|
|
|
|
PL682
Dated: 25 June, 2017
OK, let's start with something big and fun.
This week while the summer cooked away here in Banbasa, Clifton was living winter down in Tasmania. Aside from celebrating a friend's birthday, the big draw was the S. Group Fundraising Party for the new staff housing accommodations here at the Mission.
The S. Group is an architectural design firm Down Under who wanted to give back after so much success. We are beyond grateful that they chose our organization and the staff housing project to get behind. It's a big, expensive undertaking, but S. Group is determined.
Before we get to the party, here are a few shots of the foundation going in. It's always exciting to break ground and work is now well underway.
|
|
|
|
Dropping a load of sand beside the new staff housing site.
|
|
|
|
It's always a big day when the JCB shows up to start digging.
|
|
|
|
Old cracked bricks make a bed for the concrete that forms the foundation.
|
|
|
|
Some of our kids got in on the action, helping to move some earth.
|
|
|
|
Kelly and some of the older girls even broke a few bricks to help out.
|
|
|
|
Uncle Anil, one of the new staff housing residents, posing with some column 'hoops'.
|
|
|
|
Some of our small boys filling a trolley with material for breaking.
|
|
|
|
Rick measuring our first column footing. This is how it begins!
|
|
None of this would be possible without some money to pay for it, and for that the S. Group took over. On Friday night, a group of interested clients and local mission supporters gathered together to support this cause. Danny Gibson (a long-time Mission supporter and local alderman) was the MC, the Mayor made an appearance along with some national press...and to top it all off...we nearly reached our goal!
It will cost $220,000 to finish this project and by the time the party was over, we were at 92.65% of our goal! In one night! Clifton was overwhelmed by the support and deeply humbled by the generosity. Huge thanks to the S. Group for their passion and partnership. It was, in Clifton's words, "An amazing evening."
|
|
|
|
Clifton, on the right, gave a brief presentation before the donations began.
|
|
|
|
Clifton, Sam Haberle and Danny Gibson as they received the largest donation of the night.
|
|
|
|
It was certainly a big-smile night for the entire GSAM family.
|
|
|
|
Nearly $204,000! To follow the campaign, click the button below.
|
|
While all of this was going on, we've had a few visitors this week. Mathias Katsuya and his parents, Ana and Carlos, came for a quick visit after supporting us with his Book Links campaign. Just 15 years old, Mathias has been gathering books for our library from his home in Singapore, rallying his classmates and his school to stock our shelves.
A natural fit, the Katsuya family has joined right into Mission life, organizing games, pitching in with work, and having as much fun as our kids are having with them.
|
|
|
|
Mathias, Ana and Carlos ( from left to right) splashing in our pool.
|
|
We also had a donation of clothing this week from Shahida Begum from Singapore. As a thank you for the gifts and just for fun, we held a little photo shoot with some of the girls. Some beautiful new outfits on some beautiful young ladies.
|
|
|
|
Sabby and some new flashy pants.
|
|
|
|
Malika trying on a new look for summer.
|
|
|
|
Rosie looking pretty in Pink. Thanks, Shahida.
|
|
This also was a week where the mangoes start to wind down (sadly) and other fruits step up to sweeten our lives. Peaches are the latest crop and eager hands are out picking away.
|
|
|
|
Rina and Kushboo out gathering peaches in the nursery playground.
|
|
|
|
Pinky inspecting one of her prizes.
|
|
|
The Nursery kids are still enjoying their twice daily games set up by Katie. One battle this week was an all-day, Lego competition. The idea was to construct one complete concept that every team member contributed a piece of. Once again, the Defenders and the Warriors went head to head and a colorful explosion of creativity was the result.
|
|
|
|
While not the winning team, they were happy just the same. Most of them.
|
|
|
|
The Champs with their prize-winning creation.
|
|
School has even started up for our oldest students (11th and 12th class) and exams are finishing for our B.S. students. Nearly done their third and final year, the History II exam was held this week with our near-graduates heading off to try their luck. It was a tough one but we're hoping for the best.
|
|
|
|
Dolly, Nancy, April, Priscilla and Seema, ready to tackle World History.
|
|
And we'll end with a bit of cooling off. Once again, June has provided us with more than sufficient sunshine and nothing helps balance out the heat like a raging pool party. The jumping, racing, splashing and general mayhem went on well past the dinner bell, with everyone having too much fun to stop. Here are just a few snaps from all the excitement. Wish you could have been there.
|
|
|
|
April, Kelly, Roma and Sareena, beating the heat.
|
|
|
|
Under the hose that fills the pool.
|
|
|
|
One...two...three...jump!
|
|
|
|
Some Shipway boys, mugging for the camera (and Pris, Lisa and Shakshi.)
|
|
And so another week has come to an end. In spite of the heat, the Mission is a hive of activity, with work and play in equal measure. Thanks once again to the S. Group and everyone who supported their amazing efforts down in Tasmania. Thanks also to all of you who follow and support us all year long. As always, your encouragement means the world to us and keeps us pressing ahead for these beautiful kids.
|
|
Blessing on you,
Rick, Clifton, Eugene, Priscilla and John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
