Articles and information from New Hope India which was founded in 1985 by Eliazar T Rose, the son of two leprosy patients, who has dedicated his life to helping India’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Eliazar was featured in the National magazine India Today in 1996 as an an “Angel of Hope” and referred to as a “Helping hand”. Again in 2013 Eliazar and Ruth were awarded into “Hall of Fame” of the Civil Society India.

Nurses

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NURSES.

THE BEGINNING OF NURSE TRAINING BY NEW HOPE – when we made the move from Jeevan Jyothi Home in Vizianagaram to Kothavalasa there was in a separate room a group of 10 Class students. In those day circa 2008 – 10Class was almost the ultimate of educate for the social and financial section of many families. Our 10class had many students who were from leprosy colony backgrounds. If I write TODAY AND SAY THAT ‘GETTING GIRLS INTO Nursing and with a scholarship and at a Government District Hospital is difficult = IT’S NOTHING > compared to the admission of the three senior girls with Ruth. Girls needed to be much more than just good mark and followed by exams and tests that were hard to imagine.
Between two women Trustees of linked Trusts – Maggie sister – Australia and Elizabeth Toon – UK Trust have given and raised funds many times to ensure that funds were made available for senior girls wishing to become nurses.

Motivated by many factors and including the incredible fund raising in Broome with the December function we are ear marking funds for Nursing Scholarship. Putting the support into Fixed Deposits at the Bank – ready for the always hoped for ‘accepted for nursing’ letter. When a senior girl gets this we New Hope have (like all selected for the year by the Government) – get 24 hours to ‘be there’ ready and with Fees, Uniforms and certified Certificates. In 2023 we have been so fortunate to have 2 seniors admitted. There are now 3 Nurses in Training Including Parvithra who is doing a Primary Health Care course. Renuka has now completed and waiting appointment. Babi who completed her course and is engaged will try to enroll for higher Nursing skills if funding became available B.Sc-Nursing.

 

 
Between two women Trustees of linked Trusts – Maggie sister – Australia and Elizabeth Toon – UK Trust have given and raised funds many times to ensure that funds were made available for senior girls wishing to become nurses.

Motivated by many factors and including the incredible fund raising in Broome with the December function we are ear marking funds for Nursing Scholarship. Putting the support into Fixed Deposits at the Bank – ready for the always hoped for ‘accepted for nursing’ letter. When a senior girl gets this we New Hope have (like all selected for the year by the Government) – get 24 hours to ‘be there’ ready and with Fees, Uniforms and certified Certificates. In 2023 we have been so fortunate to have 2 seniors admitted.

There are now 3 Nurses in Training Including Parvithra who is doing a Primary Health Care course. Renuka has now completed and waiting appointment. Babi who completed her course and is engaged will try to enroll for higher Nursing skills if funding became available B.Sc-Nursing.

NURSES FUND: Having funds ready when ‘out of blue’ a senior girl is selected for Nurse Training and has 24 hour o REPORT for TRAINING:

PAYPAL -Monthly $60 * or Nurse Grant $720. *

The situation has changed a lot as of 2023 BUT IT IS STILL NOT AN EASY ADMISSION. More girls are educated in reality and so the number of applicants increased maybe four fold.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO A NURSING FUND?
$50 WOULD HELP BUY NEEDED Text Books. Nurses need when starting 2 Uniforms $42.
Write if you would like more information newhopeindia@live.com

FEB 2024

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BACK TO HOME

NEW HOPE INDIASUPPORTER UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2024

New Hope Rural Leprosy Trust – working for change, reaching out with care and education.

For me as the Director and speaking for the New Hope Trustees and Staff, the Facebook picture alongside from Deanne, Friends of New Hope Australia’s Secretary, says it all.This India – Australia friendship will have been sustained for 20 years in October. It cannot be measured in individual achievements but by the simple fact that it reaches out and has impacts that are at times truly unimaginable – even for me. The words ‘leprosy’, ‘education’ and ‘disability’ are part of New Hope Trustee’s own life experiences. Eliazar T RoseDirector, New Hope India

CARE AND EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

We are so thankful to all who through sponsorship make care and education of the children and young people with us possible.
Raju (right) who came to us as a baby with impaired vision, is now at college. Sunitha with a background that cannot be expressed in truth – it’s all behind her now, her goal is to study Nursing at college.

