Manali
The trip of a lifetime - a trip that changed lives. Many have now heard the official reports from the 14 strong team that went out to Manali in North India last July.
such as our own.
And so it was with excitement and a lot of uncertainty that the group left last July, Unsure quite what we would be doing and quite how we would be received. We were divided into two teams - the teachers and the medics with Alan having the roving role as pastor. The teachers settled quickly. Sharing their experience and knowledge with the
staff and with the pupils, they soon felt at home. Hugh Campbell, May Spence and Lauren Dean (a colleague of Sinclair Dyers) were the backbone of the senior teaching group - Marjory Telfer, Dorothy Crawford, supported by Fiona Telfer and Catriona Herbert worked with huge and very demanding groups in the primary and infant departments. For nearly three weeks they taught their specialist subjects and encouraged the staff.
The medics, after acclimatising at Manali (6000ft) set off for Spitti (12,500ft) via Kunzum Pass (15,000ft). What a barren and inhospitable landscape, but populated by so warm and friendly a people.
Here Cameron Herbert and Kim Dyer were undertaking their medical electives. Anne Herbert, Christine McLeod and Sheena Stirling (a year mate of Anne's from way back at Uni) ran a dental camp to a people remote from good medical and dental care. Murray Herbert was also part of this group working largely in Out Patients.
What did we learn? More than we could ever cram into a short report! For certain we all came away with a real sense of having received more than we had given. It was humbling to have received so much warmth and practical support from people. We were challenged by the Christian community‟s commitment and faith. We were amazed by the wonder of creation - it is an awesome place. We were amused by so much. Ashamed that we had so much. And that a team from 18 to ....well..... to retiral age could work and laugh and share so much fun and deepness together was in itself a great blessing to us all.
Since coming back we must have bored many to tears – but can we book you on the next trip?
The Manali Hospital Fund
Some have asked about the history of the Fund. The Fund was established in 1986 as a charity to support the work of Lady Willingdon Hospital and associated works, essentially by a group of Medics and Dentists at Glasgow University, following their elective studies in India.Over the years it has specifically supported the work and vision of Drs Laji and Sheila Varghese who have been the leaders at the hospital and school since 1979. The Fund has channeled now about £300,000 over the last 25 years which has helped develop the hospital, school and rural work from a tiny affair to the far reaching work it is today. But there is more to do and so much more need ahead. As the world‟s population reaches 7 billion (and one sixth of them live in India) the need grows rather than recedes.
Following the visit we have had a good chance to discuss the future of the work in Manali. It is our intention to focus more on the rural work, on capital projects in Daystar School, in outreach to places such as Spitti and finally to support children through the school. Many can only attend through child sponsorship programmes and we administer these for UK supporters. It costs £150 per year to pay for the education and needs of a child attending Daystar.
Lady Willingdon (herself a Scot with truly charitable intentions) established the hospital in 1935. It has been a real privilege to have been part of the vision of the work over these years.
Manali Hospital Fund
Update on Spartanburg Orphanage Project
2011 has been a year of new relationships between Scotland and Donkorkrom.The partnership between Hamilton Grammar and Donkorkrom Agricultural Senior School has been flourishing; this September a group of senior students and teachers from Hamilton visited Ghana. They spent a week in the school joining the lessons, staying with the pupils in their new dormitories and building new friendships. And of course they spent their free time enjoying the company of the kids at Spartanburg!
Here’s a more recent picture of the kids from this summer - they are all still as cheeky and cute as ever!
There have also been some exciting new developments here in Dundee too: a friend of mine spent his medical elective in Donkorkrom Hospital and has returned overflowing with enthusiasm for future projects. The most exciting of these is that we have now been accepted by DARE Dundee – a student society concerned with development and34
research- to send a group to Ghana next year. A group of around ten students will spend a few weeks in Donkorkrom working in the orphanage and in the pre-school. The society only runs five projects a year and so it’s fantastic that they chose us! We’ve also had interest from Strathclyde University in sending a group of their students over too, and we’re hopeful that this will progress in a similar way.
Of course old friends are just as important as new ones, and our loyal sponsors have continued to help support the children financially. Thanks to them, we have been able to ensure the stability of the orphanage for another year through paying the mothers’ salary and contributing to everyday costs of food and clothing. The kids are thriving, and are all progressing through school. It was a proud moment for me to receive a beautifully written letter from Yaw, our eldest boy, asking when we would be visiting him next!
Looking to the future, we are hoping that next year sees the completion of the guest house attached to the orphanage. Please keep the children in your prayers; we know that God is working in the home and in the children’s lives and it is a wonderful thing to witness.
Many thanks for your continuing support.
Kim Dyer
http://www.spartanburg.org.uk/