Dear Paolo,

Greetings to you and to all our friends there in Italy who are associated with us and our mission here with your love, concern and support.

Here I am to thank you specially for the valuable time you are giving in contacting persons who can help you in this noble work and I thank you for the help you have sent for the children. Mother Maria shared with us the work you are doing for the sake of the poor children here. A very Big Thank you and May God continue to bless you and all your dear ones. May our Lord bless all your efforts in reaching out to the poorest and the needy children of this area. Thanks for the sweets and the food stuff that you sent for us. We can never thank you enough for the good work you are doing. We assure you of our prayers and best wishes always. The children too remember you for your visit and pray for you and the benefactors daily.

This year we have 317 children in the boarding. We have two sisters who are taking care of the boarding. Sr. Margaret George is in-charge of the higher section and Sr. Margaret D’Souza is in-charge of the primary section. They are assisted by four wardens so that individual attention is given to the children. We have two professional teachers working with us who take regular study classes for the children. This year we had 29 new admissions to the first standard and they are all doing well. We gave special attention to one remote village called Kapurnia which was not encouraging the girl child for education due to poverty. Through regular visits to that village and motivation we have succeeded in getting 11 children for the first standard from this village. The tiny tots are very happy and eager to attend school. There were no dropouts this year which shows that there is eagerness in the children to study and also the parents are cooperating. This year 19 girls passed the twelfth class. Four are doing a professional teachers course and four are doing a course in computer appliances, the other eleven are doing the GNM [General Nursing and Midwifery]. The GNM is a three and a half year course. The girls who were enrolled last year have passed their first year exams and are doing well. We indeed feel a great sense of joy and satisfaction as we see our girls coming up in life. It is because of you and many other generous benefactors who bring smiles and joy to the little ones and to those deprived in life. Thanks a lot dear Paolo for your generosity and the sacrifices you make for the sake of the children. We are indeed very, very grateful to you and to all those who help us.

Our prayer for you is this that you may always find joy in reaching out in love and service. May the joy you receive abound more and more in your life and may it go out to others.

“Lord, I know you created me for a special purpose to serve you in a unique way-

You have given me a gift and talents, a certain something no one else has.

Help me to be a valuable link in the chain of humanity. Help me to find peace and meaning in what I do knowing no one else can be me.”

Regards from all the sisters and the staff here at Ashadeep.

With much love and prayers,

Sr. Neeta Lopes.

Ashadeep.
Fulwadi.