The journey of life for all of these young people did not start with a smooth path. Beverley Selten, Friends of New Hope Australia’s Chairperson (pictured left with Sunitha) learnt this again on her last visit.

NAMASTE HOUSE, MUNIGUDA

Namaste House is home for our challenged young people.The old photo above was like the symbol of Namaste House. The children, when first seen by our late Maggie sister, devastated her. The house and children were one of her first fund raisers.Funds were raised for corrective surgery in Visakhapatnam. Then through a Rotarian friend, funds were raised for the first ever vaccination storage facility in Odisha – a solar powered freezer for polio vaccines – as was the need in those days. We had long eradicated it prior to India being ‘Polio Free’.During all of this we also accepted – out of sheer compassion – children with serious challenges. So challenged that many families literally just abandoned them.

Limma 

Limma came to us as a ‘nothing boy’, abandoned – in real terms – and was given to us as a ‘burden’. Yet he adjusted, slowly coping with his situation. The woman who really ‘made him’, his Care Person, gave up her own family time for many years.

Chikki

Some might say Chikki exists in her own self but in real terms she has far more ‘going on’ than the casual observer sees. Recently, her long time sponsor sent some gifts (thank you Michael). From being with her we understood she comprehended.

UPGRADED WATER SYSTEM

New Hope suffered at many different levels during and as a result of Covid, as well as two extremely hot summers. Our green projects simply deteriorated and staffing was a serious problem.At the bottom of it all was the stress of not having our water system in order as it had previously been. However now, through a generous donor, we have come to a point where we will be back to being far more self-sufficient short and long term. Tony Selten (pictured below), a regular long time visitor (with his wife Beverley) put it all in order. We will never face the water storage issues and impact of a lack of workers with the irrigation system Tony has installed. Tony involved all of the senior boys and there is no doubt that they learnt – from hands on work – skills that will stay with them. Simple skills to make minor repairs is really not embedded in our society. Few families or homes have basic tools for minor repairs. The concept of ‘handy person’ is not there but our seniors now have seen and learnt so much.

LIFE-CHANGING BICYCLES

Since our last newsletter, we have been able to gift three bicycles to senior students. These bikes improve student’s and other’s day to day life. The ‘Milk Boy’ bike is used by whoever takes our morning surplus milk to the nearby Milk Depot.

Side note: a well known New Hope child to all visitors, Vasu was accepted into a mini village Vet Course by the recognised Visakaka Dairy Institute (and despite having a speech impediment, he passed fifth year high school).Vamsi lives and cares for his aged Gran, who is blind and, at 85 years (or so), ‘too old’ to have cataract eye surgery. He saves three hours and Rs150 a day in getting to College.

Ram works in the early morning grazing neighbours goats, before walking or hitching rides to junior College. He now rides a bike to and from home, where he lives with his Grandmother.This care for young people at home is the responsibility of Ramu, our in the city in charge.To all who gave funds for bicycles – thank you.

NURSING TRAINING – THE BEGINNING

When New Hope made the move from Jeevan Jyothi Home in Vizianagaram to Kothavalasa there was a separate room for a group of 10th Class students. In those days, circa 2008, 10th Class was almost the ultimate level of education due to the social and financial situation of many families. Our 10th Class had many students who were from leprosy colony backgrounds.

