Latest News: SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME
23 June 2008

There are now 82 children sponsored under the programme which started in 2005. What a difference it has made to their lives. Their families live in great poverty but through the help of sponsors, who pay £10 a month, life is so much better. Half the money is given to the families each month for the child's welfare - uniform, school fees (if applicable), term time food, text books, excursions, birthday presents and so on. More is available, if needed for unexpected expenses, such as the repair of a leaking roof. Any money left over each month is left to accrue for the more expensive year ahead as the child progresses through educations.

Latest News: RAISING THE STANDARD
23 June 2008

We are working to further improve the standard of education. Already we fund extra teaching, including an IT trainer and an English teacher, but would like to pay for more better qualified staff. This will ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to reach his or her academic or vocational potential.

Bigger, brighter and better equipped classrooms are just part of the Venkat Trust’s achievements of the past four years. Apart from these obvious physical improvements and our school fee, university scholarship and sponsorship programmes, the Trust’s involvement is having another effect: Kovalam is at last beginning to feel better about itself. Seeing the improvements we’ve made to Panchayat School has prompted the Indian Government to release more funds for building and the village is starting to attract support from the growing private sector. But there is still much to be done.