One of The Rotary Club of Alford & Mablethorpes long established connections is with Lincs With India, a charity that provides much needed support to a hostel in Stedland, Tamil Nadu in India that provides a home for 100 children to attend the local school.
The hostel was originally started to provide accommodation and support (food , clothing and schooling fees) for tribal children, enabling them to receive an education. From its small beginnings in a hut built on land provided by a local family, the project has grown to provide support for 100 poor children in two purpose built buildings, who otherwise would not receive an education and would be expected to work.
Members of our local Rotary Club have been and still are actively involved in this project, raising funds, mainly through sponsorships and by visits annually to support the management and children.
Our most recent club involvement has been to provide dining room equipment, enabling all the children to have a separate area where they can eat their meals together. £2,000 was raised, half from club funds and half from a matching Rotary District grant. Due to financial constraints, completion of the dining room has proven difficult but during a recent visit, club member and Chairman of Lincs with India Jim Needley was delighted to oversee the installation of the new dining room equipment in a temporary building while the final structure awaits completion. Jim said, ‘In all the times I have visited the children I have never seen them sit down at a table to have a meal as they usually have set on the floor. It’s wonderful to see their happy faces so thanks to Rotary for their help.’
We are delighted to continue our long association with Lincs with India, said Nigel Collins, the Clubs Foundation Chairman and are grateful for the support of a matching district grant which has made such a difference to the lives of the children.
Further information about Lincs with India can be found here lincswithindia.org.uk
