Children’s fund makes a difference

THE HEAD of a Hinckley charity supporting students in India says donations from schools, groups and individuals around the borough have enabled many youngsters to continue their schooling in the past 12 months.

Phil Nevett, who leads the Jesuit Nevett Fund for children has reported some of the fund’s many successes during 2017.

A primary school supported by the charity in north west Bengal has moved to new premises and appointed a new head teacher.

Its pupils, many from a lepers’ village, are achieving high standards and securing places in upper schools because of their good education.

In Tamil Nadu, the fun helps hundreds of students in 16 colleges and schools by giving small bursaries for books, hostel fees, uniforms, travel etc which allows them to continue their education.

At St Mathias High School in Pondicherry the charity has paid for a dusty and rutted playground to be replaced with an all-weather surface and has been sponsoring female sixth formers to help them achieve the equivalent of A levels in the hope that they will go on to higher education.

And at St Francis School, also in Pondicherry, it has helped to set up a secure computer room and is paying a teacher’s wage for two years.

The fund is also helping those affected by a global drop in demand for tea, which has forced many tea-gardens in the Darjeeling to close, leaving families without income and homes.

The fund is paying for youngsters to attend evening classes to help them gain qualifications which should help them find better jobs and therefore be better able to help to support their families.

Find out more about the fund on Facebook or call Hinckley 440570 or email phil.nevett@btinternet.com

To make a donation, make cheques payable to The Jesuit Nevett Fund and send to 48 Butt Lane, Hinckley, LE10 1LD.