A Picture Parade of the Pupils and Teachers of St. Joseph's Gitdubling

HIMALAYAN CHILDREN EDUCATION TRUST / CONTINUED

In January 2009, the Trust decided to increase its fund raising to provide money for the teachers' wages in the 3 classes in the infant department of St. Joseph's School in Gitubling.

The pupils from St Mary's go to St. Joseph's School if they are able to continue in Education after Grade 4.

St. Joseph's School, has Hostel fascilities and takes in children who have no parental support and street children, it also caters for the children in and around the market village of Gitdubling

Over the past 3 years St. Joseph's has been extending its fascilities to educate pupils from grate 7 to Grade 10, at which stage the pupils can sit the State Leaving Examinations; this has entailed alot of extra expense.New class rooms have had to be built and more specialised teachers employed.

At present the school authorities are striving to raise money for a science room and a school libary. These 2 additions are essential for the school to be recognised as a Senior Secondary School by the State Government.

The inauguration of the new Primary School building for St. Joseph's, which took place during my last visit there in December 2009.

The HCET is helping to provide books for the school libary.

The people of this Region to not have any access to a libary, at present.

Life in St. Joseph's School Hostel

The School Hostel caters for all the children who live too far away from Gitdubling, where St. Joseph's School is situated, to walk to school every day; it also provides a home for pupils who have no one to provide for them and street children from other areas. The children only go home during the school holidays, not at weekends.Some of the children are only 4 or 5 years old when they come to the hostel. The older children are very helpful and help to look after the younger ones.

Their accommodation is very basic and crowded. They do not have many personal belongings.

The boy's have a separate hostel for sleeping but all share the dining hall.

The cost of food has risen considerably over the past year: the food provided in the hostel is basic but sufficient usually, however at present Father Felix and Sr. Matida

are concerned that the children are not getting enough to eat to help them to grow healthily.

THE RESPONSE TO OUR FUND RAISING AUCTION WAS TREMENDOUS

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED OUR AUCTION ON FRIDAY 30th JULY

WE RAISED THE WONDERFUL SUM OF £1,600.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED TO ORGANISE IT

TO ALL WHO HELPED ON THE NIGHT TO MAKE IT SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS

TO ALL WHO DONATED THE ITEMS etc. FOR SALE

AND TO ALL WHO BIDDED FOR THESE ITEMS etc.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH