I have just returned from Kotdwara, Northern India, having spent an incredible two weeks, visiting our projects, getting involved in community initiatives, seeing old friends and making many new ones. The hospitality and warmth of the Indian people are always such a highlight... I wish you could experience this. If you’ve been following my adventure on Instagram @dougthomas you would have seen that I’ve been busy and productive. I’ve enjoyed great food, eaten too many Indian sweets, put on some weight, relaxed quite a bit too, had lots of long chats with many opportunities for planning future initiatives as ‘Project Help India’ keeps growing, and moving forward.

Straight from the airport on my very first day I found myself as the official guest at an open-air community meeting of a couple of hundred people, put together by the Haridwar Police. Here I had to spontaneously speak to the crowd about discouraging their children from begging and why they should be going to school. I have visited our six Education Centres, assessed and worked alongside kids and their mums at our Disability Centre, preached at a church, presented leadership seminars to university students about suicide, I’ve met with police and the local media, attended two Project Help Annual Functions (kind of like a school speech day). I have trained our teachers, revised our Child Protection Policy and procedures with the Project Help team, bought lots of resources for classrooms and visited some people in need. I’ve also done quite a bit of real-estate hunting too and hope to pass on some really exciting news soon (say a prayer please) ...’Project Help’ might soon have a mortgage ...a fixed address, a centre for our administration and all our operations. It’s a house and land in the middle of town, close to all the action and central to where people in need can come for help and counselling, a peaceful garden, plus a classroom for our City Centre slum kids. 

It is such a privilege to sit alongside people and hear their story. I am always humbled by their trust and openness to share. Many ask me to pray for them. All of them just love the encouragement, company and friendship. They are empowered when you show sincere interest in who they are, that I would take time to visit and just want to sit with them. They basically have nothing but there’s always a chair, a chai, a smile, a laugh, a sweet biscuit and the essential selfie! Simple, honest, authentic conversations break down fear and misunderstanding, especially the walls created by religion. I’ve learnt that our differences are few. I continue to be surprised by how much we all have in common. If only we all had more time to listen and love one another as we do this thing called ‘life’ together. 

The personal circumstances of people living in poverty are really harrowing and it really takes it out of me. The emotions catch up with you when I’m not expecting. I’ve worked with kids with disabilities who have not been allowed to school for the first 8 years of their. One little chap, cognitively impaired, age 6, while his parents are working, has literally roamed the streets every day of his life by himself since he could walk -vulnerable and significantly at risk of exploitation. No wonder he now loves the warmth and safety of his teacher and delights in coming to school. He cries when he has to go home. Some of the other kids who attend our education centres have experienced horrendous things - a father recently murdered, mothers repeatedly beaten, husbands spending the family income on alcohol, floods washing away their house each year, abuse, malnutrition on a daily basis, chronic illness, street begging, denied an education because they must work to earn a few rupees for the family, or for fear of being stolen, raped or savaged by a wild animal as they walk to school along the jungle roadway. 

This sounds brutal and it is. It’s like a bottomless pit of suffering, one that gets bigger not smaller. Yes, there’s a cry for help but there is joy here. There’s also inspiring grit determination, perhaps contentment too. There’s a generosity of spirit, hospitality, warmth, and a deep expression of gratitude. There can also be suspicion by many too, so I have to have my wits about me, and be careful with my very word, the photos I take, and to have a local by my side most of the time. It’s not always safe and I go through gallons of hand sanitiser. 

I’m pleased to report that the many initiatives of ‘Project Help India’ are happening as reported. Things are growing and the trust and respect that we have in the community deepens. This week we also had an Australian Project Officer from the Entrust Foundation visit to inspect our work. Your tax deductible donation is banked through Entrust. Their due-diligence requires accountability on our part and I’m pleased to report that they were delighted with what they saw. 

Many people donate to Project Help. Thank you! Your generosity has enabled great things to happen. Lives are changed with people’s personal circumstances have been helped and touched by God’s love and blessing. These people have a tangible sense of hope and their kids are given opportunities for success and flourishing - all because of you. 

