This week is International Refugee Week. Through my work with ‘Project Help India’ we are committed to respond to the needs of those who are displaced, like the family whose house is shown in the photo. If you have a spare moment, look closely at the images above and below. I took the photo about a year ago in the city of Haridwar, near to where I spoke to a roadside gathering of children and parents as part of ‘Operation Freedom’, a police led community program which aimed to stop kids from street begging and to get them enrolled into schools. I was embarrassed to take this photo but I was captured by what I was looking at. Heart broken and crying, I just stood there, imagining the life and circumstances of this incredibly poor family.

…But look at the photos. You are looking at a home made out of rubbish, located in a car park, 100 metres from the "mighty" Ganges River. There would be at least 6 people living here. Imagine if this was your home, what hopes would you have for your future? If you were the father, what dignity and sense of worth would you have as you thought about your ability to provide and care for your family. If you were the mother, what confidence and what fears would you have for the health, education and safety of your children? These thoughts, feelings and fears are the reality for countless millions of refugees today.
​
Statistics tell us that there are approximately 200 000 refugees in India. However, if you stretch the definition, there are countless millions upon millions, who, impacted by the vicious cycle of poverty, are displaced - forced to move from their home to relocate from rural villages to look for work in the city. Many of these people, including children, live on the streets or in slums with little or no access to adequate sanitation, health care, education and advocacy. Because of the caste system in India, these people are ostracised and targeted. At ‘Project Help India’ we work alongside these most vulnerable people, providing schooling, nutritious meals, health check-ups, counselling and delivering short courses to up-skill young people for employment. Our parenting awareness programs teach mothers and fathers about the very real dangers of their children being exploited and trafficked. These most vulnerable children often disappear or have been sold by their parents who believed a lie that their child would have a better future rather than endure their present circumstances. It’s all incredibly sad…but with your help we are making a difference, and bringing love, dignity and purpose to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people on the planet.

During COVID-19 the numbers of people in India who are currently testing positive, is rapidly on the rise. We have grave concerns for the well-being and safety of many, and we are preparing for an influx of more displaced people over the coming months.

This ‘World Refugee Day’ we can have awareness, empathy, compassion and make a difference. Your donation to ‘Project Help India’ will be used to help some beautiful families who are displaced, and who live a life that is so terribly different from all of our Western comforts. With the Australian tax-year finishing in just 10 days, your donation is tax deductible…it’s a perfect time to help us to help others. Go to www.projecthelpindia.co

Thank you.

Recently, I have noticed an emerging and consistent theme in the conversations I’ve had with friends, colleagues and many others. Just this week I was on a Zoom meeting, catching up with friends from around the world (literally); friends from India, Kong Kong, the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa and England, and this is what they had to say…
 
“I’m tired”
“I’m worn out”
“I’m feeling run down”
“Not another Zoom meeting!”
“I wish I knew where this is all heading”
“This COVID is catching up with me.”
“I’m just over all of this”
 
This meeting really was a collection of individuals from around the globe, and the feedback of us all feeling ‘tired and fatigued’ was powerfully consistent. My friend from Mumbai said that the situation in his country is very depressing at the moment, especially in the densely populated slums. Over 15 000 people are diagnosed with COVID-19 a day in India. There is little hope for an easing of their current lockdown restrictions. The communities I work with are becoming less optimistic with worry, fear and fatigue creeping into the tone of their voice. How’s that for perspective! We are so blessed to be living in Australia.
 
With these thoughts, I offer the simple perspective of “let’s hang in there together”-keeping our eyes on the coming school holiday break, we need to stay patient and positive, yet be sensitive to the fact that many in our community are fatiguing and people need help. You yourself may need help, and I encourage you to reach out and connect with others. 
 
Over these past three months our school has communicated a consistent message about how we can stay resilient and strong. Research highlighting five ways to promote wellbeing in challenging times is certainly worth revisiting as we start to feel a sense of fatigue. This research identified five behaviours that people can undertake to stay emotionally, socially and psychologically healthy. These behaviours are; 
 
- connecting with others
- being active
- being aware and present in the moment
- ongoing learning, and;
- giving and helping others.
 
