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COVID-19 UPDATE: 2020 has been a year like no other that we know of, in the history of the charity. Due to the lock-downs and general government restrictions, the home itself was required to shut and the children return to family homes (or relatives, if orphaned). The schools remain closed, as of end August 2020 but they are working towards reopening, if not physically, then on-line. The remaining children (now 25) will be attending school as day scholars for the foreseeable future and the home itself, will remain shut until at least the end of the next school year, June 2020.
We continue to support the staff during this time (some of whom live on-site), the cost of the upkeep of the buildings and the fees, registrations, uniforms/books etc. for the day scholars. We also continue to support x5 young people who, coming through Neil’s Home, now attend university.
We rely on the generosity of many people to help the vision for India come to fruition. This comes in various ways, both financial and practical.
In 2015 – a couple of us crazy people ran the Reading half-marathon – the funds raised enabled us to finish off the building in a way that allowed the children to occupy the first floor safely. The Top Floor is currently ‘open’ (yes, safe & secure still, with an adult-waist height wall around), and that is great area for drying washing, amongst other open air activities.
In Feb 2016, some visiting friends from the UK helped to pay for a sizeable chunk of the costs of new toilets for the girls. The land had to be raised in 2015 due to drainage issues, so the toilet block needed to follow suit. This has been done now, and it looks fantastic – great job by Syam and the builders!
In June 2016 we received fresh funds to complete the second floor, to allow for the boys to move upstairs. However, due to increasing government restrictions, the boys have had to move off site to a rented property – thankfully, just 2 houses down the street, so they still come to the main building for studying, eating and playing.
October 2016 saw a very high rainfall and the land flooded, despite being raised and drainage put in at the start of the year. So, more fill and drains were put in, and as a result the India team had to also raise the study hall, admin block and the boys’ toilets. This was completed quickly and at the same time, a few adjustments were made to the admin block to allow for better use of the space, as they had changing logistical requirements.
There are just too many pictures for us to share – so we are going to show you: in the beginning, in the middle and where we are now.
Name change: Neil’s Faith Home to Neil’s Home in 2015
Nov 2013. We promise, there are pillars to hold up the roof/first floor!
In the beginning …. there are very different approaches to building in India.The India Project is done through a registered Charity, where we know the funds are secured and any land purchased is legally held in trust and protected. We care about who the children are as individuals and the home is located within a good community, where the community also takes an active interest in the well-being of the children.
Our Vision as the UK Charity is that we help to create homes which are good solid buildings, with loving house parents who help the children with their studies. They have a good cook to look after all those hungry bellies – their current monthly rice delivery is half a metric tonne and rising, as there are 68 plus mouths to feed! Whilst they would love to take of more children, funds are limited, and the Indian charity is now at its limit of the number of children it can support with the funds we are able to send. Part of the funding would be to include the expansion in the number of staff as we believe, here in the UK, in a higher staff to child ratio than what is required by law in India.
The next picture below is the ‘middle’ – where we were at the end of 2014 and the building was opened on 01 March 2015: dormitories for the children, a study/ eating hall, kitchen and offices, and residence for staff to be on site, 24-7.
Jan 2015, really taking shape as the funds allow it
The children all attend a local school, and their education is an important part of their preparation for life. They have hired a tutor who works with the children in the evenings, to help them with homework and any extra educational support required. All of the children are thriving academically, with progress being made by each one, year-on-year. Some of the children have achieved first rank within their class. As sponsors, whilst we are pleased that the children do so well in school, we also recognise that their overall well-being is of more importance, and we only ask that the charity encourages the children to work to the best of their ability. If that is last in class, then their best is good enough!
The children also enjoy a lot of playtime. And your funding helps provide skipping ropes, cricket sets, Karam boards and footballs, all of which are healthy part of leisure time in life at the home.
The children attend a child-friendly church which is committed to the loving, spiritual direction of the home’s charges.