Here's what I am doing and why.
In
Bradford on Avon, where we live, there exists a wonderful charity. It
is called the Elizabeth- Ann Charity (reg.1113374) and it is named
in honour of the daughter of Michael and Julie Davies, Elizabeth-Ann,
who died suddenly when she was just 16. Michael and Julie
have set up and helped to sustain two projects in Southern
India: one a school and one a children's home They are staffed by local teachers and helpers and do a
fantastic job in sometimes challenging circumstances. Sometimes
volunteers from the U.K. go out, too. And lots of other projects, too -- such as a microfinance initiative in village communities.
I greatly admire what Michael and Julie have built here but, also, as a mother, I take my hat off to them for responding in this way to their loss. And, of course, if you know much about me, you'll know I have spent a lot of time in India (and South Asia more generally) and how much I love it. SO I am fund raising for this small but dynamic charity as a precursor to my visit to India in September; there I will support some of the teaching at Golden Bells School (not so far from Madras -- that's Chennai these days). On this trip I also want to be able to hand over some funds to Vidya, the school's Head. Then, she will be able to buy some much needed items locally -- probably science equipment. So, you are not funding any part of my trip, but only enabling me to give over much needed financial resources to her. And your sterling will buy some good things in Chennai!
WHAT AM I DOING??
In keeping with what I do and who I am, it's a sponsored writeathon. If you follow this link to blogspot.....you'll see that, every day, I'll be writing you a poem or a short story. This is my original work; I will not be drawing on published pieces, but may refer to my travel diaries or notebooks now and then. Mainly, though, it's new and written, for the first time, that day. This is quite an unusual idea, but I pledge to do it -- and, by the beginning of August, I will have a text that can be edited and published in a complete form as a fund raising book for the Elizabeth Ann Charity.
Here it is -- and we're off!!!
http://rainbowoverbengal.blogspot.com
Anna
xxxx
And here is the information from Just Giving to reassure you if you have not encountered this site before. The text is theirs and goes thus....
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
And now here's what I am doing and why.
In Bradford on Avon, where we live, there exists a wonderful charity. It is called the Elizabeth Ann Trust (reg.1113374) and it is named in honour of the daughter of Michael and Julie Davies, Elizabeth Ann, who died suddenly not long before her GCSE results. Michael and Julie have set up and helped to sustain two education projects in Southern India. These schools are staffed by local teachers and helpers and do a fantastic job in sometimes challenging circumstances. Sometimes volunteers from the U.K. go out, too.
I greatly admire what Michael and Julie have built here but, also, as a mother, I take my hat off to them for responding in this way to their loss. And, of course, if you know much about me, you'll know I have spent a lot of time in India (and South Asia more generally) and how much I love it. SO I am fund raising for this small but dynamic charity as a precursor to my visit to India in September; there I will support some of the teaching at Golden Bells School (not so far from Madras -- that's Chennai these days). On this trip I also want to be able to hand over some funds to Vidya, the school's Head. Then, she will be able to buy some much needed items locally -- probably science equipment. So, you are not funding any part of my trip, but only enabling me to give over much needed financial resources to her. And your sterling will buy some good things in Chennai!
WHAT AM I DOING??
In keeping with what I do and who I am, it's a sponsored writeathon. If you follow this link to blogspot.....you'll see that, every day, I'll be writing you a poem or a short story. This is my original work; I will not be drawing on published pieces, but may refer to my travel diaries or notebooks now and then. Mainly, though, it's new and written, for the first time, that day. This is quite an unusual idea, but I pledge to do it -- and, by the beginning of August, I will have a text that can be edited and published in a complete form as a fund raising book for the Elizabeth Ann Charity.
Here it is -- and we're off!!!
http://rainbowoverbengal.blogspot.com
Anna xxxx
