“Ineke has found peace of heart in Vrindavan. Here, she is quite happy to see about 1500 kids engaged in studying and playing.” Says the article and it is definitely true, Ineke herself explains she takes the photographs of the kids to show their condition to the world. Thus, supporting FFLV’s project and helping inform in a larger scale, as she’s done on her website, where she points out we are a project close to her heart.

To read the article on BBC, please click here

To see Ineke’s pictures of the SMS children, please click here

Two years later, Dianne has been awarded with the second place by the University of Florida International Center at the International K-12 Teacher of the Year Award, which acknowledge international efforts done by teachers, stimulating and also promoting them to engage in further scholar activities around the globe. This gives the students the opportunity, not only to help them engage further more into their studies, but also become interested in the community’s, nation’s and the world’s issues.

The “Read to Feed, with a Penny per Page” project not only encourages students to read more, but it also creates funds to donate money to SMS.

To read more about the International K-12 Teacher of the Year Award, please go to:

http://news.ufl.edu/2012/05/11/international-awards/

While on one hand where the heat is raging here in Vrindavan, slowing down everything, Food for Life’s Social Development team is defeating the summers with their firm determination to make a difference!

On May 1^st, 2012, Food for Life Vrindavan started a new training course for about 50 adolescent girls in basic sewing skills. 25 of the girls are from Sandipani Muni School and other 25 are from different parts of Vrindavan. The training takes place from 9 am to 11 am every working day (Monday-Saturday) and will go on for the coming 3 months. After the successful completion of this training, these girls will be given a certificate from the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Tattva Darshini, the supervisor of the training and embroidery centre at Food for Life Vrindavan, seemed very excited about this new project. She mentioned that there is no other centre in the whole of Mathura-Vrindavan where women are trained in sewing and embroidery as this profession is mainly male dominated. She also said that they would be starting with the embroidery camp soon too.

When asked about the scope of learning this, Tattva said, “Whoever wants to learn, we will teach you, this will help you in the future, you can go anywhere in the world after learning and the skill will go with you. “

Tattva Darshini has been working for Food for Life Vrindavan for the past 11 years in this field. She also goes weekly to the surrounding villages to encourage people in the area to become a part of the self-help groups. Currently she is running about 7 self-help groups.

(From the left) Mr Rajendra, Anusuiya(11th grade), and Mr Sunil

On the 28^th of April 2012, after much suspense, the results for annual examinations were announced.  The children were nervous yet excited. This year the children of Sandipani Muni beat the past years’ scores and the result was 92%!!

Along with the academic awards, the students were also awarded on the basis of their attendance and behavior. The best student awards from the Primary school was given to Arpita(1^st c) and Jyoti(3b). Both of them scored 100% marks. in their academics. From the secondary school, Pinkey(7^th a) and Anusuyia (11^th ) were awarded as the best students. Anusuyia was also awarded 100% attendance award.

When we spoke with Mr Rajendra Singh, the principal of the school about the result, this is what he had to say, “This year the result is much better than the previous year, the only children who couldn’t clear the exams were mostly the ones who did not take the exams.”

Mr Seemanth Sharma, the principal of the primary school added, “The results have been constantly improving each year, it shows the increasing inclination of the children to study”

This year the most remarkable thing was that the results very close and a spirit of competition was seen amongst the kids. A lot of children were awarded 100% attendance award and all of them were girls.

Hiten Shah

Hiten Shah lives in the UK with his wife Jenny and 4-year-old daughter Simran; they are expecting their second child in October. His family means the world to Hiten, but he was willing to leave them behind and spend 18 days in painful, freezing conditions in the Himalayas to trek to Everest Base Camp in February, to raise money for Sandipani Muni School children. Previously, he took part in a charity run and raised more than GBP 1,000 for SMS; this time, the amount raised was GBP 6,121. He was accompanied by three friends, each of whom raised money for different charities.

Hiten told us that he had been ambivalent about supporting charities in the past because he felt that too much of their income was spent on administration. But seeing a presentation about SMS in London a few years ago convinced him that any money donated to this school goes to those who really need it. Hearing about the difficulties faced by SMS students made him realize how fortunate he was to be able to provide so much for his own daughter. By raising money for SMS, he wished to help less fortunate girls to have an education and establish a career to support themselves. Being of Indian descent, he also wanted to offer something to the people of his country of origin.

