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.

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.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Hales Visit June 9 - 24 2009

With the boys ready to move in, Geoff and I headed over to India in time for the dedication ceremony. It was great to see everyone again and meet the new boys. The following photos show a little of what we did.

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.