We at RTL UK, like to think that every one of our supporters feels that they are involved, and kept informed on how the money collected is spent, and the progress the children are making. YOU KEEP THE WHEELS TURNING! BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU ONE AND ALL.

On November 14th before leaving the hills of Kalimpong Ann and Brian organised a party for the children and Mums.  As we cut the cake, with the words ‘Happy Days’ Nursery School 2017 blazed on it, we thought of all our trustees in the UK, our team responsible for steering all actions taken, and you, our supporters and I dearly wished you too could have been there, seeing the children happily tucking into the cake and a tasty regional dish of dumplings, called ‘moo moos’.

The school year 2017 started well. Fifteen boys and girls 2 ½ to 3 ½ experiencing for the first time, what it was like to have toys, books, paints and a big play area. Little did we know when we left in March, that just 2 ½ months later political unrest would mean our school would be closed.

The GJM (Gorkha Janmukti Morcha) political party began agitating the West Bengal State, that the hill people should have a separate Gorkhland, and a general strike was declared. All shops, schools and banks were closed. The government shut down the internet. Transport was halted. Only vehicles with special permission were allowed on the roads, distinguished by a red cross. Police and military rapidly converted sandbags into bunkers, placing gun carrying personnel on duty at all strategic positions. The strike lasted 105 days! The outcome was dismal. The hill people are disappointed as no ground has been gained. We were due to travel out in October. The time drew closer.  We decided to take the risk and go. We arrived just 3 days after the strike had ended. Everybody was still very anxious, it was another 4 days before normality was felt to be returning.

I independently interviewed all the Mums to find out how it had affected our families. They had been restricted to shopping between 4-5am and 6-7pm.  Rice, their stable diet, was in very short supply. No food was allowed from the plains. Some of our Mums had to take out loans to put food on the table. Prices rocketed. I noticed that they had lost weight! We took immediate action, sourced and ordered rice to be brought to the compound, and gave each Mum 6kgs. But we could not replace the four months of learning that our little children had lost. There was no news of this political upheaval in any of the British newspapers. RTL found out by reading the Indian Statesman, Telegraph and The Post.

To try and remedy the loss of the learning opportunity for the children, we made the decision to give Mums ‘wipe & clean’ ABC books. Hopefully, the children can learn to draw the shapes of the alphabet whilst at home during the winter months – their main holiday Dec, Jan, and Feb. The teachers demonstrated to the Mums, what to do. We shall know on our return at the end of February 2018, if this idea worked

Back in the UK we have had offers of help from several quarters. The staff of The Old Swan and The Mill, in Minster Lovell, where Brian and I live, collected money and bought alphabet ‘wipe & clean’ books, plus fleeces to keep the children warm during their cold winter. One lady who had heard about RTL knitted woollen jumpers, and another lady knitted woollen hats and mittens and we were gifted knitted farm animals, for “Old McDonald had a Farm”.  We have had a further hardwood table and six chairs made, and hope that when we return next Feb/March we can order one more set. We have a local carpenter who benefits from our orders. The furniture mentioned has been funded by The Lions of Carterton.

The Sai Ram Trust continues to greatly support us yearly, and donations from family, friends and neighbours mean that we can continue to fund the running costs of our Happy Days nursery. RTL sincerely thank all you wonderful people very much indeed.

Next year we shall have our major fund-raising party on August 11th, 2018 here at Minster Lovell. Thanks go to all who attended and to those who could not attend but graciously funded RTL. This year’s event, 2017 excelled by raising £4,800. We had a great day and the new event of an Auction went well. Prizes included: –

  • • A flight for 1hr in a Cessna Aircraft.
  • • A night at the Old Swan, with afternoon cream tea, dinner and English breakfast.
  • • A three day stay in a holiday cottage in Stanton, in the Cotswolds.
  • • A 6 months Yoga course.
  • • A Gallery Exhibition fine oil painting.
  • • Idlewild Hairdressers, cut and colour.
  • • A massage, and a basket of vegetables, grown locally by a supporter.

The idea for an Auction was promoted by John Osman, a retired BBC correspondent. As an extensive traveller, his career has led to him reporting from within both the Kremlin and The White House. John is the Author of 5 books; and when he heard about RTL and what we were doing in Kalimpong, he offered us a hardback cover of his Biography, with the stipulation that it was to be auctioned. I shall get back in touch with you all mid-June and give details about the yearly fundraising party.  RTL wish you all a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year.