My School Counsellor (Ms Catherine McKersie) wrote an excellent article which summarises this research here.
 
“Giving and Helping Others Performing acts of kindness to others has shown to have benefits for your own well-being. Research has shown altruistic behaviour activates the area of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust and means your brain releases endorphins. Giving your time, giving your words, giving your attention to listen to someone at this time can mean so much to that other person. But it can also be good for you. Reaching out to someone can mean taking a risk. If you let someone know you are worried about them and ask them how they are going - even if they say they’re ok, your gesture has let them know someone cares enough to reach out and try to make that connection."   Ms Catherine McKersie’s (School Counsellor)
 
Here at Claremont, we are mindful that this research applies to children, as much as it does to adults. Our teaching, activities, opportunities for involvement and other educational priorities will continue to focus on these five points right up to the final bell next Friday afternoon. One focus this coming week will be the act of helping others, and being mindful of those who are in need and less fortunate than ourselves. I am delighted that our Year 6 student leaders are organising a number of charity fundraising activities for us next week, to help the Salvation Army ‘Red Shield Appeal’ culminating in our school uniform free ‘Go Crazy Mufti day’ next Friday. Whilst the students' fundraising target is $400, I encourage our parents community to dig deep and to be generous. Rather than just giving your children some extra gold coins, encourage your children to have a baking or craft sale this weekend or to do some extra jobs around the house, so that they are actually making a conscious and deliberate act to earn some gold coins for their Mufti Day. I believe that this is where a sense of satisfaction, a healthy mindset, and healing can be found. In other words, it is good to be ‘strategic’ in our generosity, and there are many benefits not just for the recipient.”
 
I am excited for all that next week has to offer and am confident that our school is very well positioned to handle whatever challenges, big or small, might be ahead for us all. We can more than just “hang in there” - we can have an excellent week filled with new opportunities for learning, nice surprises, growth, lots of fun, and much happiness together, empowered by knowing that our loving and merciful God is with us each and every day.
 
Jesus said - “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11:28-30
 
Mr Doug Thomas
Principal

As we continue to make sense of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, this week we have also been confronted with and tried to make sense of the ugly face of racism seen in the USA, and indeed across the world. I expect that you share with me the feelings of anger and sense of horror in response to this situation. The #blacklivesmatter movement has become an urgent and necessary voice for change.  

How timely, that this week in Australia it is ‘Reconciliation Week’ as we continue to work for healing, justice and a more tolerant and inclusive nation. It is so important that as a school we are teaching children to understand and apply these principles, values and attitudes to their lives… and equally that we are teaching the children through the modelling and personal example of our own lives. Surely, this is one of the most important starting points in a child’s education. It is also at the heart of being ‘inspired for life’, following Jesus’ example and His teachings, living and working towards peace in our world.

I believe that all that #blacklivesmatter movement represents, is foundational to a healthy community and is something that we must constantly reinforce and advocate for in our society. For the past five years, this has been a clearly stated priority for our school (think of our International Day last year and our annual support of the White Ribbon Day). At our Parent Vision 2020 Evening in February I spoke about the importance of us being a school community that demonstrates authentic love in action. 2020 was to be a year “framed by God’s love”. Little did I realise that what I spoke about and followed up in the newsletter that week, what was in store for us this year. Here is an excerpt from our Newsletter, 14th February;

May we be a school that is characterised by anti-racism, tolerance, an understanding of differences, inclusion and respect for one another. May we be a school that celebrates the many rich cultures and traditions, reflecting our diverse multicultural backgrounds. Let’s start and finish all we do with gratitude and appreciation and have a sense of excitement about the opportunities and possibilities for all we will do and achieve together over 2020. In these days of rapid change, I believe that we will need each other more than ever.

Back in May 2018, I wrote;
“I cannot stress enough that we do not tolerate racism at Claremont College, and we will not hesitate to respond to any issues should they arise within our school community. It was good to recognise and celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds within our school community, and to reinforce the important message that each one of us is created in God's image, and we are loved and precious in His eyes."