Thank you to the leaders of ‘Project Help India’, my dear friends, Amit and Daisy Samuel, and their kids Jasmine and Jonathan. They work tirelessly for others, making daily sacrifices, in the midst of your own suffering at times too. Amit and Daisy, you bring God’s goodness to all who know you, and to the wider community too. You are both loved so much...especially by me. 

Doug :-)

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE 'PROJECT HELP INDIA' STORY

1. Donate - Your tax deductible donation can be made HereEnsure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2019)
OR  if tax deductibility is not required, your EFT donation can be made at
BSB: 062 230 (Commonwealth Bank Randwick) 
Account: 1134 1909
Account Name: Project Help India
Please write your name in the reference section so we can thank you.

2. Share our Story - Please like and share this blog on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.Thanks so much.
Love Doug

DEAR GOD,
THANK YOU FOR CREATING THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD WE LIVE IN. EACH NATION IS VERY DIFFERENT, YET WE ARE EQUALLY LOVED BY YOU. OUR PRAYER TODAY IS FOR UNITY FOR ALL THE NATIONS, A DEEPER CELEBRATION FOR DIVERSITY AND FOR US TO KNOW YOU BETTER AS OUR GOOD FATHER. WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE HOPE WE BLESS YOU THIS AFTERNOON. IN JESUS' NAME WE PRAY. AMEN

The prayer above was written and presented by students as we celebrated 'International Day' at Claremont College. I'm always blown away by the depth of the children's thinking - why can't we as adults be like them?

The word ‘community’ is potentially overused in this present time. We talk a lot about the importance of ‘community’, and of the power of collaboration, consultation, promoting inclusion, respecting and embracing diversity and our many differences… all of these modern day buzz-words. We might say that we value ‘community’, but do we really mean it? How do we live and interact in a way that truly reflects authentic community… we do just that, we live with authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability, demonstrating a commitment to one-another which takes sacrifice, empathy, compassion and love… all with the desire to genuinely want what’s best for our neighbours.
We must walk the talk. Jesus most powerfully put it like this; ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’, (Mark 12:31). Similarly, these other verses pack a powerful punch; ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you.’ (Matt 7:12) and;

‘Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.’ (Colossians 3:12-15).
​
This week a medical report (19th Sept) was published with some very interesting results. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Health of the Nation Report shows mental health problems have replaced physical conditions as the most common ailments that our doctors are treating. Depression, anxiety and mood disorders have replaced coughs, colds and earaches as the bread and butter of general practice. The report shows that back pain, colds and flu were once the most common reasons people saw their GPs, but musculoskeletal and respiratory problems are now a distant second and third (40% and 39% respectively). If mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are becoming either more common, or more easily talked about (or perhaps a combination of both these things), I suggest that we have a ‘community’ responsibility to support one-another in the challenges of our day to day lives. More than ever, I believe that it takes “a village to raise a child”, and to extend this notion, I reckon it takes a village to support a mum and a dad, and it takes a village to grow and support strong families. We need each other if we are going to stay well, and be strong in our parenting and to live life well.

May peace rule in your heart.

