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As Khandel light approaches its tenth anniversary, the inhabitants of Khandel and the surrounding villages have endured the region’s most difficult year since the Charity was founded in 2000.
2009’s drought was the worst in 100 years, affecting 28 of the 33 districts in the state of Rajasthan. Animals faced starvation and villagers, already used to coping with meagre supplies of water, were left thirsty. Crop failure meant hunger, which contributed to deteriorating health. The situation was exacerbated by rising prices, and drastic action was called for.
Since Khandel light was established, the programmes it funds have both expanded and been extended. The Charity has provided water houses and drinking water, latrines, Jeewan Jyoti dwellings, roofs for the roofless, health-workers, health programmes, education and employment projects.
However, such was the gravity of the situation precipitated by the drought in autumn that there was no choice but to divert funds from latrine building to water houses, and the Jeewan Jyoti building was halted. Water is fundamental to life and health. Khandel light also sent out extra funds to purchase more drinking water, dry fodder, medical aid and food packets. The distribution is being prioritised according to need.
The fragile situation in Khandel means that trustees of Khandel light are monitoring priorities regularly. It is clear that clean water provision must remain a prime concern. It also seems clear that, with the possibility of a permanent change in the climate, extending access to education is the most effective way to equip villagers for an uncertain future. For this, the Charity’s tenth anniversary year, the Charity hopes to increase the number of water houses to 1,000 and to raise significantly from 100 the number of children sponsored through its education scheme.
A water house costs £62 and provides safe and secure storage for two months’ drinking water for an extended family. This is about the same as the cost of educating a child for a year, £60 – just over £1 per week. In November, the number of water houses already in place stood at 462. . The good news is that, since November, that figure has risen to 520 – a true testament to the extraordinary generosity of the Charity’s supporters. 480 to go……
Amid the extreme difficulties in Khandel, there were celebrations at the marriage of the younger son of Rameshwar Lal Verma, the director of Nirman Sanstha Khandel, Khandel light’s partner non-governmental organisation. Chairman of Khandel light Dr Peter Gough and his wife and fellow trustee Bridget, took a self-funded trip to Khandel in October to join the festivities.
The visit provided an opportunity for them to gauge the impact of the Charity’s response to the emergency as well as to witness first hand its dire consequences. They saw the important difference the aid was making, and also the effect of the job-creation, which has been focussing on important home repair and maintenance.
In addition, the child sponsorship programme is proving highly effective. There are now around 100 children benefiting, with plenty of scope to increase this number within the current administrative infrastructure.
It may seem strange to talk of birthday celebrations, given the severity of the current difficulties in Khandel and the choices that these difficulties have imposed on the Charity. Yet the 10 year journey since Khandel light was registered as a charity is worthy of celebration; Khandel light began with modest ambitions to provide health workers (sahelis) to the villages around Khandel. Their remit was to educate, in the broadest sense, and to deliver health-related services.
Thus, as the Charity reviews and consolidates its programmes in the light of the current drought, it is important to see this in relation to the enormous impact that it has made over the last ten years; the achievements of Khandel light have been against a background of worsening climate conditions. For the Trustees, this has required flexibility in disbursing funds in the most effective way possible and adapting to changing priorities.
Efforts have been further strained by the deteriorating economic climate, which has militated in a consistently negative fashion; inflation, interest rates and exchange rates have all had adverse effects, and, of course, our supporters have themselves been up against the fallout from the prevailing economic gloom.
Khandel light is a special charity. Over the last ten years, it has raised almost half a million pounds because it has enjoyed the loyal and growing support of individuals, schools and other organisations and businesses. It has a band of ten dedicated volunteer trustees, which means that overheads are miniscule. The ownership and sense of belonging that is fostered by supporting a cause where funds are targeted effectively where there are needed is infectious. It seems somehow that effort is paid back with interest. THAT deserves celebration. Please celebrate with us! We need you more than ever as plans unfold for the future.
We will publicise anniversary events in this newsletter, on the website, and for up to the minute news, on FACEBOOK.
The current total is 520 – up from 462 in November. Can you help reach the goal of 1,000? How about giving something up or cutting down for a few weeks (chocolate, cigarettes, etc) and donating the money saved, or getting some sponsorship; perhaps joining forces with a friend. A water house costs just £62. If you have any ideas, let everyone know on Facebook.
Brilliant response out there. I asked if you are one of the 250 million Facebook users and already 112 of you have become fans of Khandel light. So what are the rest of you waiting for? It’s such a cool medium to stay up to date with YOUR charity. We try to frequently update the site with news and events, photos, and any other important info related to Khandel light. And you too can get involved, whether it’s listing details of any fundraising events you may be holding (a perfect way of reaching a whole new audience of potential guests), uploading your own photos or discussing your views on Khandel light topics. It also shows publicly your support for our charity! Just search for Khandel light on the search bar and click on “become a fan”. Easy! Help us to make it relevant and interesting and get your friends to do the same. Look forward to seeing what you’ve decided to do for the anniversary year!
