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Friends of Calcutta

Review 2017

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Welcome

It gives us great pleasure to share with you what has been a truly wonderful twelve months both in our beloved Calcutta as well as at home. We endeavoured this year to continue the great progress of 2016 with the goal of constantly adding extra quality to all aspects of our work. A dream will always remain but a dream if not realised through encouragement and passionate support and as a totally voluntary group we rely foremost on the enthusiasm, talents and commitment of our committee. It says so much that since we began our journey in 1994 that such has been our collective sense of togetherness that at no stage have we ever had to vote on any issue. Incredibly over a two-year period seldom has a month passed without a committee member being present in Calcutta at all times striving to improve the plight of those we have the extraordinary honour to serve. The simplicity of our goals has garnered tremendous support from near and afar and this booklet is dedicated with heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to everyone who played a part in all of us enjoying such a spectacular year which paves a path for many exciting years ahead.

Thank you Friends of Calcutta

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Tangra Play Area

The year began in the very best possible way with five committee members

present. First task was the completion of the newly designed colour

coordinated play area in front of Tangra School. Kate was excellent sharing her

expertise in the

imaginative use

of colour and

Johnny and

Kevin played a

huge role in

reducing our

ongoing battle to

keep the rubbish

[and roaming

pigs] of Dhappa

Dump from

encroaching on

our school. The

perimeter wall is

a tremendous success and as we incredibly approach next year the 20th

anniversary of Tangra we are thrilled that the cleanliness aspect has been

permanently addressed. As part of his ‘builders holiday’ Johnny also advised

FOKE on how to tackle their flaking plastered walls in Madhubati resulting in

the transformation of that building also.

FOC –DAS Meeting

It was a tremendous pleasure for us, with so many committee members

present, to participate in what was a lengthy and most fruitful meeting with our

partner Development Action Society. We were able to share our collective

stories of the past and reach forward together to what we hope will be the

future our students deserve. A boardroom brimming with talent and

enthusiasm we were heartened that the road ahead can only be positive.

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Sheela Sengupta Awards Night

Edel was especially thrilled to be present and indeed one of the chief guests

for The Sheela Sengupta Awards Night. Held in Hot Wok in Chinatown all 52

of our tailoring/handicraft

trainees arrived resplendent

in the new uniform they had

fashioned themselves.

The Secretary of DAS, Mrs

Purabi Roy, Sheelas daughter

Ishani and the lady who is the

lifeblood to our work Seema

Paul [Sheelas sister]

accompanied by her assistant Pompi Ghosh made this a night to remember

for all. Still numbed by the so sudden departure of Sheela last July this night

was ample proof that her legacy will live on blessed from on high. Such was

the quality of the handicrafts submitted by all trainees that joint winners

had to be declared.

A beautiful trophy in memory of Sheela was presented and is displayed with

great pride in all three centres. A surprise fourth trophy which was greeted

with a standing ovation was presented to Edel in recognition of close on two

decades of dedication to uplifting the plight of these quite amazing young

women.

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One in A Million

As an NGO it is our goal to provide quality education to those living in the most

marginalised areas of Calcutta and West Bengal. We do this with great love and

trust that our efforts will reap dividends for those whom we have the profound

honour to serve. A student reaching Class X is a simply wonderful achievement

and tremendous testimony to the efforts of their teachers especially. The

majority of our students are first

generation learners so educational

assistance from a learned parent is

seldom an option. Some years ago a

batch of very bright students were

therefore placed in residential

school to give them the

opportunities their talents merited.

We sponsored the constant

supervision of these 20 elite

students but at the time of our new

partnership with DAS we decided

that on grounds of lack of

monitoring alone we could no longer

continue this support. We offered the best school places available to those who

would return home. The majority of the students came home but two remained

in residential care and one of them has simply achieved the impossible.