If I say that today it is difficult to get girls into Nursing with a scholarship at a Government District Hospital – it’s nothing compared to back when we started. The girls needed much more than just a good mark – with exams and tests that were hard to imagine.
Two women, Maggie Sister from Australia and Elizabeth Toon from the United Kingdom, gave and raised funds many times to ensure that funds were made available for senior girls wishing to become nurses.
Now, motivated by many factors including recent fundraising events such as the Christmas markets in Broome (see below), we are marking funds for Nursing Scholarships. These funds will ensure we are ready for the always hoped for ‘accepted for nursing’ letter. When a senior girl gets this letter, New Hope have (like all selected for the year by the Government) 24 hours to be ready, including with fees, uniforms and certified certificates.
In 2023 we have been so fortunate to have two seniors admitted. There are now three nurses in training, including Parvithra who is doing a Primary Health Care course; Renuka who has now completed and is waiting appointment; and Babi who completed her course and is engaged in employment. Babi is also enrolled for higher Nursing skills (Bachelor of Nursing). All require financial assistance.
The situation has changed a lot as of 2024 but it is still not an easy admission. More girls are educated in reality and so the number of applicants increase, maybe four fold.
Would you like to give towards supporting nursing scholarships? Contact newhopeindia@live.com

BROOME SIP AND SHOP CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Funds raised by the Broome Sip and Shop Christmas Markets in its second year allowed New Hope to supply many more Love Bundles to those with great need. Love Bundles not only meet the immediate needs of people but show love. As the event was so successful, New Hope has been able to implement the Maggie Sister Nursing Fund for our young women pursing nursing careers. Thank you Broome!Maggie lived in Broome for many years and it’s a tribute to her and her community that this fund be set up in her name. Maggie’s work with New Hope, in leprosy colonies, with children disabled by polio and others, earnt her an OAM. Her dream and vision was for senior girls to have an opportunity to become nurses. The many thanks include Lisa and Craig Spicer for their organization of the event, and Ian McConnell for donating an artwork for use in fundraising.

Fundraising success in Perth – Indian Banquet & Bazaar

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This month we hosted our Indian Banquet & Bazaar in Perth.

The day included an array of gourmet food and drinks at Chakra Restaurant.

We sold beautiful hand-crafted Indian goods and a selection of donated antique jewellery.

We had a raffle and auction. Prizes included a $1000 voucher for Hamelin Bay Seaclusion and Park Lane jewellery set.

I’d like to say thank you to our event attendees, our hosts Chakra Restaurant, and the generous donators. You helped us raise $3300 for New Hope!

This money will be used to purchase Love Bundles and help with other important projects.

We look forward to seeing you all at our next event – the Love Boat Cruise Feb 2024.

Learn more about our 2023 Love Boat Cruise

[avatar user=”kpchatt” size=”thumbnail” align=”left” /] Kimberley, New Hope Australia.

An Indian Banquet & Bazaar in Perth

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Fundraiser in Perth

Join us for an afternoon of exquisite food, entertainment and Christmas shopping this November!  

Event Details 

  • Date: Saturday 4 November 2023 
  • Time: 11:30am to 2:30pm 
  • Location: Chakra Restaurant, 841 Beaufort Street, Inglewood WA 6052
  • Cost: $70 per person 

You can purchase tickets on Humanitix.

There is ample on-street parking around the venue. 

Foodie Fundraiser

Experience the sensational food and ambience of Chakra Restaurant, one of Perth’s most applauded Indian restaurants. You can expect fresh, traditional home-style Indian cuisine that includes an array of canapes, curries, and dessert. Chakra is also known for its excellent cocktail (and mocktail) selection, and their chefs have kindly offered to provide a demonstration of their culinary techniques.  

BUY TICKETS NOW

Indian Crafts and Jewellery

We will have a selection of handmade Indian crafts on sale, including traditional printed cotton tablecloths, throws and bags. Expect high-quality goods for your own enjoyment, or as perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends.   

Expect a fine selection of jewellery, both old and new, from the collections of some of our generous New Hope friends and supporters.  

The Raffle 

Always very popular, the prizes this year are exceptional. Don’t miss this opportunity to be in the draw for a stunning original canvas hand painted by renowned artist Denise Walker, as well as a many other wonderful prizes. 

BUY TICKETS NOW

Unable to attend this event? Why not donate a New Hope Love Bundle for just $20 via our website.

[avatar user=”kpchatt” size=”thumbnail” align=”left”]Kimberley, New Hope Australia[/avatar]

New Hope India Newsletter Aug 2023

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NEW HOPE INDIA SUPPORTER UPDATE
Greetings from many people who know that so many in Australia are connected to them and their community – New Hope India.

