An update from the Bethesda Life Centre! Visit to Bal Bhavan

The children had the privilege to use the facilities of Bal Bhavan during the Diwali vacation. They were given the opportunity to learn the creative skills of clay modelling and craft-making, Western music such as the guitar and the Indian Harmonium. They were able to explore the library facilities and learn invaluable computer skills. The staff of Bal Bhavan went all out to ensure the two days spent at the facility were ap-preciated whole-heartedly by the children.

Supporting the Bethesda Life Centre, Goa

James 1 v 27: “When women and children are in distress, take care of them”

2008-February 2009

Could you sponsor a child?

You can meet the needs of a child at the Bethesda

Life Centre for just £15-£20 a month

BLC are presently caring for 35 girls and 55 boys. They are waiting for another 15 new ad-missions this month. The BLC are also provid-ing medical treatment, groceries and support for over 60 HIV affected men, women and chil-dren. We would like to thank all our sponsors for their continued love and support.

Anniversary Celebration October 2nd 2008 marked the 7th Anniversary of the Bethesda Life Centre. This day coincided with the birthday of Beena Martin, the homes’ director and also Mahatma Gandhi. The day started with the cleanliness drive organised by a group of children from the home. The area around the church and the market of Santa Cruz was cleaned, giving people awareness of cleanliness and hygiene. In the evening, the children performed a concert of music, songs and dancing. Special guests of the evening were Mr and Mrs Francisco Sardinha (Member of Parliament, Goa) and Mr Victor Gonsalves (Ex-MLA, St. Cruz). The event was covered by TV channels HCN and Goa 365 and the news-paper Navhind Times as well as the Herald and Gomantak Times.

World Aids Day

World AIDS Day was commemorated by Bethesda Life Centre on December 6th 2008. Around 70 HIV affected men, women and children gathered at the BLC premises at St. Cruz at 10am. The pro-gramme started with a welcome speech by Mr Martin Philip, the Director. Songs and dances were performed by the children. The participants lit candles in memory of those who have passed away due to AIDS. Beena Martin gave a heart rendering speech on how the BLC was drawn to aid-ing, caring and reaching out to HIV af-fected people in Goa. The day was also graced by the MLA of St. Cruz, Mrs Victo-ria Fernandes.

Registered Charity Number 1112730

Boys’ New Home!

The BLC has been renovating a new house in St. Cruz to accommodate some of the boys. They have been extremely pressed to find space for the growing children and have been hunting for another house for the last three years in the vicinity of the other two homes. As the prices of the prop-erties were soaring high, the hope of getting an extra house was almost lost. A house was finally located within 5 minutes of the other homes. The money from the house was raised by generous contributions., many of which were a result of Martin and Beena Thampy’s last visit to the UK. This is going to be a big celebration for the BLC and we have been asked thank you for the way you have been standing with each and every one of their needs. We understand the children can’t wait to move to their new house as soon as the renovation is over. The house will hopefully be ready for the boys to move into by April.

Education Booster Programme BLC is taking a leap in promoting excellence and efficiency in providing a better education for all the children. It started by recruiting home tutors in addi-tion to regular school. Many of the children have been struggling to cope with the mainstream curricu-lum, which has paved the way to opt for alternative education programmes to boost their learning. The BLC has recently been collaborating with the Nir-mala Institute of Education, an institute focused on providing special education. A group of 22 teachers have been closely and painstakingly working with the children. As a result of this we are formulating a custom made curriculum for the next academic year. BLC's vision is to have our own education pro-gramme catered for the needs of our children.

On the 6th of January 2009, a New Year Party was hosted at Taleigao on the lawns of Michael Viegas for all the chil-dren. The evening saw the children enjoying festive games with prizes, a disco and a Santa who gave gifts to all the children. The evening ended with a celebratory din-ner. The event was supported by Monginis and other like-minded people from Taleigao and other areas of Goa.

New Year Party

Insights of volunteers

In July this year my fiancée and I were lucky enough to spend time with the children at the Be-thesda life centre. As a friend of Elizabeth, I had heard of the work great that was being done in Goa and was eager to be a part of it and help in any way I could. We flew out in July this year to spend time at the homes. We shared our time between the girls’ and boys’ homes, helping the children with their studies, taking them on trips to the park, play-ing football barefoot in the rain and generally just being there for the children and devoting our time solely to them. The staff at the homes provide excellent care and quality of life for the children and so we found our-selves debating what sort of contribution we could actually offer. We began to realise that the greatest benefit volunteers like us could provide the chil-dren, was the individual attention and love which the children seem to cherish. Being there as a friend, someone for them to talk to and take a genuine interest in them, is so invaluable. Taking the time to get to know the children was fantastic, and to see how happy there were was truly inspir-ing. It felt quite unique to witness first hand how donated money can really make a difference to people’s lives. The children have such an energy and enthusiasm for life that is provided by the support and love they receive from the Life Centre and their love of God. We’d recommend a visit to the homes to anyone!

Could you volunteer? WE NEED… Gap Year Students • Mature

Volunteers Professionals

Short-term • Long-term

Registered Office: Harborough Hill House Harringworth Road Gretton Northamptonshire. NN17 3DD

Jeremy: 01536 770085 Elizabeth: 07742 355806 Email: info@james1v27foundation.org.uk

We are now online! www.james1v27foundation.org.uk

Jeremy: 01536 770085 Elizabeth: 07742 355806 Email: info@james1v27foundation.org.uk

Christmas with the Education Minister The children had the privilege of having a get-together with the Honourable Education Minister, Shri Babush Monseratte at his residence in Taleigao on December the 28th 2008. The children sang Christmas Carols for him which he found very moving. In his address to the children he expressed his grati-tude to them for keeping both this tradition of Carol singing and the feeling of Christmas alive. Refreshments and snacks were served to all of the chil-dren and they received gifts.

Educational Institutions visit the homes Institutions including Mary Immaculate Girls' High School, Panjim School and Sunshine School conducted interactive programmes at the homes. Mary Immaculate Girls' School organised a cultural programme on the 16th of December. The girls of the 9th Standard pre-sented skits, sang Christmas carols, played games, interacted with the children and gave them gifts. The students of Sunshine School visited the home on 22nd December. They sang Christmas carols and had a personal interaction with our kids. They gave sweets and gifts to all of the children, which were naturally well received!

HIV AIDS Project BLC has been caring for HIV affected people in the state of Goa for the past seven years. At present they are catering to the needs of 70 men, women and children who receive monthly assistance. BLC provides groceries, toiletries, medicine, financial help, surgical help etc on a regular basis to all those who are in the support group. Many of those affected do not have a permanent house to live in. BLC aims to provide housing for all these people in need.