Greetings from North India where just this week the ‘Project Help Team’ have been incredibly busy. The diversity of stories in this blog demonstrates what an extreme place Kotdwara is. We are delighted to share our progress with you, and we thank you from the bottom of our heart, for your kindness and generosity. So much is happening, and we are mindful that we could not impact the lives of people without your support …so thank you for connecting with our story. We are so humbled that ‘Project Help’ has grown in just a few years to be positioned in the midst of people’s celebrations, achievements, happiness, as well as their sadness and distress. This community is reaching out to us for help, we are touching people’s lives and we are making a difference.
Asha
Last week we reached out to you, to help Asha. Thank you to the people who were able to make a donation. We are thrilled to tell you that Asha has returned home from hospital. She is steadily recovering. There is still a long road ahead for her but ‘Project help India’ is checking in on her and the family daily.
Independence Day
This week each of our centres celebrated India’s Independence Day. We are teaching our students to work hard and to have a positive vision for their future. Through education and the changing of mindsets of those who live in poverty we are instilling a growth mindset in the way children understand their talents, abilities and value, and to believe for a hopeful and happy life. Together we work to build strong communities and a strong India. Our efforts this week were acknowledged in the local newspaper.
A significant achievement in Village Parmawala
Our teacher and community leader in Village Parmawala, Mr Sanjay Singh has had a remarkable impact in the lives of some of the local youth. Through counselling and mentoring, the young men of the village have committed to not drinking alcohol. Through empowering these men, they are also educating others, and have been working with the local police to make the entire village ‘alcohol free’. One of the goals of ‘Project Help India’ is to impact communities and bring about generational change. This achievement reflects the power of education and the building of trusted relationships. This is all incredibly exciting.
Introducing Anisha and Naveen
Aneesha is 10 years old and she really has a tough life. Rakhi her teacher at Parmawala brought this young girl and her sister Naveen (aged 8) to our attention. Becuase of poverty, these girls are at risk of significant harm due to the impact of alcohol and domestic violence. We are helping these girls through their access to a ‘Project Help’ education, however we are aware that there is not enough money in the family to provide for their very basic needs.  We would be delighted if anyone would like to reach out to sponsor this family at a cost of $25AUS a month. Contact us to let us know.
A Horrific Crime in Kotdwara
This week we were informed of a most distressing crime that occurred in Kotdwara.
“In the most barbaric incident of recent times, a serious crime of rape took place on 5 August 2019 in slum of Kotdwar. The police got the breakthrough when a family from Lakdipadao slum launched a missing complaint of their 10 yr old girl. According to police the girl was allegedly brutally murdered by two of her neighbours , Padam (28 yrs) and Ashok (31 yrs ). The two accused have been arrested. When the police interrogated on of the men he confessed to his crime. The body was found in a horrible state the cause of death was rape and suffocation. The body was in a decomposed condition as it was all eaten by pigs and stray dogs. This proves that the child faced the brutality. The incident had sparked a lot of outrage and left people shaken. They have become concerned about their children. Rape is the fourth most common crime against women in India. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB ) 2013 annual report, 24,923 rape cases were reported across India in 2012 Out of these, 24,470 were commited by someone known to the viktim. 98% of cases. (Quoted from Project Help Officer’s email 15th August)
The victim of this most heinous of crimes, was not a student of our slum schools but her family lives in the same location. Our team has reached out to the family with gifts and emotional support. We pray that our love will provide some comfort in this terrible time. This incident has reminded us of the need to review our Child Protection programs in each of our schools, to give children strategies and awareness to protect themselves.
Our story is your story
​These exciting initiatives have only been made possible because of the generosity and prayerful support of others. Can you believe that all of this has happened in just one week?
YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR STORY
1. Donate - Your tax deductible donation can be made HereEnsure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2019)
OR  if tax deductibility is not required, your EFT donation can be made at
BSB: 062 230 (Commonwealth Bank Randwick) 
Account: 1134 1909
Account Name: Project Help India
Please write your name in the reference section so we can thank you.
2. Share our Story - Please like and share this blog on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.Thanks so much.
Love Doug

An update about some friends I love in India. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Can you help?

The mission of ‘Project help India’ is simple – we help and care for people who live in extreme poverty. It is almost impossible to empathise and put ourselves in the shoes of those who suffer in this way. There is such a divide between us with all of our first-world comforts, and those who battle the challenges of having almost nothing each and every day. So many of their problems could be solved and difficult situations changed, simply with the equivalent of what we would spend on a daily cup of coffee. Poverty breeds poverty. It is an ugly, vicious cycle.

Yet we do make a difference.