Mohammad Hussain sat his Class 10 exam with 950,000 other would be

hopefuls throughout West Bengal and came 27th overall. Spellbinding result

which the Government of West Bengal have acknowledged with grants into the

future as he strives now to become a doctor. We appointed Uma Roychudery as

coordinator of the project some years ago which has led to this amazing

outcome and while no longer a member of our staff we thank her for her

continued monitoring of a student who is surely a role model for all who live in

the bustees [slums]. Hussain is truly one in a million and a vivid example of the

talents that lie within ready to blossom irrespective of background.

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Rajiv Ganguly Sports Tournament 2017

Quite extraordinary to imagine that next January we celebrate the 10th anniversary

of what is now one of the year’s highlights for countless NGO’s and 1500 students

who count down the days to the following years event. Alan, although sadly having

to fly home just before the

event was magnificent in using

his advocate skills in cementing

a watertight financial deal re

next year’s costs and this may

have greatly contributed to

what was the smoothest

running event to date.

The parade as always was

spectacular culminating with

1500 students marching up the

sacred driveway of Entally to be

greeted and blessed by one of the last icons of the city Sr. Cyril Mooney. An

avalanche of colour with mascots preceding a euphoria of joy one of the abiding

memories is the lion from Kidderpore [overjoyed at seeing her as some years back

her intervention saved his house and school] literally dived on her in the most

loving lion embrace ever seen in Entally.

Our sponsor of this wonderful weekend Seamus Byrne of Lenrec Recycling [who

had attended the first 2 years of their

sponsorship] and we hope to welcome

him back next January. Lenrec fund this

marvellous event from the proceeds of

parish clothes collections and we are

truly indebted to the generosity of the

parishoners who so wholeheartedly

support. The football trophies this

year were donated by our dear friend

Abid Rahman, owner of New Cathay Restaurant and already next year we have a

pledge from Farouk Halim to sponsor the Kabadi trophy.

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Champions one and all, especially new

entrant the NGO Paras Padma whose

Princess brought down the house in

winning the ‘Pass The Parcel’ contest,

DAS were champions in football,

Kidderpore in Kabadi and after a

stirling duel with Calcutta Rescue, The

Sundarban Crocodiles were overjoyed

to reclaim The Rajiv Ganguly Cricket

Tournament Trophy.

On a day to live long in the memory

Finals Day was quite special as interrupting the awards ceremony it was the ideal

opportunity for us to pay homage to someone extremely close to all hearts, our

driver for over 2 decades, Ragavendra who was retiring. We were unaware that the

staff had made a private collection to present him with a suitable token of their

esteem. His tears of joy and the public acknowledgement of his years of service

were truly a joy to witness. He had pledged that his final role for FOC would be to

drive Rajivs mother home after the awards ceremony. We waved them off through

the gates of Entally after a momentously joyful two days BUT confirmed rumour has

it that he will shelve retirement in January to continue both his duty and his love of

being such an important part of the Rajiv story.

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DAS Commitment to Tangra

It was with great joy and indeed pride in our mutual partnership that we

welcomed the DAS initiative to

transform and upgrade the

environment in which our students and

their parents live their daily lives in

Tangra. DAS have achieved close on the

impossible in totally refurbishing a

most beautiful ‘Pay and Use’ toilet and

washroom facility as well as getting permission from KMC to flood the area

with murals promoting awareness slogans such as ‘No Litter’ etc. Already the

benefits are slowly coming to fruition of this wonderful effort. Thank you

Parubi and all your excellent team in reaching out to this often forgotten

community.

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Katrina

We have been blessed by having so many welcome visitors to our work this year but

perhaps none left as great an impact as Katrina.

Kevins contact she was visiting Calcutta for the very

first time in what turned out to be the hottest

month [May] in 126 years. She somehow managed

to volunteer in Topsia and Tangra for two months

at a time when the death count among locals

[habituated to excessive heat] soared. Her lovely

gentle and empowering ways was adored by both

students and teachers alike. Currently working with

the refugees in Greece we are delighted that she

has embraced the opportunity of being part of our committee for the year ahead.