We are halfway through the year and it’s hard to believe how much has happened at New Hope. First, we are truly thankful to all who have given to different projects and to children through sponsorship.

New Hope has always worked ‘horizontally’ – covering needs and situations as they arise not just a single vertical project. This means we see staff doing such a cross section of work that it takes time to absorb it all. From small but meaningful acts by Ramu giving Mother’s Day gifts to street women in the city, to discovering a whole new leprosy colony previously unknown to us!

Thank you for taking the time to read this update.

Eliazar T Rose
Director, New Hope India
DISCOVERING A NEW LEPROSY COLONY IN 2023

I know something of Australia, the South West and I ask you to imagine this! You have lived there for 25 years and someone says; “Do you know there is an incredible waterfall just an hour from where you live?” You are amazed and say, “no”. Well, after 20-plus years in Muniguda and having been to some of the remotest areas (including a place called Raghubari where people were scared when they saw a tall white-skinned woman – Maggie Sister – walking uphill to a plateau!) this is kind of what recently happened to us.

For years we have had a severely deformed young leprosy-affected person coming and going but never really telling us where he came from or went to. After a serious food and care situation he told us that he and a group of leprosy-affected people have been living reasonably near to us, down a road that we never travel on because it takes too long to go anywhere. A new leprosy colony in 2023! It bewildered the staff. They decided to stay ‘isolated’ because of social family connection reasons.

All of the people were from nearby villages and they were near to their villages, but in a forest area that is mostly thorn bushes so dense that even a goat won’t go down. A totally established mini village made from scraps of everything. We now care for this ‘new’ leprosy colony and twice a week give a ‘deluxe’ – as they call it – meal. There are children born in the colony and for me and one of our trustees, it reminded us of our lives 60 years ago.
MUNIGUDA

There is no newsletter without Namaste House. The government says it is called the ‘Care Home for Persons with Disabilities’. It’s the only such care home in western Odisha and although we are recognised, no support is offered or available. It’s a sad situation at one level but on the other level we are their guardians – their only family.
Three of our Namaste residents went to a State-level Challenged Young People’s Sports Competition. Our challenged children move around as much as their disability allows and they are also supported to move around for exercise. It’s no wonder that our Namaste group got prizes!
Now in the last six months we see Namaste young people just going along and enjoying their routine. Made happy that Covid is over, they can wander over and talk to the senior Tribal women who are back for eye checkups and cataract eye surgery.
CATARACT EYE SURGERY

On eye surgery, one of our seniors is now qualified as a Technician and has employment with a new national chain of hospitals that specialises in cataract eye surgery. Another two Nurses have qualified and are working or doing practical time, two have started a Nursing course, and in a few months one or two senior girls will be applying for admissions (a long, difficult application process).
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

The State Government change of education policy has totally disrupted many lives and young people’s educational system and situation. However, our seniors always get back at every chance to Kothavalasa for a few days or weeks and summer holidays. I call it ‘the return of the circus’ as they are here and there! Their time here is social but at the same time they are engaged, especially the boys in doing work all through the community.
MICRO INDUSTRIES

Do you know what ‘paper marbling’ is? It’s fairly easy to do and the results get examined by each of those in the small groups that get together. It’s been a long-time hobby and social activity at New Hope but is now rarely done by anyone. Our students paste the envelope-sized pieces on their school notebook. Now they are asked by other students for prints – it’s become an ‘in thing’!

Jeevan Jyothi and Kusuma (below) making extra pocket money decorating plain bangles which nearby village women buy as quickly as they make. We are sure that they would sell at stalls in Australia but the reality today is that postage makes 75 per cent of all products that people would like to buy simply not economical or viable.
VASU AND THE COWS

We have just spent funds replanting four acres of grass seedlings for cow feed. Our previous Napier grass simply died of age! We now have a plant that needs less water and has quicker re-growth. We planted ‘extra grass’ because Pete Towns and a friend we call ‘The Walker’ keep supporting our ‘buy a cow appeal’. We now sell the surplus as income.The cows are ‘managed’ by a cross section of seniors. Gopi, who like others has helped, is still going to high school. In this photo is K. Vasu, now 6′ tall and smart (except that I have to continually remind him to ‘trim or shave!!!!’ – it’s my ‘thing’).

