Dear friends and supporters,
As 2020 draws to a close, and Christmas prompts us to think about family and friends, we’ve been reflecting on how this year has affected Darjeeling Children’s Trust, both in India and in the UK. We’ve been able to adapt seamlessly to holding Trustee meetings by video call, and we’ve held some great virtual fundraising events, like our series of online tea parties over the summer. We were also delighted that work has been able to continue at the site of the Kripasaran Children’s Home; thanks to the generosity of our supporters the staff quarters have now been completed and work has now started on the children’s Activity Room. You can see the bright new accommodation, and the ongoing building work, in the pictures here. Especially this year, it has been great to see progress being made towards completion of the children’s home, so that they can enjoy the full space and have a comfortable home in which to play.
Back in the UK we’re also planning for the future and have just launched a recruitment campaign for a new Treasurer. If you or someone you know has an accountancy background and would like to be part of our team of lovely Trustees, we’d love to hear from you.
Of course, despite these successes, times have been hard. We are so grateful for the generosity of our wonderful supporters, who have kept us going in many different ways throughout this year. Life in Darjeeling has been really difficult, and our thoughts are with all the children and young people whose education has been disrupted and who are living with restrictions, especially those who cannot access online learning or who are confined to umcomfortable or cramped homes. I’m pleased to say our older sponsored children are receiving extra tuition over the winter in advance of exams next year. While we look forward with hope to a vaccine in the UK, it’s likely to be some time before any such remedy reaches the hills. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that our vocational training students and sponsored children can get back into the classroom as soon as possible next year.
Thank you so much for your support this year. Even during a global pandemic your donations and support are changing the lives of children and young people. From all of us at Darjeeling Children’s Trust, may your Christmas and New Year be happy and healthy, and here’s to a great 2021.
Katherine Carr
Chair, Darjeeling Children’s Trust