Let there be light

A dream come true was achieved in late summer when after years of hardship a fan

finally whirled in our school in Bhubaneswari. A most remote area [4/5 gruelling

hours by road from the city] there was no electric connection. One cannot imagine

the amazing difference this will make especially during the sweltering summer

months. Prior to electric connection we had to remove most of the roof to replace

the rotten wooden beams that were just about supporting the structure. All are

simply overjoyed.

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Maintenance In Charge

The upkeep of our schools which indeed double up as community centres is a vital

component of forward planning and we were delighted in June that Tapan and Uma

accepted the responsibility of ensuring that Tangra and Topsia [with Barens

assistance] would be maintained to the highest standard possible. Already major

improvements have been witnessed and they are both extremely busy ensuring that

graffiti etc is a thing of the past. Shipra and Brojo volunteered to ensure that

Kidderpore was maintained to a suitably high standard. A maintenance box is now

in place in all three city schools which includes paint to counter the occasional

crayon mark.

Lalor O’Shea

A small group of returned Calcutta volunteers met for the first time in Fermoy in

1994. A weekend away which laid the foundations for Friends of Calcutta being

formed.

With the invaluable support of Loreto Fermoy and thanks to the tremendous

generosity of the Kavanagh family who

owned The Grand Hotel a concert was

arranged for that Saturday night to raise

funds for Sr. Cyrils Night Shelter for

vulnerable young girls. The comedian Alan

Shortt was MC and an array of local talent

entertained a packed house. The legendary

footballer Paul Mc Grath, courtesy of his great friend Fr Aidan Crowley, provided the

main prize for the raffle and we began our work buoyed by the success of this great

night alone. In the audience travelling down all the way from Carlow to support

were Mick Quirke and his brother-in-law Padraic Lalor and their continued support

over the ensuing two decades has been simply astounding.

Padraic, a most gifted accountant would later form Lalor O Shea, now the leading

accountancy and tax consultants in the south east. Their tremendous support and

professional advice has played such a key role in our continued growth. Words of

thanks can never do justice to the esteem in which we hold Padraic, his partners

and superb staff except to say we look forward very much to the day you witness at

first hand the fruits of what your support has empowered.

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Belvedere College

From the early days of the wonderful involvement of Fr.

Donal Neary, whose presence graced our committee for

over a decade, we have had a tremendous association

with Belvedere College. Each year they visit our schools

and quite often volunteer helping to improve our students

english grammar . Their comments on the progress of our

centres are cherished by all as their historical link has witnessed more than

most the upward graph ensuing from all our collective efforts. Each year they

make a most valued financial contribution to our work and this greatly enhances

future development.

Sean Garvey

Quite an amazing individual who has embraced Calcutta with a fervour seldom seen.

A retired school Principal of Bruff National School in Limerick each year he adds

great joy to our work. Initially he came to Calcutta as part of Calcutta Calling but

since then has returned to fund the projects closest to his heart. This year his quest

was to fund Christmas Dinner for all three centres as well as sponsoring our

Kidderpore Tailoring Trainees to enjoy a weekend in Swapno Puri.

Vincent Jones

Yet another remarkable man whose love for the city and our work has spanned two

decades. Vincent was one of the main forces behind our quest that students from

the bustees should experience the dream of a better tomorrow including the

creation of Swapno Puri which our students greatly benefit from. Vincent continues

to support us whenever we find scope that a ‘magical notion’ might become a

reality.

Sri Samadaar

The very best laid plans can never be materialised without support from those who

have the final say and we are indebted to Sri Samadaar for his wonderful support of

both FOC and DAS in Tangra. We sincerely hope that in January he will be our guest

of honour in cutting the tape on the extension he gifted us in Tangra. Over the next

few years we are certain that he will be uplifted and blessed by taking this most

brave and selfless decision.

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Calcutta Calling

Calcutta Calling were next to visit in February and did

Trojan work in painting Kevins perimeter wall in

Tangra as well as the grills, windows and doors. For years Calcutta Calling have

played an invaluable role in assisting us strive for progress as quite often

maintenance [or often known here as beautification] can be compromised due

to lack of extra finance. We remain extremely grateful to each and all of their

group for over two decades of support and their input has been invaluable in so

many ways.