Asha lives with her husband Sher Singh, and their 4 children in the Kotdwara slums. She is a kind and generous woman who has opened her home and shared her limited resources to support ‘Project Help’. Over the years, despite having nothing herself, Asha has made it possible for us to care for the many people, especially children, who live in her neighbourhood. Asha and Sher are saints. Despite the hardships they endure, they make sacrifices for others. Just a few years ago, they even suggested that ‘Project Help’ might build a public toilet block that would have taken up the entirety of their tiny courtyard, a metre from their back door. We didn’t go ahead with this because it would have compromised their health and safety.

Asha and Sher truly live out the Bible verse that commands us to love our neighbours.

Now it is our turn to help Asha. Just two weeks ago, we received the news that only just a few weeks after her home was destroyed by the monsoon, she had a massive heart attack. Hearing this news, ‘Project Help’ was able to jump into action and immediately transfer some funds to India. This saved her life because she was transferred to a hospital in Bijnor where she received specialist medical help. Additionally, last week, we were incredibly grateful to some of our amazing Australian supporters who this week donated $1000 which was needed to provide the ongoing help that Asha needs.

Amit, our Project Director sent me this report this week:
This is Asha. She is one of our Cooking staff in Slums Center and she also lives in slums. This week she had a heart stroke and immediately we the Project Help sent her to a specialist heart hospital. Her treatment is going on from later 5 days and doctors said that her on of the heart valve is blocked and they did the angioplasty. But unfortunately the cost of this treatment is very high price @80,000 approximately with hospital charges, medicine, etc.
The family of Asha is very very poor. They earn every day 200 Indian rupee ($4AUS) that means 6,000 rupee ($120AUS) per month. In Asha’s family there are 6 members all together with children. Last month this family went through a big problem too. As because of the heavy rain their wooden and plastic sheet roof fell down and they lost their everything like clothes, mattresses,  bed, tv, fan, eatable things etc. In this case Project Help helped them with money as most of you our friends from Australia send help to us.
Now these days once again Asha and whole family going through with big difficulty as they are helpless to pay this big amount. They are looking forward for a generous help. We have to pay for Asha within a week so I kindly urge for your generous help .
May God Bless every one of you.

Asha remains in a critical condition and she continues to fight for her life. Might you be able to make a donation? You can have confidence knowing that your kindness and generosity will make a difference. You may never meet Asha and her family but these wonderful people are connected to you through the story that we share together through ‘Project Help’. They send their love and gratitude.  

YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR STORY
1. Donate - Your tax deductible donation can be made HereEnsure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2019)
OR  if tax deductibility is not required, your EFT donation can be made at
BSB: 062 230 (Commonwealth Bank Randwick) 
Account: 1134 1909
Account Name: Project Help India
Please write ‘Asha’ and your name in the reference section so we can thank you.

2. Share our Story - Please like and share this blog on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

Thanks so much. Love Doug.

It was only during the first week of the school holidays that my son asked me to attend with him, the funeral of one of his surfing mates. The young man who passed was only nineteen years old and sadly he took his own life. It was a difficult funeral to attend, and the church was ‘packed’ with teenagers and young adults. My son has now had to come to terms with the suicide of 3 young men, friends and acquaintances, who he has known through his connections in the Maroubra surfing community. In the midst of the overwhelming grief there was a desperate atmosphere of trying to make sense of this. This is an alarming statistic that reflects the impact of what health professionals are calling a mental health ‘epidemic’ in our nation. When I was last in India, I read a news article that addressed similar statistics in schools and universities in Mumbai. The incidence of suicide related to students not coping with the pressure of their academic performance across Asia, for example in Singapore, is recognised as a national well-being priority.  The need for each other to talk, have conversations, and to check-in with one-another is clear. I see that strong schools, with excellent well-being programs are key in helping children and teenagers navigate the stresses and challenges of life. I am thankful for the foundations of a Claremont College education that prioritises the well-being, resilience and flourishing of the children.

