Everyone lent a hand to clear weeds and remove stones ready for planting
Water flowing from the bore through the water channels
The boys watching the water flowing out into the fields
Some of the newly planted vegies
Sunday, December 13, 2009
December 13 Update
After the initial week of heavy rain in November, it took awhile for the land to dry out enough for another field to be re-ploughed ready for planting. The boys helped clear away stones and weeds, and some watermelon seedlings have been planted. Even though its monsoon time, this part of Tamil Nadu hasn't had good follow-up rain this month, so the bore water was used to soak the ground again before planting could take place. At the moment water is sent down channels dug between the fields, but soon we hope to have underground pipes that can be used to direct the water to specific areas as required.
Everyone lent a hand to clear weeds and remove stones ready for planting
Water flowing from the bore through the water channels
The boys watching the water flowing out into the fields
Some of the newly planted vegies
Everyone lent a hand to clear weeds and remove stones ready for planting
Water flowing from the bore through the water channels
The boys watching the water flowing out into the fields
Some of the newly planted vegies
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
November News
Hooray! The rains have finally come...but when the monsoon breaks in India, it pours. The boys recently woke up to find a huge puddle of water surrounding them. The only way out was to wade through the water, and the bus was bogged for a couple of days.
The Home and bus surrounded by water.
The latest news
The baby goats are getting bigger now.
The Home and bus surrounded by water.
The latest news
- Thanks to the rain and our new bore, vegetable gardens and more banana trees are now being planted.
- Unfortunately the rain has delayed work on the cow shed, but once it's done, Israel will buy the KBC Kid's Church cow.
- One of the boy's Grandfathers has been appointed as the new cow and farm caretaker. His farming experience will be invaluable as Israel works to establish the farming side of things.
- The nights are getting chillier, but thanks to the gift of new blankets from a local Pastor and his family, the boys are keeping warm.
- Israel's been having trouble finding a replacement tutor from the local area, but it looks like Christy, (our old tutor) will be able to come out a few times from Madurai to help the boys on the weekends.
- We now have sponsors for 3 of the boys, for which we are very thankful.
The baby goats are getting bigger now.
October News - Karen's Visit
During October, I (Karen) had the chance to visit the boys and spend some time with Pastor Daniel and his family. It was great to see the boys well settled into the Home and everything going well at their new schools. Unfortunately the delay of the monsoon meant only one field of corn and a few banana trees had been planted. Many farms in the area hadn't been able to plant any crops due to the lack of water, but thanks to a donation from one of Geoff's cousins, we were able to sink an irrigation bore during my visit. The new bore and and irrigation system will ensure crops can be planted and watered all year round. I've posted some photos below taken during my visit.
Some of the boys enjoying breakfast in the dining hall.
Morning study time.
Washing clothes.
The partially constructed cow shed.
We now have 5 goats, 3 chickens, 3 turkeys, 5 peahens and 2 dogs.
Getting ready to drill for water.
Water was struck at 85ft but drilling continued to 300ft.
A submersible pump was positioned at 270ft.
Thanks to a donation from the King Small Group at KBC, we took the boys to the Water Park as a treat.
The boys had never done anything like this before, and they had a great time.
Karen trying to keep out of the sun.
Israel, Matthew and the boys at the Water Park.
Beulah giving the Year 9 boys a Maths lesson.
Karen and the boys at the front of Pastor Daniel's Church
.
You can see from this picture how dry everything was. The green bits are our field of corn and grass for the goats.
We attended a special meeting and served lunch to a group of blind people.
50 blind people came from surrounding villages.
We also presented them with gifts of new clothes.
The boys with some gifts from Australia. Toothbrushes, textas and bookmarks.
Some of the boys enjoying breakfast in the dining hall.
Morning study time.
Washing clothes.
The partially constructed cow shed.
We now have 5 goats, 3 chickens, 3 turkeys, 5 peahens and 2 dogs.
Getting ready to drill for water.
Water was struck at 85ft but drilling continued to 300ft.
A submersible pump was positioned at 270ft.
Thanks to a donation from the King Small Group at KBC, we took the boys to the Water Park as a treat.
The boys had never done anything like this before, and they had a great time.
Karen trying to keep out of the sun.
Israel, Matthew and the boys at the Water Park.
Beulah giving the Year 9 boys a Maths lesson.
Karen and the boys at the front of Pastor Daniel's Church
.
You can see from this picture how dry everything was. The green bits are our field of corn and grass for the goats.
