Archive for April, 2010
Getting Caught Up
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Alright I know it is the middle of April and I haven’t posted anything for some time and it’s not because I haven’t wanted too, it’s just that I am not motivated; a huge dry spell has overtaken me in the motivation department.
This isn’t to say I don’t get stuff done but outside of housework and dropping off and picking up the kids from school, oh yeah, and getting on an airplane, motivation is lacking when it comes to spending time on the ole computer getting things cranked out. Maybe the problem is more of just starting that it is in finishing, even now I am getting somewhat excited, wait, I know, I need some extra motivation, hey, how about I treat myself to a scoop of ice cream this afternoon for every paragraph I type? This sounds good but then that goes against my waist line and would upset the lack of motivation I have about going downstairs and exercising on the elliptical or hitting the weights. I need something else to get me going, hmmm, maybe, well to be honest with you there isn’t anything that I want that I really should have so I guess I will just suffer, ok, keep typing I can do this.
Highlights…. In March I made several trips to Santa Rosa California and was awestruck at the difference a few can make. BollywoodH20 was a huge success and it looks like we raised around $14,000 which will go a long way in providing water to some very thirsty places. I capped off March with a trip down to Southern California and spoke in my cousin’s church and was greeted by a very warm response to the Wells for Life message and in turn the church was able to fund 2 water projects. What was really special for me was to learn that a good percentage of what was raised was done so by the school age children and this by just collecting loose change and pestering Dad and Mom for the “green” stuff.
Making an impact in the world is really not all that difficult.
People think they have to be big, powerful, wealthy, important or influential to make an impact and yet the reality is, they don’t, more specifically, you don’t. Follow me…. One child in the States can find a way to earn, receive, or come upon some money very easily, say $20. $20 to a kid may be a lot or maybe not much depending upon their age and the socio-economic status, regardless, coming upon $20 is fairly easy. Now, take that $20 and give it to me.
What can I do with it?
A lot.
I can change the course of life with just $20, actually, all I need is $3.
$3 is the average cost to bring water to a person in India. $20 brings water to at least 6 people and then let’s say 7 as the 7th can be a baby.
How do you change the world? Very simply and very easily, you give to Wells for Life and you watch us turn your money into water.
Right now kids are changing history; they are getting involved with Wells for Life. Kids at private Christian schools in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, kids at public schools in Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee and Overland Park, KS and not to mention kids in Sonoma County CA.
The Human Race in Sonoma County is happening next month and last year they raised enough money for 10 village water projects, this year they want to surpass that goal and I don’t see why they can’t accomplish it. I am thrilled about what they are seeking to do and so much so I am taking my family out to Northern California next month to join them and the name of the team? Team Running Well. Get it? Pretty clever huh.
You want to be involved? Visit this link and donate. http://humanrace.kintera.org/wellsforlife
We’ll take what you give us and turn it into water, life changing water. I dare you to give and when you do why not give big. After all giving small helps a few but giving big helps many.
Take a clue from kids in KS and CA, make a difference in the world by giving a few dollars, but since you’re and adult, why just give money like a kid, give like a grown man or woman and write a big check or input a big number on the Donate Now button.
Your gift is tax deductible and just imagine how many lives you can positively impact with your donation. I promise, I will turn your money into life saving water.
One final thought, there are a group of men at Lansing Federal Correctional Facility that have turned their lives around and even in prison they are wanting to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, specifically in India by providing a dollar here and a dollar there. Last Fall I had the chance to visit this prison and met these guys and told them firsthand about our work and was amazed to learn that they wanted to be involved. Knowing that their earnings in prison are minimal and that it would take a long time for them to collectively come up with enough money to fund even 1 water project I decided to commit to them that Wells for Life or one of it donors would match their giving, dollar for dollar so as to get them to their goal of $1,500.
What I am look for now is someone or a group of people who would be willing to partner with the guys from Lansing and see water come to India on their behalf. If you would like to help in this regard send your gift with a memo attached stating it’s for the Lansing guys and I will make sure it get’s added with their money. http://www.wellsforlife.org/get_involved/how-to-give/
— Michael
Project Proposal, Infant Jesus HS, Maravanur, Manaparai TK
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
PROJECT APPLICATION
| 1. | Name of the Project | : | Project Proposal to Provide drinking water to the students studying at Infant Jesus High School, Maravanur, Manaparai Tk, Tiruchirappalli Dt, Tamil Nadu, India. | |
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| 2. | Applicant | : | C. Maria Susai M.Sc., M.Ed.,
Managing Trustee and Head Master, Infant Jesus High School Maravanaur Samuthiram post, Manaparai -621306, Tiruchirapalli District, Tamilnadu, India. |
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| 3. | Legal Holder | : | Rev. Fr.S. Dhanapragasam,
President, Trichy HFH, 25, Annai Nagar, Pitchandarkoil – 621216 Tiruchirappalli (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India. |
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| 4. | Project to be Implemented | : | Infant Jesus High School,
Maravanur. |
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| 5. | Beneficiaries of the project | : | 581 Rural and dalit girls and boys, students of Infant Jesus High School | |
In order to provide and to promote secondary school education at the most backward rural area Infant Jesus High School was started in June 2002 by Millennium Educational and Environmental Trust. As there was no high school of any type within radius of 10Kms from the Village of Maravanur, the school enrollment has increased year after year.
The school strength for the Academic year 2009-2010 is given below:
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Std |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
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VI |
43 |
30 |
73 |
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VII |
52 |
37 |
89 |
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VIII |
79 |
47 |
126 |
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IX |
92 |
60 |
152 |
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X |
76 |
65 |
141 |
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TOTAL |
342 |
239 |
581 |
All these students come from more than 40 villages and their parents are daily wages earners or cattle raisers. 42% of them are from Dalit families; 26% of them are from most backward families and the rest are from backward families. Education is freely given to all and we are committed to give quality education and holistic formation to these Children of God.
Infant Jesus High School is a Tamil Medium School, recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Government gives free text books to all students, free noon – meal for 340 students and free bus pass for 360 students. Our X standard result is always above 92% and our service at this rural area is well appreciated.
Water is life we say. Protected drinking water enhances health for all. Pure drinking water is essential for the normal growth and overall development of each student. The school had a bore well which provided water for drinking, Cooking, and washing. The bore well was in school ground and it’s was very near to NH 45. The Government is extending high ways on both sides of road, laying 4 ways which resulted in abolishing of the school bore well. We have lost the school bore well in January 2010 and we are in great trouble in providing water for our school students. At present water is brought from a nearby private well by two women. They carry water on their heads and it does not satisfy our daily requirements. At this context a project is prepared and is submitted for your kind and a favorable consideration.
Our Proposal
On the facts mentioned above, it has become an immediate and urgent need to dig a bore-well and construct over head tank for our school students. Water source is available at school ground. We have consulted water diviner and an engineer to confirm this and a grant is requested for $6,500.00. It is a one time grant which will make a big difference at school and will help us to solve many problems that we face now.
Our appeal and our Assurance
Infant Jesus High School is a Vernacular Medium High School in a hamlet, aiming at the service of the most backward, neglected poor children. Our students hail from very poor families and they manage to come to school because of free education, free test – books and free noon-meal. On behalf of these students I earnestly appeal to you to consider our project proposal favorably. Once the project is sanctioned, we assure you to implement it sincerely and will submit the completion report within three months.