BluArrow Trust
PROJECTS
Shining Light School - Pune
Located just over 100 miles from Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), Pune is an old city that was much favoured by the British in years gone by and to this day it shows clear signs of the extent to which the British military had an establishment in the area.
Funded entirely by charitable donations, Shashi & Neelam Rajan, along with their son Benjamin and his wife Dami, have managed to see an amazing school develop for the children from a nearby slum who otherwise would have no chance of schooling as there is no state education provision available in this city.
Founded in 2011 with just a handful of little children in a nursery project, the need for something bigger and better was pressed upon them. Today there are 215 children currently enrolled in the full time day school and they are receiving a good basic education in English, maths, reading, writing and life skills.
They are also learning Bible stories and singing Christian songs. The children taste the love of Christ and then talk about it to their parents. This has been so well received that we are being urged to ‘grow’ the school to cater to older children. Shashi & Neelam have also conducted four ‘parenting’ classes for mothers with each being attended by at least 60 parents.
At this time, apart from providing some funding, our main contribution is that Janie spends time each year teaching the teachers (she does know what she is doing!). This vital input makes a significant difference to the future prospects of each and every child as they cannot learn what is not being taught. Janie's input is vital for the growth and development of the school and the students and we are thrilled to be able to make this difference every time we go.
The Shelter
Since April 2014, the team has been ‘sheltering’ a number of street children after they had been forced to leave their previous home and on occasions simply abandoned by their parents.
This was a totally unexpected development and the team is now seeking direction as to how to proceed next.
At this time there are 23 children under the care of the project, though it varies between 8 and 25 on a weekly basis.
Some of these children have parents who are unemployed and separated due to the husband’s unfaithfulness. Some make a daily living, occasionally, by selling balloons on the streets of Pune. The rest of the time they beg. Few are able to get work on a daily wage basis and for this reason many just hand the children over and ask for help.
Sadly others wait at the end of the school day but no-one comes to collect them.
BluArrow Trust has been able to provide funding for a mental health worker for the past two years and significant support for the food budget every month.
We plan to continue this into the coming years.
You can learn more about Birmingham City Mission here:
BCM Homeless Centre
Birmingham City Mission Care Centre serves hot meals and drinks to around 70 to 90 guests each day and provides toiletries and clothing to people in very real need of support. Staff and volunteers work with guests to find solutions to issues such as accommodation, jobs, rehab, benefits and health. Above all the Care Centre is a safe space to come and talk. Many of its guests are isolated and come for the companionship and sense of family they find there. Care Centre guests are often rough sleepers or living in a hostel. They may have learning difficulties, addictions, mental health problems or lack of money, facilities or skills. The Care Centre team offers practical and emotional support to guests who are often living through great difficulties and loneliness.
King Alfred School - Dudley UK
This remarkable Christian school is seeking to serve local families by offering affordable, high quality education to prepare children to live virtuous lives. As the team strive to offer a small and friendly environment where students’ talents can be nurtured we wish to pass on to these children the rich cultural heritage of the Christian West. The team aspire to graduate students who are knowledgeable individuals with the ability to think logically and independently. The goal is to help raise up young men and women who are well rounded and equipped to succeed in the wider world. This is truly a remarkable project.
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C.S Lewis
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage."
It is hoped that within the next 4 months the school will relocate to a new facility which is an ex local authority school which is being purchased outright by the charity. With the potential to accommodate just over 200 students, the dawn of a new educational advent is upon the whole community! Join with us in raising funds for this amazing project. For more info: https://www.thekingalfredschool.co.uk/