Ballybrown is quite a small place in Co. Limerick but which holds Calcutta so

close to its heart. So many of the Calcutta Calling committee have come from

there and over the years have enhanced our work through painting, cleaning as

well as invaluable moral support. It was with great sadness earlier this year that

we learned of the tragic passing of two of their most wonderful ambassadors,

Liam Coughlan and Maureen Mc Cormack.

To this day one of the largest clothes collections to fund The Rajiv Tournament

is always guaranteed in Ballybrown, it was from here that Fr Pat Hogan began

his quest to share the delights of Calcutta with his parishioners and through his

successor Fr Mike Cussen Maureen and Liams Calcutta Calling will be forever

remembered.

Shanti

We are blessed to have four tremendous sponsors

of our work whose annual contribution ensures that

50% of our required fundraising target is met each year. Words cannot do justice to

the sense of relief and freedom this empowerment affords us. Calcutta Calling,

Lenrec and Calcutta Connect became a family of 4 earlier this year when Anil and

Astrid joined our collective efforts. They chose the name ‘Shanti’ [meaning ‘Peace’]

and having researched to offer support to a charity which met their values we are

greatly honoured to have them on board in this exciting journey and we look

forward very much to their first trip to Calcutta in the new year as well as hopefully

a sharing of their talents and infectious enthusiasm at our forthcoming AGM.

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Calcutta Connect

Calcutta Connect have a most extraordinary link with Friends of Calcutta which dates back to 2002 when Pat Mc Namara and Barrie McEntee brought their students to Calcutta from Colaiste Eanna School in Dublin and who each year would assist our work in the very early days during their annual visit. Pat would later become a most valued member of our committee for many years and an amazing number of his former students would return independently to Calcutta after they completed their studies. As a result Calcutta Connect was born in 2010 and we are very proud of how they have grown as a newly formed Irish NGO assisting our students who reach college level, offering every support to all to reach Class 12 standard and having wonderful representation on our own committee. They also have transformed a beautiful NGO in Canning which was floundering due to lack of finance and support. It is especially marvellous to see such a positive and talented input into realising the dreams of our college students, a number which we will do our utmost to ensure will grow annually. May they be happily overworked for many years to come based on the amazing success to date. Alan and Aoife were most generous in sponsoring learning materials for all centres. In July new Calcutta Connect committee member Emily Lyon and her father Colm paid a whirlwind visit to ‘The City of Joy’ and witnessed at first hand the fruits of their tremendous quest to bring quality education to the marginalised especially through the efforts and future development of Calcutta Connect. Their glowing comments in the visitors book had special meaning as Calcutta Connect have played, and continue to do so, such a vital part in the progress we all strive for especially in realising the dreams of our older students who now believe that ‘anything’ is possible

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Lenrec

For more than a decade the Kilkenny based clothes recycling company 'Lenrec' have been a most magnificent supporter of our work. Initially in 2008 we received valuable funding from their affiliate B and O Recycling through mobile phone collections in schools throughout Ireland. We remain forever grateful to Peter O' Kane who together with his then business partner, the MD of Lenrec, Seamus Byrne provided this most valuable funding. In 2010 Seamus visited Calcutta for the first time and was so impressed by the simplicity of our work that on his return home he pledged to support us on an annual basis from the proceeds of clothes placed in clothing banks nationwide which would carry our name. This annual contribution especially at a time when Ireland was suffering the full effects of an economic downturn was invaluable. In 2015 Lenrec also became the main sponsor of our Rajiv Ganguly Tournament which is funded exclusively from Parish Clothes Collections in selected Dioceses throughout Ireland. Such was the wonderful response from parishes in 2017 that Lenrec granted us additional funding to create a magnificent kitchen in Tangra. Seamus has been a most welcome visitor to our schools on 3 separate occasions and we are hoping he will make it over for Rajiv 18 in January. We are delighted to have such a wonderful connection with Irelands leading recycling company especially as recycling is such a vital part of survival for so many of our student’s families