I wish to highlight the wonderful ‘Reconciliation Week’ acknowledgement to country video that some of our students have created this week, along with the many student work samples from across the school (K-6). Thank you to our teachers for inspiring the children in their learning. You can watch the video HERE.

Please join with me in striving for and working towards the creation of a school community that is a safe place for all, which embodies the values of kindness, compassion and collaboration and that in itself, becomes a change agent for making this world a place that we are all proud to belong to, sowing the seeds for a brighter future for our children and all people. 
​
‘Peacemakers who sow in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness.’ James 3:18

As I reflect on the amazing work over recent days of the ‘Project Help India’ Team, I am humbled by the incredible privilege that it is to work alongside some incredible people as we serve the poor and needy. Our work within the slum communities of Kotdwara, opens a door for each one of us to grow and be blessed through our connection with many special people. We learn from these people, we admire them and we are enriched and inspired by their determination, persistence, patience, wisdom, smiles and the simplicity of their lives. Mother Theresa said that she truly saw the face of God in people who suffered because of poverty, and I understand what she meant by this. I have seen God’s face, and my words cannot do justice to what I’m trying to explain.

I feel like these people help me more than I help them. I am blessed, levelled, and I get a sense of perspective about life which in itself, is an incredible gift to receive. Many of my friends (and family) who have travelled with me to India feel the same way too. Knowing these people, educating their children and helping their community really is a privilege that I thank God for.

As a positive (no pun intended), COVID-19 has drawn us together in a way that helps us to see how connected in friendship we are -despite the distance that separates. Their story has become a large part of my story, the ‘Project help India’ story …and I invite you to be part of this too.
During this time of COVID-19, the Indian Government continues to enforce a nation-wide lockdown, perhaps for all of June (arrghh!!). Unfortunately the virus is now spreading in the district and three people have been infected in Kotdwara. Presently we are handing out ration packs feeding 600 people a day, as well as serving breakfast to those who are forced to live in a local quarantine centre. This is how we are using your financial donation at the moment - thank you so much!


Mrs Anita (pictured here with Daisy our Director) is a widow, and she has been receiving our help daily. She is thankful beyond words that we are feeding her family, at a time when she cannot work and meet her children’s needs.









This week I heard about Tamanna (pictured at the top with her student Harsh), the Teacher’s Aide at our Disability Centre. Tamanna lives in the slum where her students live. During the lockdown she has been able to visit children, one at a time, and she has been teaching them, doing crafts, doing speaking activities, physical exercises and checking in on their wellbeing. She also teaches the students and their family members about how to be safe from COVID-19. Tamanna also spends much of her day sewing face masks for her students. What a legend! Tamanna, is a blessing, and she has her job thanks to the generosity of an Australian family, who pay for her annual wage.
Blessing creates blessing! This is community in action.

Two weeks back our team created a special opportunity for each of our Disability Centre students, giving them a goodie bag for them to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The goodie bag contained a hair oil bottle, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a toy, a talcum powder and some chocolates. Our Project Officer reported…

“The children were so much excited to get back to their classes, but we had to make them understand that soon we will, but not yet, open the centre for them. We have called all the students one by one to the centre so that we can distribute the gifts to them. The students came and we have handed them the goodie bags. We have instructed the students as well as their parents about the pandemic and how to keep the corona virus spread away from them.”

We wish you could have been there in person to see the joy and happiness on the children’s faces (your friendship was there in spirit!). So, to our supporters, thank you for being a blessing! You are loved and appreciated by an entire community of people. Know that during this COVID crisis, you are making a significant and important difference in the lives of some people who really are the poorest of the poor. You are literally saving people’s lives. And know too, that the blessings are coming back in your direction! Perhaps it’s us who are blessed the most.

Thank you for being a part of the ‘Project Help India’ story at this unique time in history.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate: You can make your tax deductible donation by clicking HERE. As you click the link, scroll to the bottom of the page, then click the ‘SUPPORT THIS PROJECT NOW' button. Ensure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2020).