In preparation for the trek, he carried out rigorous training for 8 months. The 18 day trip itself involved 13 days trekking with around 8 hours spent climbing daily. However, it was not these hardships that Hiten found most difficult to deal with. The hardest part, he says, was being separated from his loved ones for so long. Sometimes, they could not even communicate for days. He only found out three weeks before leaving that they were expecting another baby, and then both Jenny and Simran fell ill, which even made him consider cancelling the trek. However, Jenny was very supportive of his effort throughout, and they both agreed that the trip should go ahead.

Hiten after the successful climb

Hiten celebrated his 40^th birthday during the trek, away from his family, but felt really pleased that he managed to achieve his goal to help improve the lives of so many children. Sandipani Muni School students are very grateful to Hiten for his initiative and effort; for Jenny who helped and supported him; and for all those people who generously donated their hard earned money for the cause.

Peter Burwash and his daughter Skyler, both long-standing supporters of Food For Life Vrindavan, visited Vrindavan between 18-25th February. Their friend David accompanied them. Staff and children at Sandipani Muni School were excited to welcome them all on their 12th visit to the city. Mr. Burwash, a former professional tennis champion, is a well-known speaker and author of 10 books on topics such as personal development, service and leadership. He has a special interest in education and young people; one of his books, ‘Dear Teenager – Navigating the Turbulent Years’, was written with the aim of giving teens the skills for developing the building blocks of character and the foundation for a successful life.

During their time spent in Vrindavan, the visitors were keen to see the progress of Sandipani Muni School and the recently opened campus in Kiki Nangla. They observed the food distribution program in action, and saw dance and karate performances by the students. They spent a few days discovering the towns and villages these students hail from. Among other places, they traveled to Ramtaal, a neighboring village. There they spent time with local women who were very curious about the visitors and asked them many questions about the life in their country. The exchange was a unique and inspiring experience for everyone.

The teachers and the staff at Sandipani Muni School had the opportunity to take part in a training session conducted by Mr. Burwash. He talked about the importance of appreciation, recognition and creative freedom while teaching and working at the school. The staff members highly appreciated Mr. Burwash sharing his time and ideas with them. Peter and Skyler Burwash have provided constant financial and inspirational support for Food For Life Vrindavan for the last several years, helping to make the organization what it is today. We will fondly remember the time they spent with us, and hope that FFLV’s relationship with Mr. Burwash and his family will continue to flourish in the future.

International stresses of sustainably feeding the future populations of 9 billion are causing new strategic ideas to emerge and current successes to be celebrated.  The recent Cornell University study implemented during January 2012 at Food for Life-Vrindavan seeks to achieve both objectives of providing additional ideas for improvement in addition to celebrating the incredible and successful operations changing the tide of child malnutrition in Northern India.

In January 2012, Cornell University master’s student, Amy Nichols, with a team of 12 students arrived from five different universities spanning the globe. Students implemented a food security model created after a FFLV analysis conducted in January 2011. The model first analyzes current nutrition levels in Food for Life students emphasizing Anemia. Second, students presented a 4-H Nutrition program including both Square Foot Gardening (which can be implemented in both rural and urban areas) and Nutrition courses that empowers youth to take responsibility for their health and actions (Program allows student to take an active role in their community and in their on health, project will set up opportunities to work with US students as well).  Finally, this model is using the soil analysis conducted by Amy Nichols in 2011, and providing recommendations for improving crop production on the successful organic farm at Food for Life-Vrindavan. 

The Project Leader Amy Nichols said, “The intent of the project is to provide additional programs to aid Food for Life students in total food security through improved nutrition in addition to celebrating the incredible success at Food for Life-Vrindavan and the number of lives changed for the better due to its amazing organization“.

2012 New Year Gift pack items

After days of packing and preparations, when the Food For Life Vrindavan team set out for the New Year gift distribution 2012 and entered the villages, thousands of cute little faces lit up seeing their gifts arrive. While some waited in anticipation to receive their gifts, many started chasing the vehicle that carried the gifts to be the first one in the row. Food for Life Vrindavan successfully carried out their 16^th year of Gift Distribution, this time distributing a total of 5,000 gift packs! It is hard to put to words how we felt to see little twinkling faces burrowed deep into their gift bags, counting their precious possessions, but some of our volunteers who participated in the distribution shared their experiences.

Here is what they had to say:

Julie Hawke: “I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had to experience Food for Life extend their hand in community development giving New Years packages to surrounding villages. I am continually impressed by the reach of their influence. The look on the faces of the kids as they pulled out their toothbrushes, beanies, and especially chocolate treats was priceless. My favorite part was watching the girls receive their gift covering their mouth with their hand to conceal the smile, but after walking past the adults, breaking into a run smiling from ear to ear to join their friends. Because these packages were only given to school children, I saw the longing for the other village kids and their parents to receive the same—the gift, but more importantly, an education. Touring the schools had already left me awe inspired at the number of children they can take care of, but the villages left me equally aware of how many more are in need and what I myself can do to help.”