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Meet Some of Our Team

A brief insight into some of the people whose generosity and talents make the

often seemingly impossible happen:

Tapan

Tapan is a truly amazing character. Quite often lovingly referred to as ‘The Enforcer’

his steely presence emitting glowing enthusiasm will always be found at any time of

crisis. Tapan fulfils many roles and would be the

first to volunteer if a new role was required to

assist our work. A qualified tailor, his main job is

training our 22 tailoring/handicraft students in

Tangra. He also regularly visits Topsia to

coordinate with Abida and then on to Kidderpore

to discuss future tailoring plans with Shambo. He

volunteered to take on Maintenance in Tangra

having developed a wonderful relationship with

our local builder there during the refurbishment

of the playground. A tremendous support to

Baren also his infectious nature ensures that

deadlines are met without pressure. During the Rajiv Ganguly Tournament another

facet of his vast array of talents is on show as he personally organises the football

tournament which often includes providing a running commentary on the radio

mike.

Rita Mukerjee

Rita is regarded with the love and respect only

afforded to a ‘mother’. She has been an integral part

of our team for over 2 decades. Simply adored by

the students in Topsia especially where each day no

matter what climate Calcutta throws up she makes

the energy sapping journey from her home to be

greeted by a joyful chorus of ‘Auntie’. Extremely

proud of The Topsia Bengal Tigers achievements on

the field of battle in Entally she simply glows during those two eventful days.

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Nurse Champa Chowdhury

Nursing was always a most noble profession but in Champa perhaps an even more

exalted status has been achieved. Over

the 15 years she has monitored and

mothered all who were sick [including

parents] and as a result we have

witnessed a most dramatic and

unheralded improvement in the health

aspect of all associated with our work.

Utilising the ambulance jeep to

maximum effect countless miracles have

ensued. Frugal to the core, while never

compromising quality care she is simply the greatest exponent the city has ever

seen as to how to maximise what The Government of West Bengal has to offer the

marginalised. She regularly uses The NRS Hospital in Sealdah where one might

expect to queue for 2 days to be seen, such is their overload of work. Champa will

have all our patients seen within 2 hours while at the same time collecting free

medicine as well as a securing a commitment from the doctors who recognise her

worth that on a specific date they will attend a free clinic for all in one of our

centres. Dentists and opticians also submit to her charm and she is truly worth her

weight in gold. Each year we delight in her forward planning.

Uma Manna

Uma is another extraordinary lady. One of the longest serving staff members [20

years plus] she coordinates everything from a teaching perspective with DAS.

Moving from school to school she deputises for any

teacher who might be sick as well as ensuring that the FOC

-DAS educational programme is implemented. She greatly

assists Baren in obtaining the data for his monthly reports

and since June she has also taken on the role of

Maintenance Manager in Topsia. Uma’s commitment to

her work is best exemplified by the fact that despite family

bereavements over the 20 years she refused to take time

off. It is also great testimony to DAS that over the last 3

years she has never been so joyful in her work.

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Braja

Braja [pronounced 'Brojo'] is an excellent teacher in Kidderpore School. Loved by all he has a multitude of duties which he carries out with great enthusiasm in his own unique way. At the time of Saraswati Puja it is Brojo who is given the honour to carry The Goddess of Learning to her imersion in the lake behind our school. He is our 'Minister of Sport' and for months in advance will work with Baren on framing the rules for our Rajiv Tournament. He supplies all the referees and umpires who arrive en masse from his town and he has the final decision on rule infringements should they occur. He is also a most valued link with Bhubaneswari School as over the years he has built such a rapport with the management and staff there. One of his greatest gifts is that he spreads joy wherever he goes.

Shipra

Shipra is also based in Kidderpore and has to be one of the most dedicated teachers any NGO could ever dream of having on their team. Such is her commitment to our

students that for some considerable time she would invariably teach all day at our school which was four hours after her due time to return home. Initially employed as a pre-school teacher such is her tremendous love of our students that she would simply remain on to assist the returning Government School follow-up students also. She did this in an unpaid voluntary capacity. We have now thankfully, through DAS, formalised this arrangement.

