Our newsletter will update you of major events of 2020 and 2021. Because of you, our friends of Fili, Inc., there has been a significant amount of restoration and healing at the orphanage in Kolkata, India. We have new donors that are supporting two specific projects. One in Guinea, Africa and the other in England.
Your donations meet needs and are love in action.
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Theotokos Orphanage and St. Ignatius School
Kolkata, India
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2020 at the Challenged Orphanage
First came the strict Covid lockdowns. Sister Nectaria was forbidden to leave the orphanage grounds to purchase food for the 150 children. Fortunately, she had stored basic nonperishables, their fishpond was productive, the garden was thriving, and the girls were taught to cook wild greens. As there was no outside help, the older children and grown girls prepared over 3000 meals a week, tutored the younger orphans with online studies, and managed all maintenance and repair.
In May, the record-breaking cyclone Amphan devastated the Bengal area. At the orphanage, windows were broken, roofs torn off, water storage tanks destroyed, gardens decimated, and trees uprooted. The monsoon rains followed, causing flooding of the already damaged buildings.
During this trying time, both the visa and passport of Sister Nectaria expired. Although there was no transportation out of India, there was the looming possibility of incarceration. To add to the challenges, the government made it impossible for NGO's to receive funds from outside of the country, and establishing new accounts was uncertain.
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The garden has been restored and critical for vegetables. Jhuma on the right --> joined the orphanage at 10 years old. She is a valued and seasoned teacher. And, a big sister to many.
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Greens and vegetables critical for survival. |
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The banana garden. The green ones are for cooking and the yellow ones are eaten like fruit. |
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2021 at the Recovering Orphanage
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Sister Nectaria had been able to obtain a temporary passport and was required to leave the orphanage just as the damages from the cyclone Amphan were being addressed and Covid raged. Sister Nectaria will not be permitted to return to India until the pandemic subsides.
Because of health fears, there were no cooks, nannies, or teachers permitted inside the compound. Pictured are Kassiani and Eva who are two of several of the oldest girls. These young adults are educated and seasoned teachers, who have taken charge under the constant direction of Sister by phone and Skype. The boys' section of the orphanage, added several years ago, has been successfully managed by Amit.
A new well was dug, the gardens were replanted, the fish were harvested, online schooling for the orphans was directed, a computer lab was established, and supplies obtained and delivered to the satellite schools for the needs children in surrounding villages. The capable young leaders of the orphanage along with the president of the PSOC (Philanthropic Society of Orthodox Christians, our partner NGO in India), held the first meeting with government officials regarding accreditation of the new school. The process is on going and not complete.
A new bank account for foreign funds was approved by the Indian government and the monthly funds sent have been received. Sister is happy that a competent accountant has been newly employed.
Many thanks to the kind donors for donations directed to the feeding program. There will be 10 fish dinners sponsored for the many homeless.
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Above: This is the well being dug in the boys' orphanage. The job is complete now. Many thanks to all! |
The computer lab has been stocked per the accreditation requirements. |
Books being prepared for distribution to the 5 outlying village schools for the new school year. |
Teachers for the 2021-2022 school year received their orientation in April in the new school. Sr. Nectaria spoke with them via Skype.
Teachers are presenting lessons online. The full staff must be compensated although there are no paying students in the school because of COVID restrictions.
As part of the accreditation requirements, all teachers, including those teachers in the outlying villages, have their salary set by the state and must be met.
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We give thanks for the blessings of this year and look forward to the future made possible by you, our Fili Friends.
- The upper floor of the new school building must be completed when it is financially supported.
- The covering of the school's central courtyard needs to be installed to offer protection from the searing sun and driving rain. A framework has been constructed, but the cover is, as yet, unaffordable.
- Full salary to all teaching staff is required for accreditation.
- Support is needed for the clinics, as well as the outlying village schools that provide education for children who cannot afford even the public schools.
- Work on the tiny house for the faithful guard has progressed but is yet incomplete for lack of funds.
- Seven orphans qualified for universities this year. Each student needs $800 a year for their tuition. Join us to sponsor a new university student.
- Until the new school receives accreditation, 8th through 12th grade students must pay to attend other schools in order to qualify for university.
Sister Nectaria says, "Education is one thing that can never be taken away from these children."
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A May Miracle: On May 23, 2021, Cyclone Yaas, predicted to be stronger than Amphan, spun in fury toward the area of the orphanage. Would the awful devastation of 2020 be repeated? Millions were evacuated, and tens of thousands were left homeless. Miraculously, the orphanage was spared. Those in charge exclaimed, "It was a miracle!"
Please view the documentaries about the Theotokos Orphanage EKOTA and EKOTA II on the Fili, Inc. website.
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Other Needs Being Met Internationally
We have new donors that are dedicated to support two new projects in Guinea and England.
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Uganda:
A one time fundraiser supplied backpacks to 160 needy children. Some of the destitute students helped by the St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund are now graduating from universities.
Guinea:
A new school with a chapel will be built with funds donated to Fili directed for that project.
England:
Funds are donated to Fili for specific charity projects there.
Note: Non-specified donations go to the Theotokos Girls and Boys Orphanage in Kolkata, India.
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Ways to donate: The children thank you!
- Tax-deductible gifts can be mailed to FILI, 6430 Bose Lane, San Jose, CA 95120.
- Via PayPal at www.fili-inc.com. You can use a credit card or donate through your bank account.
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Double your gift by using your employer's Company Matching programs.
- Amazon Smile program.
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Donate appreciated stock through Charles Schwab with the DTC#: 0164, Code 40 for the benefit of FIli, Inc. account number 60352405. The donor will receive a tax deduction of the full cash value of the stock and avoid capital gains taxes.
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