Project description
In 1999, after seeing the plight of the very poor children in the Bangalore area, we decided to begin raising funds to ease their situation. We have now completed a primary school with crèche / nursery and enabled the two final senior years (our 5th & 6th classes) to be established. When we began working in this area, there were 150 children attending the existing small school with a huge drop out figure. We are now delighted to say we have 635 children and provide protein biscuits in the morning for the crèche/nursery pupils, a hot mid-day meal for all, school transportation, vaccinations and full medical care.

We have now taken on a further project at Panakahalli and surrounding villages - building small houses, re-structuring others, providing electricity and water, assisting with education nd craft training and providing school meals for the children of six small extremely poor villages (each about 45 families) at the foothills of the Niligris mountains. The majority of the population are Dhalits, the fourth strata of the irreversible social order.

Target Group
At our school – located on the grounds of the Benedictine Order in Bangalore, we provide for the very poor children of farm labourers. These labourers (could) very often have no work due to the drought and consequently have no means whatsoever to support their families.

At our second project, Panakahalli & surrounding villages, we aim to provide for these desperately poor villages, to give them some human dignity in living standards, provide food and to educate the children to equip them for a better life.


What does the project involve?
We have built a school and are providing education, medical facilities, hot mid-day meals, clothes when needed and school transportation morning and afternoon. We are providing all facilities from crèche/nursery to 4th class – and food for the entire school. The Benedictine Monastery is providing the facilities from 5th class to final year. Creche/nursery facilities are very necessary as almost every girl – 8 onwards has up until now, had to take care of the younger siblings as their mothers worked in the fields. Now, the younger children get taken care of with food, vaccinations and medical attention , while the older child has a chance to get education. There are no religious barriers. Children of all religions – Hindu, Christian, Muslim etc. are most welcome.

The second project involves building some new houses, re-structuring, plastering and re-roofing other houses, building a small community hall, providing electricity and water where needed, providing school meals and assisting with the education of the children at Panakahalli and surrounding villages.

Who will oversee the Project:
Hands of Hope have established a Bangalorian couple – Peter & Janet Aranha to oversee both projects. They are a most dedicated and caring couple and are very efficient – reporting to us on a weekly basis – giving their valued opinions and helping us see all situations from an Indian point of view. Our previous lady at the helm – Mrs. Miriam Walter has emigrated to New Zealand but still has Hands of Hope in her heart and is in regular communication with advice etc.

Our Further Aims
To continue to support the children at our school on the grounds of the Benedictine Monastery.

To provide assistance with higher level education or technical training for graduates of our school who are not in any position to go forward financially on their own. (At present we have 28 such students and their school grades this year were excellent).

At our latest project, Panakahalli – to take each need – one at a time, and provide the appropriate assistance to these forgotten people.