Extremely proud of her special school, together with Brojo and Mashi she has volunteered to ensure that school maintenance is a top priority for 2017 and beyond. Kidderpore School is perhaps the least accessible of our 3 city centres but once reached it is great testimony to Shipra, Brojo, Mashi, Shumitra, Shabari, Ashish and Shambo that visitors simply hate to leave.

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Court Services

'We are extremely grateful to The Court Services who

since 2015 have been generously making most valuable

financial donations to our work via-a via fines imposed for

speeding etc. . Over that period we have received in

excess of €1500 and this most welcome funding has

greatly assisted our efforts to improve the quality of our

work.

The Trip To Tipp.

Blessed as we are in having an iconic address in ‘Avila’ both to hold our monthly/bi-

monthly meetings as well as being our official abode, we were nevertheless

delighted to accept Pat and Edel’s kind offer to hold our [was it June] meeting in

their newly refurbished home a beautiful farmhouse in Two Mile Borris. We held a

most productive meeting which was followed by a sumptuous feast and

unanimously invited ourselves back next summer.

Prakash Pashia

Not a staff member but without doubt one of the

greatest friends any NGO could dream of ever

having. A very successful business man who

exports leather goods to Europe and beyond,

Prakash has been a most essential pillar supporting

our journey since 2002. A former executive

member of Calcutta Rescue his depth of friendship

has been astounding over the last 15 years. Prior to

the formation of our partnership with DAS we

regularly used his sumptuous office to hold school

management meetings when often he acted as a

wise owl in encouraging collective effort towards a common goal. We still consider

his Kyd Street office as our refuge of support and he is especially overjoyed with

what has been achieved over the period he has battled beside us to make it happen.

Every year he also sponsors a new bat for the best cricketer and we so enjoy

welcoming him to Entaly.

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Tangra School Rejuvenated

Tangra School was built in 1998. A simple wicker structure perched high

above Dhappa Dump it was always a

‘special place’ from its earliest days.

The families survived solely on the

pickings of plastic and scrap leather

and education for their young children

was beyond the dreams of the vast

majority who relied on an extra, albeit

small pair of hands, simply to survive.

Our school was cherished by the locals from the very first day and wonderful

memories float back of mothers chanting ‘A is for Apple’ ‘B is for Ball’

recycling plastic outside their childrens classroom.

So much has happened in the ensuing 20 years, affordable accommodation

has been built on what was the heart of the dump and the Government of

West Bengal have strongly enforced the law that all children at 6 years must

be enrolled in Government School.

The KMC [Kolkata Municipal

Corporation] have also been excellent

in striving to support this most

vulnerable community and with their

welcome and support we shifted our

school to their adjacent land where a

solid brick structure welcomed a new

dawn. Today with our partner DAS we

operate a vibrant pre-school where students from the age of 4-6 years are

prepared for admittance into formal school. A second set of teachers then

arrive at 2pm to welcome home the older students who return from

Government School to do their homework and to receive tuition in all

subjects. It is truly a miracle and a source of great joy to witness older

students now reaching college level.

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Recycling is still the mainstay of most families living in the multitude of

shacks which adjoin our school but the future is paved with glorious

opportunity. The older girls are

especially vulnerable and some

years ago we began a tailoring

programme which each year under

the expert guidance and dedication

of Tapan has grown both in stature

and in numbers. We now have 22

trainee tailors who are also

becoming proficient in handicrafts.

Crammed into two small classrooms we needed a miraculous intervention

and thanks to Councillor Samavaar and The KMC the miracle materialised.

They most generously offered us the use of a large derelict building which

was located directly behind our kitchen. Thanks to the skill of ‘Dada’ our

excellent local builder, the efforts of 25 local boys who thoroughly cleaned

the area and the site management skills of Tapan and Baren we now have a

glorious new area which will transform tailoring, handicrafts and possibly

lead to an overall expansion of vocational training. Already orders are

flowing in from Shambo from Calcutta Rescue and our goal will be initially to

become a major supplier of school uniforms.