We attended a special meeting and served lunch to a group of blind people.
50 blind people came from surrounding villages.
We also presented them with gifts of new clothes.
The boys with some gifts from Australia. Toothbrushes, textas and bookmarks.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
September 2009 News
The monsoon is still holding off but the fields have been ploughed again in the hope of enough rain soon to start planting rice. This month Swine flu has been starting to effect people in India and the change of climate has meant a few of the boys have had colds and fevers but nothing serious. The boys will have more examinations again this month so they are studying hard in the evenings. Israel sourced some second-hand materials for the milking shed saving half the construction costs and the shed should be finished by the end of the month. Kenmore Baptist Kid’s Church group made crafts and baked goodies for Fathers Day and raised enough money to buy Shalom’s first cow. What a fantastic effort by the kids and their leaders. In October Karen is heading back over for about 3 weeks and will spend time with the boys and start planning next year’s activities with Israel and Daniel. Hopefully she’ll get to see the rice planted and go cow shopping.
Please watch this space for more updates and photos.
Please watch this space for more updates and photos.
End of June to October 2009
27 June 2009
With the monsoon delayed, the water in the well dried up by the end of June. There were lots of fish in the water, so the older boys climbed down and caught enough to cook up for lunch.
27 June 2009
Showing off some of the fish they caught.
9 July 2009
All 19 boys in their new school uniforms. The younger ones have two sets in different colours.
24 July 2009
Some of the boys with their new puppy and turkeys.
8 August 2009
For safety, a gate has been installed to stop local farmers taking shortcuts through the property with trucks and bullock carts.
With the monsoon delayed, the water in the well dried up by the end of June. There were lots of fish in the water, so the older boys climbed down and caught enough to cook up for lunch.
27 June 2009
Showing off some of the fish they caught.
9 July 2009
All 19 boys in their new school uniforms. The younger ones have two sets in different colours.
24 July 2009
Some of the boys with their new puppy and turkeys.
8 August 2009
For safety, a gate has been installed to stop local farmers taking shortcuts through the property with trucks and bullock carts.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Hales Visit June 9 - 24 2009
With the boys ready to move in, Geoff and I headed over to India
11 June 2009
Geoff with the high school boys, Israel, Roslin and Jaya visiting a small dam on the other side of the mountain behind the home.
11 June 2009
Using some money donated by friends back in Australia we bought two bikes and some sporting gear for the boys to use.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
It took half an hour, two ladies and a dozen safety pins to dress Karen in this beautiful sari.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
A banner was hung on the front of the kitchen building to thank the people of Kenmore Baptist Church who paid for its construction.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
Some of the boys hamming it up for a photo in front of the main dedication plaque.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
A big marquee was erected in front of the buildings and about 300 people attended the ceremony and then enjoyed lunch afterwards.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
Another banner thanked Global Development Group and Australian families for help in building the home.
15 June 2009
With the dedication ceremony completed, it was back to shopping for plumbing supplies. The Shalom bus came in very handy for transporting materials.
15 June 2009
We visited a nearby dairy to see the type of cow shed Israel plans to construct. Israel's aim is to keep 10 cows to supply milk for the home and sell the excess.
15 June 2009
Some of the ladies from the local village who were employed to help with the building work.
16 June 2009
A view from inside the main building looking across neighbouring corn fields to the mountains.
16 June 2009
Israel looks on as the plumbers install pipe work to the kitchen and toilet.
17 June 2009
When we visited the younger boy's school in the village, we were mobbed by hundreds of excited children.
17 June 2009
We visited all the boy's classrooms and met their teachers. Most of the boys are the first generation in their family to attend school.
17 June 2009
After school we went to Alanganallur so the younger boys could be measured for their school uniforms.
17 June 2009
Inside the bus ready to drive home.
17 June 2009
The boys with their shopping bags.
17 June 2009
Watching the afternoon game of cricket with some of the younger boys.
17 June 2009
At 6pm it's time for everyone to start their homework.
18 June 2009
With the water in the existing well only suitable for irrigation and farming, a new bore was needed to supply drinking water.
18 June 2009
The drilling took about 8 hours and finished around 2am. Water was struck at 50ft, but drilling continued to approx 170ft to ensure safe water even during times of drought.
19 June 2009
Safe water is needed not only for drinking and cooking, but also farming and crops.
... washing clothes ...
... cleaning teeth ...
... and morning bath time.
19 June 2009
The youngest boys in their brand new uniforms ready to walk to school.