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 that we can thank you. 

And please share the word and this blog.

With love and thanks. 
​Doug

http://projecthelpindia.co

All up we are serving about 100 families, and others on an average per day with meal packets. One person described it like this…
“You people are like God’s angels to us. If you would not have given us food then our kids and us might have died because of hunger, as our daily food depends on our daily earnings, so if there is no earning there is no food for them”.

Thank you to all our wonderful supporters in Australia. When we get to the other side of this COVID-19 crisis, and talk about it in years to come, you will have the satisfaction of being able to say that you helped save lives with your love, kindness and compassion. Indeed, wellbeing research tells us that helping others is a great way to preserve your own positive mental health during times of crisis and difficulty. Thank you for your generosity. In the face of such human suffering and tragedy caused by COVID-19 Rashid’s story is just one many reminding us that, love, kindness and compassion make a significant difference in people’s lives. Never underestimate the impact you are having.

Please share this email with others who you think can help us. The lockdown in India will continue through to 17 May. Our meals cost just over $400 a day, so this is a total of $5600 that we will require to continue through till then.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate: You can make your tax deductible donation by clicking HERE. As you click the link, scroll to the bottom of the page, then click the ‘SUPPORT THIS PROJECT NOW' button. Ensure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2020).

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 that we can thank you.
And please share the word and this blog.
http://projecthelpindia.co/

​With love and thanks. My prayers continue to be with you during this very difficult time.
Doug

During this time of the COVID crisis, those who are suffering are coming to my charity 'Project Help India' www.projecthelpindia.co for help and support, and we are so pleased to be able to especially support the families of children who attend our schools. 12 year-old Abhishek is one of our students. He contracted polio at a young age which resulted in him not being able to use his right hand and arm. To make matters worse his grandparents believe that because of the polio Abhishek is cursed, thus denying him of their doting love and affection.

Abhishek’s mother Urmila is an example of an inspirational mother. She would have attended our SHINE Conference this week if it hadn’t been for COVID-19. Urmila endures constant domestic violence due to her husband’s alcoholism with any money that he earns as a daily labourer being spent on his alcohol. Urmila secretly works, so that any money she earns can be spent on food and the education of her two boys. When the Indian government enforced the national COVID lockdown, Urmila was unable to work and she only had enough food in the house for just two days.
‘Project Help India’ has been able to help by giving Urmila the food she needs, with the promise that this will continue until she is able to return to work at the end of the lockdown. In the midst of such challenge there has been intervention thanks to your generous support. Not only have you assisted Abhishek’s family, your donation goes directly to help over 100 similar families. All up at a cost of $412 per day, we are serving 800 meals daily to the poor, homeless and disabled on the streets of Kotdwara. We do this at the request and blessing of the City Magistrate and with the assistance of the local police.
​
In the face of such human suffering and tragedy caused by COVID-19 Abhishek’s story is just one many across the world, reminding us that friendship, love and kindness make a significant difference in people’s lives. Never underestimate the impact you have.

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Psalm 82:3

The story I am sharing today is of Abhishek, student of our city center. His mother’s name is Urmila. Urmila is of 30 yrs. Urmila is wife of Mr. Kishanpal (38 years), he is a daily wage labour. Urmila is mother of 2 children Abhishek (12 years) and Aditya (11 years). Her elder son Abhishek is a polio sufferer. He is helpless from his right hand. Urmila says she is ignored by her in-laws family because of Abhishek, as her family thinks Abhishek’s condition is a result of some curse. Urmila is not treated well by her husband and he don’t allow her to work. Urmila works secretly as domestic help in some houses and she earns a little amount of money so that she can feed herself and her children and can pay their school fees. Urmila says that whatever her husband earns he wastes all his money on his drinking alcohol. 