Vasu has a small speech impediment and finds it hard to pronounce some ‘dumb’ English words like ‘know’, ‘knot’ and then knowing the difference between ‘there’ and ‘their’. He calls Anil and spells the word and Anil patiently spends five minutes explaining and helping him to pronounce a word. Vasu laughs, Anil laughs, then Vasu explains it to others … who already know anyway. He is a character.

He has just successfully passed fifth-year high school as an Intermediate at an Agriculture College. From this he has now been given a ‘free’ two months hands-on and theory cow management course at a centre called Visaka Dairy. This course is recognised as an Indira Gandhi Open University course with accommodation and meals included. So he has been told to shave every day!!
MOTHERING SUNDAY

There was a newspaper piece about Mother’s Day, which became a discussion and then Ramu asked, “why don’t we give street women a Mother’s Day gift?” When Ramu asks, all I do is nod as I know he’s going to do it anyway! We took the front pieces of Christmas cards from friends in the UK (Soroptimist, Manchester) and made a card which went with a sari and of course a banana. We are now committed to giving one woman, who is not far from where Ramu has his micro-size pigeonhole office, a meal every day. She has been in the same place for three years because of Covid. We offered her a place at New Hope, but with her mental situation she believes she can’t shift as her daughter will come back and pick her up (unfortunately not realising that her daughter left her there).
KONDH DONGRIA TRIBAL COMMUNITY

We remain committed to working with and supporting the Tribal Communities that surround our area. By New Hope India selling the handmade traditional shawls it gives many women work while they sit in huts on stilts, watching that the birds don’t eat their crop close to harvest time. After many arguments and red tape these shawls have been given a ‘G’ mark which means they can only be made now by this Tribal group of women.

We also continue to give out Safe Delivery kits to the whole tribal community.
HIV CLINIC UPDATE

We have been designated as one of only four Non-Government Organisations in the State to be able to distribute anti retro viral drugs for HIV+ persons. This saves many women and young people hours of bus travel, often having to change buses and stand in a long line when they got to the central Government pharmacy. This is changing the quality of life of many, especially widows on a micro pension, who were spending part of that on bus fares to get their medications – an irony.
FINAL WORDS

I wish to share a simple reality with so many who have supported our work. We increased the number of cows we have, with one man and his family making it happen, and a long-time friend ‘The Walker” adding to it.

The goat house was repaired, again made a reality by one man. Every child who is receiving education, from our youngest who is now getting taller and stronger (U. Sai to Sumanth who is about to have a university seat allocated to him for studies towards a doctor MBBS).
Sponsorship is a ‘magic key’. It is impossible to explain that a majority of senior girls now going in and out and staying in safe hostels are from poor backgrounds (I think you say in Australia, ‘the other side of the railway tracks’). You can find out how to become a child sponsor here.

That expression was a truth for me – the Bethany Colony since my early days is still a hutment slum leprosy colony, literally on the other side of the railway line.

We still support women working in Bethany so they do not have to go begging. They make the bags many have seen and purchased.

For project information please email newhopeindia@live.com.

Love Boat Fundraiser Success

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A big thank you to everyone who attended our Love Boat Fundraiser in Perth.

We shared lots of stories and laughter while cruising along the Swan River. You helped us raise nearly $5000. We are so thankful and excited to send this money to New Hope.

On board we sold Indian jewellery, crafts, bags and copies of Maggie Sister’s book, Sister, Sister. We also held a raffle and sold delicious homemade fudge. The money raised from the jewellery sales is funding the operation and maintenance of Jean’s Tea House.

We enjoyed live music, drinks and nibbles. A very  successful event for everyone involved. So much gratitude to the organisers, donators and attendees.

We look forward to welcoming you at our future fundraising events!