What was once a truly awful area where an open broken septic tank merged

with years of refuse has been

transformed to become ‘Ma’s

Garden’. An enclosed area bordered

by flowers, this area will be used to

entertain potential tailoring customers

as well as a tea garden where our

students can relax. Dedicated to the

memory of ‘Ma Walshe’ whose son

Kevin [our treasurer] has played such a

vital role especially in the ongoing improvements in this school.

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In joining the two building we received a wonderful bonus in the creation of an area

which will double up as both a reception area and an office. Here Baren and Seema

can sit with teachers, parents and visitors alike. Information and flexis showing all 4

schools will decorate the walls and this area alone will add great comfort and

quality to our work as we celebrate 20 glorious years in this extraordinary place and

make exciting plans for the future.

We have so many people to thank who have contributed so much towards fulfilling

the dreams of so many mothers. Gopal, who located

and negotiated with great skill our welcome into this

area, The KMC who have been unwavering in their

support, Calcutta Calling who funded the first

revamp and who en-masse continue to enhance the

property each year , Calcutta Connect who continue

to play a vital role in fuelling the dreams of all older

students through their dedication, Edel whose single

handed commitment to tailoring through sponsoring

countless sewing machines to qualified trainees has

borne such fruit and of course Parubi, Seema,

Pompi, Deepa and all in DAS whose efforts ,support

and great standing especially with The KMC made

our dreams a reality.

Tangra Garden Area Before and After

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Tangra Kitchen .... A New Beginning.

For a school to strive towards success it is essential that an excellent Mashi [Cook]

must be in place. A key member of staff we are truly blessed in having four

excellent Mashis. The Mashi cooks,

cleans and generally takes charge of

the building quite often acting as

Security also as holder of the keys.

Our city schools are located in

challenging areas where cleanliness

and hygiene often are

understandably sacrificed for making

ends meet. Over the years we have

always honoured and encouraged

the efforts of each Mashi but in

October we found a glorious opportunity in Tangra to build a template which in

time will be replicated in all four schools.

A beautiful state of the art kitchen has been created thanks to the sublime skills of

our builder who lives 20 metres from the School gate. Ably assisted by his entire

family and completing the

work during Durga Puja he

truly created something

rather special. Gone forever

are the days of cutting

vegetables and cooking over

a kerosene stove on the

school floor. Electric plug

points, installed by our

former student Khartik mean

that in time a fridge can be

added to compliment the

electric kettle which each day

will provide a welcome cup of chai [tea] for each member of staff. Seema was so

impressed that she has pledged to sponsor the accompanying biscuits which in

itself sends a most positive message to all our staff as to how much we value their

dedication.

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New utensils including steel plates and mugs for all 3 city schools are now in place

and whenever funds permit we will fulfill

the dreams of each school to have a

kitchen of similar standard. DAS are

overjoyed also and on the day they

officially launched their community toilet

and washroom we were delighted that

they invited KMC, who were suitably

impressed, to view the wonderful new

additions to the school also. We are

forever grateful to Seamus Byrne, MD of

Lenrec for his tremendous support in granting this extra funding. This kitchen truly

sets a wonderful new standard which any NGO would be proud of and which the

students and staff so richly deserve.

Older Students

In recent years it has given us great pleasure to see the numbers of students

reaching the latter stages of their secondary education and taking state board

examinations increasing. This year saw nine students take their Class X board

examinations and four their final school

board examinations for Class XII. All of

the students taking exams performed

very well in their results. All of the

students who completed their Class X

exams have continued in their progress

in studies in their respective schools and

those who have completed their Class

XII examinations have now progressed on to college. We would like to thank

Calcutta Connect who now sponsor all of the older students in our centres and

those who have progressed on to college with their admission fees, books,

uniforms and extra tuitions, this assistance helps to prevent students dropping

out of school for financial reasons as the costs involved in higher education is

beyond what many families can afford in our communities. We would like to

wish all our older students all the best with their future studies.