Urmila is living in conditions that could hardly be called liveable. She lives in a dirty slum in a rented single room where there is no proper electricity facility. Now since the lockdown is going on, Urmila is not able to earn anything at all. All of her savings were used by her husband in his thirst of alcohol and she has been left with nothing. The day when the lockdown started Urmila had just 2 days of food items so that she could feed her kids but after that she’s not able to make it. Urmila called out to ‘Project Help’ home and narrated her condition. In act of compassion we provided the family all the food items required and promised the family that with Project Help no one will sleep on an empty stomach. After getting the food supplies Urmila broke into tears and thanked us again and again for our help. 

(Written by PHI Field Officer, 10 April 2020)

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate - You can make your tax deductible donation by clicking HERE. As you click the link, scroll to the bottom of the page, then click the ‘SUPPORT THIS PROJECT NOW' button. Ensure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2020).

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 that I can thank you.
And please share this blog. http://projecthelpindia.co/blog/2020/4/15/together-we-are-saving-lives

This comes with my love and thanks. My prayers are also with you during this very difficult time.
May God be with you.
Doug

‘Unprecedented’ – my dictionary tells me that this word means “never done or known before”. What an apt word this is. Everything about this week has been unprecedented. My decision making, problems I have had to solve, the anxiety I see around me (including my own), the thought of closing the school for an indefinite period of time, children using technology to talk to their teacher and classmates, hand-washing lessons, cancelling events and gatherings, Chapel on-line, parents working from home, a footy game without a crowd in the stadium, 0.25% interest rates, panic buying in the supermarkets… and so much more. No doubt, you too are feeling the pressure of these unprecedented times. 

What I do know for sure.
As we head into the weekend, and face another uncertain week, there are many things that I am feeling very positive about and which give me great confidence. To start with, the sun will come up each day and with it, I hold on to the knowledge that God’s love is with us and His blessings are new every morning. 

To close or not to close our campus
The commentary on whether schools should be closed has been intense. Opinions are divided, health officials are divided, world leaders are divided, Principals I know are divided. Facebook posts present opposing and often extreme views. This all adds to feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. As parents, you worry if you are making the right decision about sending your child to school. This is why we are working doubly hard to have systems and structures (at present) to support and empower you in making the decision to do what you believe is best for your family and personal circumstances.

So, if we commence school next week ‘open’ – we are ready for teaching and learning, 'business as usual'.

Or, if we commence school next week ‘campus closed’ – we are confident we are ready for Off Campus Learning and it's 'business as usual'. 

One Request
For as long as the campus remains open please support my teachers and staff. Please be patient with us, be supportive, express your appreciation and gratitude. Do not send your child to school if they have cold or flu symptoms. Do not argue with us, if we call you to collect your child please answer your phone. These are scary days for us all, and my staff are making many sacrifices, putting your child’s needs ahead of their own needs and often before the needs of their family.

Thank you to the wonderful mother who offered to buy some groceries for our staff. You have no idea how encouraging your kind gesture was. 

There’s Strength and Safety in our Community
I am strengthened by the thought that the Claremont College school community has lived through many times of significant crisis in the past. Our school song begins with the line … “Since 1882 we’ve stood”. This school has lived through the fears associated with the ANZAC years, the Great Depression, WW2, 9/11 and other crises that have threatened the heart of our community. Through these times, strength, faith and hope have prevailed. There is safety in this place.

Keeping connected
In all of the uncertainty that we are facing, I believe that one of the greatest threats we are facing is a lack of connectedness. Phrases such as ‘social distancing’, ‘quarantining’ and ‘isolation’ all tear at the heart of what it means to be human. People need people. Our kids need each other, which is one of the benefits of keeping schools open. I see them play, laugh, learn and interact together each day, and in this I’m reminded why I love my job. We must understand that reaching out to each other, staying in touch, checking in and asking “are you okay?” is more than ever a shared responsibility. And do please reach out to us if you need help.

As we head into next week and beyond, I am confident that we have systems ready to provide connection, safety, support, and interaction. We will be focusing on ways to allow us to thrive in a new normal. Please follow this link to access the document ‘Communication Guide for Parents’ which will assist you in the event of a campus closure.

