Thursday, April 8, 2010

March 2010 Update

During March, temperatures have been above average (in the 40's) with no real rainfall over most of the district. Unfortunately the continued dry weather and heat were too much for the watermelon plants which started to wilt. Local villagers stole some of the crop and the boys ate those that could be salvaged. We've decided that while water is scarce, we'll concentrate on watering the veggie gardens and plant some areas with cow and goat fodder to ensure there is enough green vegetation to keep the animals well fed.

The cow and calf are going well, producing 14-15 litres of milk a day and generating our first income. Being able to eat the veggies from our gardens has also resulted in savings at the local produce markets. Construction work has continued on the outdoor cooking area, finishing the feeding troughs for the cows, fencing around the well and a shelter for the vehicles.

Israel's been busy with finalising the registration of the home and preparing for our first Indian Audit. A number of Government Departments dropped by for surprise inspections and were very happy with the facilities and the care given to the boys.

Once the registration and auditing are completed, and we get some decent rain, we'll buy our next two cows and calves and some more goats. Around June we aim to start our village goat rearing scheme where we will supply pairs of baby goats to poor village families. They will raise them for 6 months and then the goats will be sold. The family will keep the income from one and the income from the other will be used to buy 2 more goats for another family. So far we've been given enough money to buy our first 29 goats. Our goal is to give out 40 goats every 6 months.

The boys are busy studying for their end of year exams to be held in April. Afterwards they'll have 4 weeks holidays and will relax, help around the farm, and attend a Kid's Holiday Camp with lots of games, stories, singing and craft.


The baby goats were finally born and we now have 2 more boys to add to the number.


Looking down on the roof of the new outdoor cooking area at the rear of the kitchen building.


Fence posts in position ready to improve safety around the well.


The vehicles under the new vehicle shelter.


A large pile of straw was delivered to help feed the animals.


The boys helping to move and re-stack the straw.

Geoff and Karen's February Visit

In February we headed back over to Shalom to see how everything was progressing and make plans for 2010's project development activities. It was great to see the boys again. The night we arrived at Shalom, they greeted us with a firecracker display, and Geoff loved the chance to let off a few bungers himself. The boys were all well, growing taller, studying hard in the mornings and evenings, and helping with jobs around the farm. Their December exam marks showed everyone had passed and 2 of the boys were in the top 5 in their classes, which is a fantastic effort. Their English is improving much faster than our Tamil, and each visit its easier to chat and communicate with them.

The farming side of things is slowly developing. There were lots of chickens everywhere, 6 goats, one due to give birth soon, and one of the dogs had just had 3 puppies. The boys took Karen on a grand tour of the fields and enjoyed pointing out all the different veggies, watermelons and banana plants. During our second week, we went cow shopping and thanks to Kenmore Baptist Church (KBC) Kid's Church we now have our first cow and calf.

Unfortunately the continued drought conditions are inhibiting the full development of the farming activities. The irrigation bore supplies enough water for our current number of animals and about a quarter of the land. However to cultivate the rest of the fields and support 10 cows and 30 goats, we need to get good monsoon rains each year.

Israel continues to do a great job looking after everything and everybody. We discussed plans for expanding the income generating activities and worked on business plans for the cows and goats; visited tailoring businesses; goat breeding farms; and talked with a group of widows in Madurai who we want to help find ways to earn income.


Geoff and Karen with the boys at church in Madurai.


Israel with the boys checking out photos on the laptop.


Karen with some of the boys on the front steps at Shalom.


Saturday afternoon rest time for everyone including Geoff.


Joshua, Potti and Kalimuthu with the irrigation bore and tank.


The veggie gardens. The taller plants are food for the goats.


Irrigating the banana plants.


Every day the gardens produce a fresh batch of veggies.


One of the goats is due to have babies in March.


The new cow and calf arriving from a nearby village.


The baby calf is very cute. When it's full grown it will also supply milk.


The man in blue is Ponnumani's Grandfather, he came to live with the boys and tend to the crops.


The boys showing off the drawings they drew to thank KBC Kid's church for the new cow and calf.


Kalimuthu and Divagar with their drawings.


Meeting with a group of widows in Madurai to discuss ideas to help them find work


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Current Opportunities To Support The Work Of Shalom Home

We're not big into fundraising and instead prefer to simply share with people what's happening over at Shalom, and then trust God to provide what is needed when it is needed. So far He has been very faithful in His provision and thanks to many generous gifts, we've been able to achieve a great deal since construction started in January 2009.

Many have asked us how they can help support the work of Shalom, so here's a couple of suggestions.

If you'd like to support the work of Shalom Home on a regular basis we are still looking for sponsors for a number of the boys. ($40AUD a month)

We're also planning to start our village goat rearing scheme mid year. $50AUD buys a pair of baby goats which will help a poor village family earn income.

Please contact us if you'd like find out more about either of these ways of supporting the project.