And this Tuesday I attended what was perhaps the most heartbreaking funeral I have ever attended. Whilst it’s a relief that this was not related to anyone from our school community, none-the-less, the circumstances are about as harrowing as one could possibly imagine. A little boy from my church, Josiah, died on the day of his first birthday. Josiah was accidentally killed by his father, who was reversing the family car. I attended the funeral to support not just the family, but also to be there for a number of my very close friends including my pastor, who all have the enormous task of caring for Josiah’s mother and father, over the days and years ahead. Whilst it was tinged with hope and faith, this funeral was just so, so sad. Words can not express and so many questions just cannot be answered. The tears flowed the moment we all walked into the church.

I share this news because I know that the mother and father, and wider family, desperately need prayer. There was also a powerful sentiment conveyed through the eulogies that has really impacted me, and has drawn me to write about this. The message was simple…

Life is fragile and we must never let the fusses and small stresses of life cloud what is most important to us all… our family and friends. We must keep perspective and never live with regret. We must reconcile with loved ones. Fights and unresolved conflict are not worth it. We must never be too busy to enjoy time spent with family, and we must always tell our each other how much we love them. In my busyness, I must confess that I am guilty of not always getting this right. I get busy and upset about stuff that really is not important. Josiah’s mother and father spoke courageously at the funeral. The raw emotion was heartbreaking to watch and experience. The mother feared that she “would not be able to get up off the floor” the day after the funeral. Please pray for them all.

So with this, I pray that we would all take the time this weekend to enjoy the blessings before us. Enjoy the crisp winter morning, enjoy the sun, connect with family who you don’t see enough, enjoy the company of your children and loved ones. Tell them that you love them more than ever before.

As a community, we must be committed to walking alongside those who are grieving for the long haul. When the funeral is over and all the people have gone home, that's when the painful and difficult journey commences. 

Thanks Warren Wong instagram.com/wflwong for the image

Sowing my passion into education and making a difference in my school and in the world...

​Life in India is full of extremes, and just this month in July we have seen the harsh impact of this. Only a few weeks ago, the temperature in Kotdwara was over fifty degrees. Since then, we have been deluged with the extreme rain from the seasonal monsoon. Each day we come face to face with the impact of extreme poverty. Sickness and death is a reality of life and whilst it’s easy to get ‘used’ to this, our mission and projects focus on combating poverty. We will not settle for accepting this, knowing that our efforts can have significant impact in the lives of children, families and communities.

Check out July-in-pictures to see just how much has been achieved. It's amazing! Just in this month of July, the work of ‘Project Help India’ continues with purpose and momentum as we provide opportunities for;

- improving children’s health and nutrition
- education and learning
- social work and counselling
- emergency crisis care
- creating community and a sense of belonging
- environmental responsibility
- community impact through drug awareness
- individual lives changed
- a brighter tomorrow and hope for the future
- experiencing God’s love

Thank you to all of our supporters. It is simply because of your generosity that all of this is possible. We also thank our teams in Kotdwara and Bijnor for their tireless work. ‘Project Help India’ has 14 paid staff. We honour their innovation, problem solving, determination, sacrificial efforts, care and compassion.  What you have achieved in just these past 4 weeks is truly remarkable. You inspire me!

Love Doug :-)

YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR STORY
1. Donate - Your tax deductible donation can be made at Here.

Scroll to bottom of page and ensure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2019)

OR  if tax deductibility is not required, your EFT donation can be made at
BSB: 062 230 (Commonwealth Bank Randwick) 

Account: 1134 1909
Account Name: Project Help India
Please write your name in the reference section so we can thank you.

2. Share this Story - Please like and share our latest blog on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. BLOG - Extreme-living-extreme-action-July-in-pictures

Thank you - it was a community effort

Our "Well-being Challenge' on the last day of Term was a significant event for our school community. We received a mention in the 'Daily Telegraph' with Claremont also receiving a special shout-out from Ben Fulham on Radio 2GB, praising the kids for their 10000 burpees, and our fund-raising efforts of approximately $28000. Our local members of Parliament Matt Thistlethwaite (Federal MP) and Marjorie O'Neill (State MP) joined us. We thank them for their support and encouragement, especially by coming along to our event at Grant Reserve.