Conversations and Empathy
As we stay connected, we must prioritise healthy, positive and respectful conversations. Please be mindful on your parent What’s App chats, that you are speaking to a wide audience. It is disappointing to hear that some people have been upset by unhelpful, incorrect facts, and anxiety inducing comments. 

Over the past few weeks I have prioritised the need to be at the gate, welcoming children and chatting with parents. It’s been great to talk with many mums and dads. For as long as school remains open, I shall endeavour to be at the gate every morning and afternoon, so please drop by if you’d like to chat.

In our conversations with others, let’s seek to listen, understand, hold no judgement, empathise, and be a source of strength, comfort and reassurance to each other.

God does not change
With things changing by the day, the hour, the minute, I am strengthened and comforted in the knowledge that God does not change. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble and nothing can separate us from His love. 

So I am ready! I’m ready for another ‘unprecedented’ week and season ahead.

I am ready for the unprecedented new ways for children to learn and engage with the world and each other. I am ready for unprecedented opportunities for connecting and engaging in helpful and constructive conversations across our school community. I am ready for opportunities to demonstrate unprecedented love, and unprecedented opportunities to creatively devise for good works, acts of compassion and helping each other. I am ready for experiencing God’s love (that casts out fear), and knowing His peace (that passes all understanding), in new and unprecedented ways.

We are in this together.
My prayers and love are with you all.

This Sunday we celebrate 'International Women's Day' - a global day where we get to honour and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It’s a timely opportunity because here at ‘Project Help India’, we are right in the thick of our preparations for SHINE 2020 – a conference in April which will empower and equip women to understand their value, worth and purpose. Words really cannot express the impact that this conference has on the 500 or so women delegates, who live in the Kotdwara and Bijnor slums and surrounding Himalayan jungle villages in India.

I am delighted to introduce you to three remarkable women, Aasma, Najmeen and Asha. Behind their beautiful smiles, each woman has a powerful, heartbreaking, yet inspiring story. You will cry as you read about what each has suffered, what they have to endure on a daily basis and what each has overcome and achieved. The hardships faced by these women show why I love to help and why my life is so much the richer and better from knowing them.

​Aasma – disabled, a fighter, determined for her daughters to be educated. After having three daughters, Aasma was thrown out of the house by her in-laws for only having girls. Despite her disability, she has fought to earn a small wage, ironing clothes, which is enough to rent a single room in the slums. Aasma’s husband 
gambles and does not give her any income and does not contribute to the rent, or pay for family necessities. Now with four children, sadly one of her daughters has a significant intellectual disability. But Aasma has managed to get all of her daughters to school. They are learning thanks to their remarkable mother.
 
For SHINE Conference Aasma says last year she joined in with the dancing. It was the first time that she had ever been on a stage. She says SHINE is like a festival for her. Because of the conference she was able to make her daughters understand about their personal hygiene and health.  Follow this link to read more about Aasma’s story.
 
Najmeen – Beautiful Spirit, Strength and Dignity 
Najmeen is 40 years old. She is a single mother with 5 children. After her husband died of heart disease 12 years ago, Najmeen had to sell her home, her jewellery and possessions to pay off the many medical bills. Her 5 young children were hungry and homeless. Her seven year old son (12 years old at the time) had to become a vegetable seller. Najmeen worked hard as a house maid. She also suffers from epilepsy which is now so bad, she cannot work. Her sons work and look after their mother. All six family members live in a small rented room. Najmeen loved attending SHINE last year and she cannot wait for this year’s conference. She loved the sense of equality with no discrimination.
 
“At SHINE she loved the freedom and joy of dancing where she forgot about all of her sorrows and troubles.”
 
Follow this link to read more about Najmeen’s story.

Asha - A Warrior Mother and Community Leader 
Despite recently having a major heart attack, Asha works hard and fights for her five children, one who has had significant health issues all his life. She is determined, kind, generous and has the heart of a saint. Asha loves to attend SHINE every year. She says that the conference gives her value and an understanding of the purpose in her life. At SHINE she has learnt a great deal about women’s health and hygiene. She was given a sanitary pad for the first time ever at SHINE.  She shares her knowledge with the many women and girls who live in her slum community of Kotdwara. Asha is a woman who simply by her character and example, has become a leader and an influencer in the slums. SHINE has given her the strength that she needs to endure the many hardships that she faces every day. 

