Ashadeep medical outreach camps

February Newsletter

Click on the link above to read latest news-

We were pleased to be able to offer two medical camps this month. Claire, visiting from Manchester, ably assisted us along with Ashadeep staff and volunteers. Our new opthalmologist provided an additional dimension to the camps. We have  planned at least one camp each month this year. Volunteers from abroad are always welcome to join us - no particular skill is needed, just willingness to support the day’s activities.

Tailoring and medical camps

November 2011 News Letter

November Project Report Tailoring, 2011

Hoping to save Mark a job and post latest newsletters on our blog – though it’s so long since I’ve done the deed that I’ve already had two aborted attempts! Third time lucky??

St Matthews School , Jhadol

Attached is a powerpoint presentation about St Matthews School , Jhadol which was established over the summer

Although I hasten to add this project has been not been financed by I-connect, it is a great example of what can be achieved by our partners NMM and St Matthews School in progressing education. The poor quality of schools in rural areas is a major barrier to economic progress in Rajasthan, and Jhadol is one of the poorest districts in ths State.

If anyone would like to contribute via I-connect for the further development of Jhadol School , please visit out just giving page ( link attached) and note the purpose of the donation or contact me at markspeller@dunelm.org.uk

St Matthews School Jhadol

Thanks

Mark

Update at last !!

Firstly may I apologise for the length of time since the last update, unfortunately life has been rather busy over the past 4 months and I-connect’s communications have suffered.

At the end of this month I shall be travelling to Udaipur and shall compile fuller reports of progress on all I-connect sponsored projects whilst out there. In order to give you a brief summary of progress over the summer

- Pragati Marg Foundation (PMF) has now been registered as a charitable company in India , and is now operating phase 2 of the pilot microfinance programmes
- NMM are developing plans for the expansion of health provision into rural areas( further updates later)
- St Matthews School continues to thrive and develop
- I-connect Trustee Janet Halford is living on campus in Udaipur and is inputting into development plans for community projects

I am compiling a supporters distribution list for email updates. If you would like to be included in this list please email me at markspeller@dunelm.org.uk

Thank you

Mark

Pragati Marg Foundation ( Microfinance)

Whilst in India earlier this year I had the  privelege of working on an exciting new project to set up a community development company based in Udaipur. This company Pragati Marg Foundation (PMF) will run microfinance schemes, social enterprises and other community development schemes to benefit poor communities initially in Rajasthan and later across other regions of India .

We are looking for supporters  who would be prepared to donate or loan money to “pump-prime” the scheme .

To find out more please download the introduction leaflet . For full details you can download the PMF Prospectus booklet ( right click on the file and choose “Save as” )

Thanks

Mark

Introducing PMF va

PMF Prospectus

Supporters Meeting with Finny 3rd May

.. Finny Philip leader of NMM is visiting the UK at the beginning of May and we are having an informal supporter’s meeting which will give a chance to meet Finny and catch up with what is happening with I-connect’s projects on :-

Tuesday 3rd May 8 pm

Venue 11 Leicestershire Drive (off Devonshire Road),Belmont, Durham DH1 2DB ( contact markspeller@dunelm.org.uk for directions)

Also as part of Emmanuel Church’s meeting at 7.45 pm Weds 4th May there will be a presentation on the microfinance project , to which all are welcome

Encouraging progress

Here is the latest news from the Jeevan Jyoti tailoring centre and St. Matthews’ School. Click on the link to open.

February_News_Letter2.10

Over in Udaipur

.. I’m over in Udaipur for until the end of February working with Debidutta on the development of the “microfinance” scheme. We have been working on the  setting up a “charitable company” to run the scheme.  I shan’t bore you with the technical details but I’ll post more detail later on when we get to the more interesting aspects of the business planning

Last week we travelled up to Makadedeo to a pastor’s conference, after which I had the chance to visit one of the farns on the pilot scheme and see some “Jacobs flock” goats

Jacobs Flock Goat

Shantar Bhai and wife

Musli crop

I’m enjoying my time out here , if you want a more personal perspective please go to www.markspeller.wordpress.com

Thanks

Mark

December Newsletter

 Please find attached the latest December newsletter, with details of the microfinance crop pilot schemes

These schemes have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of villagers

Watch this space for updates from my visit to Udaipur in January

Happy Christmas

Mark

December News Letter pdf

November Newsletter

..Attached is the November newsletter about the water filter at Pai , and the Ashadeep clinic

Regards

Mark

November News Letter