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March 2013 News from Khandel
Survey of the work of NSKTrustees have just received a report from Nirman Sanstha, Khandel, Khandel light’s partner non-governmental organisation, through which all funds are channelled. The fascinating and informative independent report was commissioned by NSK and will shortly be available to read on Khandel light’s website (www.khandel-light.co.uk). It sought to examine the socio-economic impact of NSK’s work, interacting closely with the villagers themselves. The resulting report serves therefore both as a review of achievements to date and a means of informing future strategic decisions.
The report makes fascinating reading, and strongly praises the efficacy of the partnership between Khandel light and NSK. It concludes that: “Khandel light, which is the real force behind all the activities of Nirman Sanstha, should continue the support as before and also encourage them to go for new initiatives which can bring a new ray of hope in the lives of the people living in this area”.
Decision to extend Health worker programme As documented in the last newsletter, the reduction in Khandel light’s budget brought about by economic pressures, led to NSK’s contraction in the health workers programme. While this resulted in an immediate cost saving and a preservation of crucial front-line work, it also reduces the scope of some of the longer-term work. Because the work carried out by the health workers is considered so fundamental to Khandel light’s mission and to effecting permanent improvements to the life chances of villagers in and around Khandel, Trustees have assessed this decision and, decided to commit to expanding to 15 the number of health workers it finances. With Khandel light’s funding, health workers (sahelis) have been responsible for extending basic literacy to over 5,200 women. This is a huge step in raising the hopes and self-esteem of women, an effect that permeates throughout the community. The health workers have also provided basic education to women, including areas such as hygiene, sanitation and birth control, which have contributed to better health and a reduction in the birth rate. Raising the status of women remains one of the cornerstones of Khandel light’s work, both for its own sake and also because empowering women is always a pre-requisite to social change. Mothers, as the first teachers of their children, transmit the messages of change and so raise esteem, hopes and aspirations. Two recent high-profile stories underline the importance of changing the perception and status of women in society. The rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi has unleashed an unprecedented response in campaigning for women’s rights. Meanwhile, thecourage of the young girl, Malala Yousufzai, in Pakistan in risking her life to campaign for the right of girls to an education really does highlight the understanding of education’s pivotal role in improving society and working towards equality. The trustees of the Charity are already looking into ways of raising the money – around £6,000 annually – to fund this vital work, so watch this space. With the amazing and loyal support that Khandel light has been privileged to enjoy over the years, the Charity is confident of achieving its goal. We are grateful to the St Albans Rotarians for their support in this endeavour.
News from Home
Fundraising year ends on a high note!! Celebrity Jaye Griffiths takes to THE Black Chair for Khandel light!There was much excitement when news emerged that local actor Jaye Griffiths had chosen Khandel light as the charity that would benefit from her three and a half minute stint in the infamous black chair on TV’s Mastermind. Jaye has been a familiar face on TV for many years, most recently in Silent Witness. Jaye certainly knew her stuff. Her specialist subject was the Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna. In a closely contested competition broadcast on New Year’s Day, Jaye performed brilliantly, resulting in a magnificent £2,750 boost to the Charity’s funds. It was such a thrill to see Khandel light’s name flash across the screen of national TV to an audience of around five million people. This in turn led to features on BBC local radio station, further raising Khandel light’s profile. Jaye will be supporting Khandel light again, running the Milton Keynes Marathon for the Charity on 6th May. Thank you so much, Jaye for everything!
Full Diary and Full House as Charity stages two “firsts”... More questions than answers? Clare McPartland proved a very able quizmaster as she took charge of proceedings at Barley Town House in September. Having devoted many hours to producing a quiz with a difference, all the hard work paid off. The event was a sell-out, and with two teams from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, the atmosphere was very competitive! The evening was really excellent, great atmosphere and a delicious supper provided by Trustees. Lots of lovely raffle prizes were donated, including dinner for two as the prize for Clare’s Heads and Tails competition. Thanks to all who attended, helped and gave prizes. Octobers Ceilidh Khandel light’s first ever Ceilidh was on what turned out to be one of the busiest weekends locally, with many other events also taking place. This required a leap of faith in going ahead, and marketing the event more widely. The result was amazing, as more and more Ceilidh enthusiasts emerged. The result proved a lovely opportunity to meet many new faces, and the evening was a huge success with Great Chishill Village Hall packed to capacity. The Cambridge University Ceilidh Band did us proud and the whole event was great fun. We had fantastic feedback that included comments on what good value we offered. Thanks again to all involved in whatever way. Not only did we decide that we will definitely do this again in 2013, we have already booked Great Chishill Village Hall for 30th November!! Christmas Market Thanks as always for supporting Khandel light at December’s two Christmas Markets. It is always good to catch up with supporters in person. Thanks, as ever, to Janice Horsford who was selling her lovely festive goodies in Chrishall and gave a generous donation of proceeds to the Charity. Coming up... 2013 Marathon team Once again Khandel light is being supported by an incredible team of athletes running the Virgin London Marathon. Bridget Gough continues her remarkable series, joined on the 21st April by by Mike Critchley, Guy Musson, Amanda Rutter and Laura Thompson. If you have ever watched the race from the roadside (which I really do recommend) you will appreciate what an achievement completing this run is, and how emotional it is too! We wish all the team every success and hope you will join us by supporting their amazing efforts. If you would like to sponsor them here are the links to their sponsorship pages: www.virginmoneygiving.com/MikeCritchley www.virginmoneygiving.com/guymusson www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/amandaandlaura www.virginmoneygiving.com/BridgetGough1 New Member of the Khandel light Team Trustees are delighted to welcome aboard Kate Hurst. Kate has a wealth of experience in education and has been a long-standing supporter of Khandel light. The Charity is already benefiting from her energy and creative ideas. Schools We have had a number of school visits recently with more to come! Thanks for welcoming us along, Derwent Lodge School in Tonbridge, and for the proceeds of your cake sale. The presentation at Derwent Lodge completed a week themed on water awareness that had clearly had an impact on pupils and staff alike. It was lovely to extend the Khandel light community, meet such delightful pupils and to address their really well thought out questions!
Meanwhile, The Perse Prep School in Cambridge played host to the first ever live link with the Monthly Meeting in Khandel. The technology was not brilliant, but there was much excitement as meeting attendees heard pupils in Cambridge shouting “Ram ram” loud and clear. The school hall was then filled with a lovely song from Khandel sung in the their honour! Thanks so much to Guy Musson, teacher at the Perse, who will be running the London Marathon for Khandel light, and to pupils of the school who ran a mini-marathon for the Charity.
Thanks also to Princess Helena and Edwinstree Schools for welcoming us in and to Tannery Drift for your brilliant fundraising efforts! Khandel light supporter Reg Thompson has launched a new Facebook page (write charlie’s name) to commemorate the 21st birthday of his daughter Charlie, who died in 2005. The page is a showcase for a set of truly amazing photographs from around the world taken, often by complete strangers, in memory of Charlie. Reg hopes that if the page gets enough likes, it will be possible to publish a book of the pictures to raise money to educate – and thus empower – children in Khandel. Do have a look, and a like!
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