Follow this link to read more about Asha’s story.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THESE AND MANY OTHER WOMEN
In April the Thomas Family and a team of other Aussies will be heading to Kotdwara in North India for Project Help India’s third Women's SHINE Conference. This conference is an important aspect of the 'Project Help India' vision, and we are asking for your help to make this possible. Most of the Conference delegates are women who live in slums or jungle villages, 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, mothers, grandmothers, our teachers and community leaders will be attending. Our aim is to empower women in all spheres of life. Might you be able to sponsor one woman for $10, five women for $50 or ten women for $100, for them to be able to attend SHINE Conference. You will be changing their lives in a significant way.

Donate - Your tax deductible donation can be made Here

As you click this link ensure that you are donating to (WYG-IND-PHI-2019) and please let us know (by replying to this email) if you make a donation because we would love to thank you. Privacy legislation does not permit us to know that you've donated unless you tell us.

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.
Thanks so much love Doug

SHINE 2020 - Stronger Women for a Stronger India
stronger individuals
stronger families
stronger communities
and a stronger India

In February I attended a seminar hosted by the Australian Council of Educational Leadership where we had the privilege to learn from one of the great masters in education. Professor Michael Fullan is a prolific Canadian researcher and writer. His work has informed and influenced so much of all that we have achieved here at Claremont over the past ten years. I have been reading his most recent book ‘Nuance: Why Some Leaders Succeed and Others Fail’ and I can not recommend it enough! Professor Fullan has also developed ‘The Deep Learning Framework’ which comes from his book ‘Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement’. I love that his work is evidence based, and his philosophy of learning and vision for where education should be heading into the future are both compelling.

Two stand-out quotes which really resonated with me are as follows.

About the role of the future school leader…
The ‘nuanced’ leader will be curious, open, loyal, see below the surface, change people’s emotions not minds, foster ‘sinews’ of success, be humble, be determined for all to succeed, is proud of the successes of others."

He or she will “courageously and relentlessly be committed to changing the system for the betterment of humanity”

For students and learners, one of the competencies for deep learning will be “a commitment to human equity and wellbeing through empathy and compassion for diverse values and world views.” This empathy and compassion will be demonstrated alongside “integrity in action”.

​So here’s the challenge for you, for me, for us all. Are we striving to create school communities where these values are at the heart of our schools, our organisations, and all we say and do? Do we demonstrate and model these things for our students, staff and wider community? Do I really value these things, or do I pay lip service, giving eloquent speeches yet echoing empty words and platitudes? What fruit is really displayed in the example of my leadership?

Our school communities are certainly complex places with such a myriad of perspectives and relationships. Am I willing to learn from those whose opinions, beliefs and values are different to mine? Or am I fearful, intolerant, closed and defensive? Do I take the time to really listen to the story of others in my community, those who I walk alongside and do this life journey with? Am I willing to embrace them and be open to connecting with all that we share and find common ground with? What if they are right and I am wrong? Am I building bridges or walls?

If I really am driven with the purpose to prepare my students with the skills, mindsets  and dispositions that will be necessary for them to have, to be successful in the world they are growing up into, a lot must change. Change is happening way too quickly, so let’s make sure that the right things change.

Our children are growing up into a very uncertain world which most would agree is incredibly scary. This is their planet. Am I giving them the skills and constructs necessary to solve the problems that they must solve in the years to come? Will they have the ability to collaborate and work respectfully alongside others? Will they be kind, helpful, compassionate, forgiving, generous human beings?
This is learning for us all. I often wonder… when I am in a nursing home, will our students of today want to look after me? As a parent, teacher, educator and leader I must leave this legacy for them, or surely I have failed.

Thanks Professor Fullan, you have really stirred my soul!

“People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit.” Luke 6:45