19 June 2009
Shopping in Madurai for new shoes, shorts and shirts. Some of the new boys owned very little clothing and some had never owned a pair of shoes.
19 June 2009
Trying on sandals at the shoe shop.
20 June 2009
On the weekends everyone stretches out on the floor for an afternoon nap.
21 June 2009
A nice photo in front of the dining hall.
21 June 2009
Geoff surrounded by his buddies.
22 June 2009
Selvamani the cook, with her two boys.
22 June 2009
The older boys ready to ride to school, two to a bike. The trip takes about half an hour.
22 June 2009
Inside the kitchen the shelves are stocked with vegetables, spices and pulses. The new fridge was donated by a family from Kenmore Baptist Church.
24 June 2009
On our last day we presented the boys with their new shorts and shirts.
24 June 2009
We also prayed a blessing over each of them.
24 June 2009
Geoff with Israel and Pastor Daniel.
24 June 2009
Karen with Angel and Elizabeth.
To see some video images taken during our June visit please click on the Shalom Hales Visit 2009 video link in the right hand column.
11 June 2009
Geoff with the high school boys, Israel, Roslin and Jaya visiting a small dam on the other side of the mountain behind the home.
11 June 2009
Using some money donated by friends back in Australia we bought two bikes and some sporting gear for the boys to use.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
It took half an hour, two ladies and a dozen safety pins to dress Karen in this beautiful sari.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
A banner was hung on the front of the kitchen building to thank the people of Kenmore Baptist Church who paid for its construction.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
Some of the boys hamming it up for a photo in front of the main dedication plaque.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
A big marquee was erected in front of the buildings and about 300 people attended the ceremony and then enjoyed lunch afterwards.
13 June 2009 Building Dedication Day
Another banner thanked Global Development Group and Australian families for help in building the home.
15 June 2009
With the dedication ceremony completed, it was back to shopping for plumbing supplies. The Shalom bus came in very handy for transporting materials.
15 June 2009
We visited a nearby dairy to see the type of cow shed Israel plans to construct. Israel's aim is to keep 10 cows to supply milk for the home and sell the excess.
15 June 2009
Some of the ladies from the local village who were employed to help with the building work.
16 June 2009
A view from inside the main building looking across neighbouring corn fields to the mountains.
16 June 2009
Israel looks on as the plumbers install pipe work to the kitchen and toilet.
17 June 2009
When we visited the younger boy's school in the village, we were mobbed by hundreds of excited children.
17 June 2009
We visited all the boy's classrooms and met their teachers. Most of the boys are the first generation in their family to attend school.
17 June 2009
After school we went to Alanganallur so the younger boys could be measured for their school uniforms.
17 June 2009
Inside the bus ready to drive home.
17 June 2009
The boys with their shopping bags.
17 June 2009
Watching the afternoon game of cricket with some of the younger boys.
17 June 2009
At 6pm it's time for everyone to start their homework.
18 June 2009
With the water in the existing well only suitable for irrigation and farming, a new bore was needed to supply drinking water.
18 June 2009
The drilling took about 8 hours and finished around 2am. Water was struck at 50ft, but drilling continued to approx 170ft to ensure safe water even during times of drought.
19 June 2009
Safe water is needed not only for drinking and cooking, but also farming and crops.
... washing clothes ...
... cleaning teeth ...
... and morning bath time.
19 June 2009
The youngest boys in their brand new uniforms ready to walk to school.
19 June 2009
Shopping in Madurai for new shoes, shorts and shirts. Some of the new boys owned very little clothing and some had never owned a pair of shoes.
19 June 2009
Trying on sandals at the shoe shop.
20 June 2009
On the weekends everyone stretches out on the floor for an afternoon nap.
21 June 2009
A nice photo in front of the dining hall.
21 June 2009
Geoff surrounded by his buddies.
22 June 2009
Selvamani the cook, with her two boys.
22 June 2009
The older boys ready to ride to school, two to a bike. The trip takes about half an hour.
22 June 2009
Inside the kitchen the shelves are stocked with vegetables, spices and pulses. The new fridge was donated by a family from Kenmore Baptist Church.
24 June 2009
On our last day we presented the boys with their new shorts and shirts.
24 June 2009
We also prayed a blessing over each of them.
24 June 2009
Geoff with Israel and Pastor Daniel.
24 June 2009
Karen with Angel and Elizabeth.
To see some video images taken during our June visit please click on the Shalom Hales Visit 2009 video link in the right hand column.
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