Monique Mullenaux: “To see the most pure joy on children’s faces as they receive gifts that would not typically be expected or even hoped for, has been an unforgettable experience. In preparation to coming to this school for a short stay, a friend of mine had donated substantially to this New Years packages project. As I was able to hand out these gifts to the children, it was a rare opportunity to experience the connection between donating from home all the way to giving the kids these bags. It made me realize that ever little bit helps. As is often said, we cannot make a difference to everyone but we can make a difference to someone. Looking into the big brown eyes and huge smiles of these children, I was struck by their individuality and realized how true this is. I would repeat this experience a million times over and wish everyone could have lived this experience.”

Ciera Sypherd: “First day here in India and I am in love. These kids have so little and to see the pure joy and love in their eyes as they received these simple gifts was heart warming.  I had no idea what the children were saying but they continued to try to tell me things, with wide eyes and ear to ear grins! It was so cute! But even with the language barrier I knew they were expressing their gratitude and excitement from the New Year’s gifts.” 

Morgan Shaver: “Delivering the New Year’s gifts to local schools was a blessing in more ways than one. Of course, the most warming blessing of the experience was the priceless and numerous amounts of smiles that the children wore proudly. Another blessing of this experience was being able to be apart of the vast amount of giving that Food for Life does constantly. The final blessing that I observed during this experience was seeing how much one organization can do. Food for Life not only has built and maintained a fantastic program but selflessly gives to other schools that aren’t as fortunate as themselves.”

FFLV New Year Gift Festival has been going on for the last 15 years. Thousands of very poor children every year on the first of January receive a gift pack from us. Last year we did 4,800 gift packs, and that was a very difficult year, this year we hope we can do better.

It cost US$ 5 for a gift pack, which includes school bag, pencil box, toothbrush and toothpaste, a toy or ball, chocolate, toffees and biscuit, a woolly hat for the coming winter and some hope…

It is this time of the year again when we call upon you to help us gift smiles to Vrindavan’s poorest children.

During this festive period, giving is on everyone’s mind, making someone happy is a treasure to share. Yes times are tough, a little extra sacrifice towards our fellow man will bring auspiciousness in our lives, remember giving is receiving, specially when your recipient is a poor Brajasi girl. It is only five Dollars per gift pack.

Send in your contribution today and please forward this message to your near and dear ones. We are confident we can do it again this year.

December 29^th, we began distribution of New Year Gifts to Vrindavan children.

December 30^th.
We continue distribution of New Year Gifts. Today we went out to distribute gifts to students of the village schools around Vrindavan.

The final stage of the 2012 New Year Gift Festival – distribution of gift packs to Sandipani Muni School Students took place on the last day of the year – December 31^st.

Please, click here to see photos from gifts distribution…

2012 New Year Gift pack items

Just remember these children have never seen a gift in their lives. You could be the fortunate soul to gift them a big smile. We will also be posting updates on progress and way for donating. On behalf of Vrindavan’s children we wish you a wonderful end of year 2011 and may the Lord give you strength and endurance to leap forward in 2012.

Please download the slide show now and forward to your friends, we still have a long way to go and little time left.

Your Servant
Rupa Raghunath Das

From the left Nikitta Thacker(Student), Connor Franklin(Student), Anoop Watts(Project Leader, The Discovery Academy), Rupa Raghunath Das(International Coordinator FFLV), Jayne Hewitt(Teacher, The Discovery Academy) and Colette Edwards(Student)

On December 8^th 2011, the partnership between The Discovery Academy and Sandipani Muni School took another step ahead when three students and two teachers arrived in Vrindavan. They attended the morning program next day have just begun their exploration. On July the 13^th, 2011, four students and three members of the staff had visited the schools in the UK. This twinning project began during the summer of 2008 and has gone from strength to strength over the past three years. The purpose of starting this project was to give students from both schools the opportunity to learn about globalization and diversity.

During the visits teachers and students from both schools have had the opportunity to experience life in the UK and India.

Colette Edwards

 “This is my second time in India and I love it more and more every minute that I am here. When visiting Sandipani Muni School, I really enjoy watching all of the children and seeing how happy they are even though materially they do not have much. These children are a true inspiration  and make me realize how lucky I really am” : Colette Edwards, Student, The Discovery Academy.

In the year 2012, two teachers and three students from SMS will again have a chance to visit the school in the UK. The names of the students and teachers are yet to be finalized.