24

The Ladies Mini Marathon

Our annual fundraiser where 80 athletes plus 2 interlopers [Mrs Brown and

a most dodgy pink haired ‘lady’] took to the streets amidst a torrential

downpour. It was a tremendously enjoyable event and finally adjourning to

The Central Hotel for well earned snacks all enjoyed

watching the short films shown which highlighted

exactly where the funding would be spent. We are very

grateful to Mason Hayes Curran who funded the

refreshments as this ensured that 100% of all funds

raised went directly to our project. As always we were in

awe of Miriam Doran and her tremendous talent in

attracting so many of her friends to participate. We salute The. Star of the

Sea .Running Club as well as a special mention and acknowledgement of the

efforts of our new committee member Una Barrett whose fundraising effort

was simply astounding. The only sad aspect of the day was that we were not

blessed with the uplifting and powerful presence of our Matriarch,

Josephine [Miriams mother] but we are assured that already she is in

training for next years event. On this most enjoyable day we were delighted

that approximately 25% of our required annual budget was raised.

25

The Rajiv Ganguly Tournament 2018

We are truly delighted to announce that Rajiv 18 will be held on Saturday and

Sunday January 13 and 14. As always we are indebted to our great friend Sr. Tina

for her tremendous friendship and support. Sr. Tina was so instrumental in

‘Rajiv’ becoming the highlight of the year for the 12,000 students and staff who

have cherished the glorious welcome afforded all by the entire Loreto

Community since inviting us to make Loreto Entally our home each January.

Special thanks to Sr. Antoinette, Sr. Saline and our beloved Sr. Consuelo and Sr.

Cyril who each year rejoice in a special way as the Irish National Anthem follows a

rousing rendition of the Indian Anthem to formally start proceedings. The

highlight for many is ‘The Grand Parade’ where 1500 march up the sacred

driveway behind their NGO banner which they so proudly represent. This

forthcoming event will be extra special as it will celebrate the 10th anniversary.

Already we are confident that it will be a weekend that will live long in the

memory. The City of Joy at its greatest.

26

Baren Mondal

Baren must be one of the most talented individuals we have ever had the honour to

be associated with. Blessed with an air of serenity seldom seen quite often he is set

impossible goals but somehow in his own beautiful way comes up with the goods or

convinces all that Plan B is a better option. Sublimely intelligent, a thorough

gentleman in his dealings with all, we simply could not have a better ambassador for

our work. Calcutta from a travel perspective can be a most difficult place to work.

The surrounding

environs of our

schools can at times

be a challenge to the

most fool heartedly

brave [especially

during the monsoon

and at other times

surviving energy

sapping heat and

humidity] but

somehow Baren

floats effortlessly

into this cauldron

and the respect each and every member of staff have for him merits double the

salary we pay him for his talents. His close working relationship with Seema is also

essential and she values his thoughts and opinions on all matters. He has made

‘Rajiv’ his own. A naturally shy person it is simply extraordinary the manner and

expertise which he lends to our weekend including donning the mantle of being MC

for the entire weekend. Thank you Baren and long may we and all we hold dear be

enriched by your great gifts.

Important Upcoming Dates

Saturday November 11th at 3pm - Friends of Calcutta AGM , date of first meeting of incoming committee followed by Christmas Mass

Thursday January 11th at 4pm - 20th Anniversary Celebration of Tangra School

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January - Rajiv 18 at Loreto Entaly, Calcutta

Monday January 15th at 4pm - Sheela Sengupta Awards Evening, Chinatown

Baren recharging his batteries as he floats towards Bhubaneswari

27

A Morning in Khidderpore Pre-School

28

Friends of Calcutta is an Irish Registered Charity CHY 13218 &

Registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority no. 20040611

To make a donation to our work visit www.friendsofcalcutta.com/donate

Bank of Ireland Bagenalstown: Sort Code 90-64-94 Account 80889769

BIC BOFIIE2D IBAN IE66BOFI90649480889769

Friends of Calcutta, c/o Avila Centre, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook

Dublin 4, Ireland.

www.friendsofcalcutta.com