Barkway village hall will once again be suitably adorned for an evening celebrating Valentine’s Day on Saturday 13th February. Last year’s event was hugely successful, with a lovely hot supper followed by a very lively bop. There will be a few other surprises on the night, and the ticket price to be (appropriately, as I write) frozen, at £15 each. There will be a licensed bar and a raffle. Hope to see you there.
Trustee, Bridget Gough, returns to tough training, as the lure of a balloted place in this year’s London Marathon (her 7th!!) proves impossible to resist! 26 miles pounding the streets of London is tough; if you wish to sponsor Bridget, please contact us. All proceeds to Khandel light.
Trustees will be hosting a reception to mark Khandel light’s tenth birthday at Great Chishill Village Hall on Friday the 2nd July 2010 from 7.30pm. Please come along and mark the anniversary over a glass of wine. More details will follow.
Plans are afoot for a sixties night in November. Best brush up on your dancing and brush down your sixties togs. Watch this space!
Gil Sellens has “bossed” the Barley Occasional Singing Society into performing perhaps their best ever for Khandel light on Saturday 3rd October in Barley.
The Town House was packed to capacity as guests tucked into a delicious hot supper and then heartily joined in with the singers. Feedback from the event was really positive and there was a wonderful feel good buzz about the whole evening. There are many people who made the evening possible; the performers, supporters, cooks, bottle washers, raffle prize donors and ticket sellers, and of course, Gil and Thia Sellens.
The Sikh Society at Imperial College London, held a dinner in November, very kindly choosing to support Khandel light.
Thanks to the parish of the Icknield Way Villages, who held a Gift Day in November, raising funds for Khandel light as part of the occasion.
Ros Holbrow once again found a way to get her young musicians practising and performing with a spooky theme, with the added benefit of raising funds for Khandel light. Thank you all!
The generosity of Bundle and Tony Weston and their fellow artists continued with their Christmas sale of exquisite items. Once more, 20% of all revenues were donated to Khandel light.
Warm thanks for supporting Khandel light at what seemed to be the best ever Barley Christmas market, and special thanks for the generosity of Janice Horsford with her regular dazzling array of all things Christmassy, and Sarah Bland, who was selling delightful Christmas gifts.
Tilly Thatcher epitomised everything that Khandel light stands for, when the twelve year old supporter organised her own Christmas sale at her home and went ahead despite the challenges of the awful pre-Christmas weather. Tilly, ably assisted by her sisters and their best friends, sold home-made cakes, decorations, lavender hearts and pottery. In addition, she was a very successful advocate of the Charity, promoting it to her school, St John’s, Cambridge; a real demonstration of Girl Power!
Don’t forget the mad medics, Dr James Gough and Mr Hywel James will be running the arduous Marathon des Sables this April in aid of three charities, including Khandel light (unfortunately, Captain Will Gough is no longer able to participate). The race across the Sahara desert in Morocco (known as the hardest footrace on earth) is the equivalent of five and a half regular
marathons, and is a real test of stamina and endurance; all sponsorship welcome.
The Bishop’s Stortford High School invited the Charity in to make its first presentation there. Thank you – we hope to work together to raise funds. Thank you to St Faith’s in Cambridge, who again raised a substantial sum, and to Newport Free Grammar School, constant supporters, and where it all began!
Thanks also to St John’s school in Cambridge for supporting the Charity from its Carol service collection, and to Steeple Morden School for your ongoing support and for naming Khandel light as your charity for the year.
We are hopeful that schools will play a role in our anniversary fund-raising.
Trustees greatly value the relationship that has developed with schools; not only for the funds they raise but also for the platform with which they provide us to spread awareness of Khandel light’s work. Trustees value the two-way relationship, as the ingenuity and ideas of youngsters inspires us. Hopefully, many of our young supporters will go forward in their lives spreading the message! Meanwhile, keep signing up to Facebook and keep tuning in!
The ten volunteer trustees, who manage Khandel light, work hard to make the Charity as efficient and effective as possible. Perhaps one of the most cited comments from supporters is the Charity’s transparency and the fact that funds are targeted directly where they are needed. The Trustees bring a wide range of skills to the Charity; each has their own experience and expertise, which together make the work possible.
Since the Charity was established in 2000, Helen Melville Smith has worked tirelessly in her role as treasurer. Helen is very modest, but it is no exaggeration to say that her work has underpinned the Charity’s success. Not only does she operate in a highly professional manner, but she is also a pleasure to work with. Helen will be stepping down from the post in April to create the space for other pursuits and the Trustees will miss her hugely. In her usual style, she will be facilitating a smooth transition for her successor James Setchell, whom Trustees very much look forward to welcoming on board.
As mentioned above, in the Charity’s 10th anniversary year it hopes to reach a target of 1,000 water houses, and to increase the number of children sponsored to participate in education. These are highly ambitious targets, given the prevailing difficulties.
For the past ten years, you have been remarkable in your generosity and in your loyalty. Your support is never taken for granted; funds have come in amounts large and small and each donation matters because it contributes to
the total. Trustees not only recognise the importance of the partnership that exists between them and supporters, but also the non-pecuniary benefits that arise from this; through supporting another community, friendships have been formed, community ties have been strengthened, and from the youngest to the oldest we have found our collective power. We look forward to working with you this year: together we make a difference!
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