Through this challenge we have demonstrated the power of us coming together for such an important cause, the Prince of Wales Hospital - our local hospital that helps our older teens, our parents, grandparents… all of us really. This was more than this however, as we have demonstrated that our wellbeing is a community responsibility. We have also demonstrated how remarkable our school community is. Go Claremont College!

Thank you children, thank you teachers and staff and thank you parents. We have shown that we are here for each other, and especially for our kids. I started this year reminding us of that fabulous verse that says;

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13).
​
​I believe that our community and the society we live in really does need more love. We live in a time where so many people seem to be angry, criticising, blaming and having a go at each other… we must not forget the power of love and shining the light on all that is good in this world and in each other. Our Wellbeing Challenge has been such a fantastic experience, a highlight for me as Principal.

As for my other personal challenge...I continue to push myself at the gym 5 mornings a week. I have reached 7000 burpees and 7000 push-ups (give or take a few). 

The ‘Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-being Challenge’
We are excited to launch the ‘Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-Being Challenge’ which will culminate in a celebration event on the last day of Term 2 at Grant Reserve on Friday 28th June. As a school we will be raising money for the new ICU Ward at our local Prince of Wales Hospital. Our fundraising target is $10 000 and we ask all parents and your extended families, work colleagues and friends to get behind such an important and worthwhile cause. Our theme is ‘Locals Helping Locals’. All of us certainly benefit from living in close proximity to our local hospital and we want to support and encourage the amazing people at the Prince of Wales who work so tirelessly for our community. This is our opportunity to get behind you and help fund the new hospital which will certainly be a blessing to our local neighbourhood (and beyond) for generations to come.
 
Ten thousand burpees and push-ups! Perhaps a world record?
Did you know that the world record for the most burpees is 7295 in 12 hours!
 
As part of the fund-raising campaign, I have set myself the personal challenge to complete 10 000 burpees and 10 000 push-ups (but not all in one go). I started the challenge back in February and I am just a little over the halfway mark. While I have not set myself a completion date, and I am certainly not going to break any world records, I am hoping to finish on the 28th June at our Celebration Event. My body is already full of lots of aches and pains from doing this, so I am not going to do anything stupid.
 
On our Celebration Day, we are going to break our own Claremont record, by all doing ten thousand burpees at once. 400 teachers and children will each do 25 burpees at once, totalling 10 000, and we think we can break this record in just a few minutes. We hope that many parents will also join us for what will be lots of fun. We are also hoping that the media will be present as well, so that we can share the message of Claremont’s involvement in the local community.
 
My personal connection
Many of you know that this year my family was impacted by the tragic death of my son’s girlfriend, Marli in January. Marli had just graduated Year 12 at Brigidine College and she had the world before her. Marli died of a drug overdose at a party. She had never taken drugs before and she paid the highest price for a very unforgiving mistake.
 
It has certainly been a challenging journey for my son as he makes sense of this loss and comes to terms with his grief. He is definitely not ‘over’ this, but he is making good progress. Gulliver has channelled his energy into his passion by surfing 1000 waves, and he too is raising money for the Prince of Wales Hospital, through his cause ‘1000 Reasons for Marli’. I am so proud of his determination and courage in what has been such a difficult time for him. You might have seen the article in the ‘Daily Telegraph’ on Friday 31st May.
 
Individual well-being goal setting
The tragic loss of Marli, has certainly evoked a lot of soul searching and contemplation about how we make sense of loss and deal with grief. My faith has certainly been a source of strength and comfort.  As a father it has been very difficult to watch my son grapple with his emotions and come to terms with all of this. Gulliver’s surfing challenge has given him a purpose that has helped him to channel his energies and grief into doing something positive, especially so that Marli’s death was not in vain. We all take comfort in this verse:
 
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
 
As an educator, I have thought deeply and hard about how we prepare children for the challenges of life. Drug education, even in the early years of a child’s education is certainly necessary. I strongly believe that this is a community issue with schools, parents, police and other health professionals collaborating and working to solve problems together. The conversations we have with our children about difficult issues and concepts must be had starting in the early primary years, and not just left until the teen years when they are directly facing the challenges. I also believe strongly that we must be equipping and empowering our children to talk to each other, and to have the skills to support their peers, to be role models and ‘upstanders’ willing to intervene and help others (as opposed to being ‘bystanders’ who watch, keep silent and do nothing).
 
