is nearing completion. Every donation helps make a difference!
  
  
• Secure Online Donations
  You can now make a donation, sponsor a child or sponsor a project securely – and free of bank fees - through PayPal on our website with just a few clicks. You can also use your credit card, however this will incur bank fees. Go to http://www.jacobswell.org.au 100% of your donation goes directly India.* Donations to approved aid development activities are tax deductible.
  
  
• Print Version
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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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