Therefore, as we embark on our Wellbeing Challenge, we have aligned this initiative and our fundraising with our Peer Support Program. Lead capably by our Year 6 and Year 5 students, all children (K-6) are currently participating in four Peer Support sessions that focus on;
 
fitness
healthy eating
mindfulness - gratitude and appreciation
kindness and generosity.
 
Across our Peer Support Program all children will talk about setting an individual goal based on one of the four themes. Their peers will then support, encourage and inspire one-another as they work to achieve these goals. We encourage you to talk to your child over the coming days about what might be their goal (realistic and achievable). This is where our fundraising efforts will connect with individual goals, by asking your friends and family to sponsor them and to encourage them to achieve their well-being goal.
 
Four weeks until the end of Term 2
With four weeks until the end of the term, the ‘Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-being Challenge’ will also be incorporated into the children’s PE, Sport and Health lessons. We will also link key messages into our Chapel teaching theme for Term 2 which is all about being ‘Inspired for Life’.
 
Thanks for reading, and getting on board with these exciting and important initiatives and ideas. Please consider if your business can make a tax-deductible donation, offer prizes or should you have any creative ideas for how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Tomorrow (Thursday 18th April) my wife and kids, and 10 other Australians are heading to Kotdwara to present and be a part of our SHINE19 Women's Empowerment Conference. We are super excited and full of anticipation for the many lives we will impact. Our bags are all but packed totalling about 350kg of luggage ... including 1000 toothbrushes, 1000 fans, 900 mirrors and lipsticks for our 800+ delegates, 350 packets coloured pencils, textas and tennis balls for the 260 children in our centres, teaching resources for our new Disability class, gifts for teachers and many others, not to mention just a small amount of space for our clothes and personal items. 

Please pray for us, for our safety, good health and that our hard work and efforts would encourage and make a long lasting difference in the lives of many people.

​My family, 8 other Aussies and a South African will be heading to Kotdwara in North India in just three weeks time, for ‘Project Help India’s second women's SHINE19 conference. This conference is an important aspect of the 'Project Help India' vision, and we can't quite believe that another year has come around. Compared to last year, the number of delegates has doubled, spanning two days and receiving registrations from close to 900 women.

Most of our delegates are women who live in slums, in terrible poverty. These women can't afford to pay, so we are not charging them. We want to bless them and give them an experience they will never forget. Teenage girls from local high schools will also be attending as well as women who are community leaders, because our aim is to empower all women in all spheres of life.
After SHINE18, our conference this year has become the talk of Northern India, with local media doing press releases, billboard advertising, and even politicians and Bollywood celebrities wanting to both attend and be seen supporting and advocating for this important cause.
Because of SHINE19 we are positive and confident that women's lives will be changed and empowered.

Through this we will see…
stronger lives, stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger India.

‘Project help India’ is pioneering this cause in this remote part of the world, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

If you could make a tax deductible donation to support our work, we would really appreciate this. And please spread the word if you might know people who might be passionate about human rights, human justice, anti-human trafficking, and who might be stirred to make a donation to this worthwhile cause (we need some help as the cost all adds up and is now close to $6000).

How you can help
1. Please share this blog to people you know whose business or company might like to support this wonderful cause…it’s tax deductible for them too.

2. Please make a donation. 
Go to http://projecthelpindia.co/donate to make your tax-deductible donation in Australia
OR if tax deductibility is not required, your EFT donation can be made at
BSB: 062 230 (Commonwealth Bank Randwick) 
Account: 1134 1909
Account Name: Project Help India

Please write your name and SHINE19 in the reference section so we can thank you.

With love and thanks for your support and interest.