Dear sponsors of children at S.S. Mandal school at Sagroli village , Maharashtra state, bordering Andra Pradesh state in India, and interested friends and family. Some of you already know that we are coming to visit the kids at the school every June and Dec. This June we stayed a week at the school , working on our Dharma Donkey Sanctuary and health and care camp for donkeys (see our web site www.Ahimsatx.org - India Projects for more info) and evenings with the kids at the school (the donkey sanctuary is right next to the school).

This trip as usual we met all the girls (orphans, destitute kids live together in one compound- dormitory style with teachers and dorm moms) we always ask them every time we come what they need - how they are doing in school any problems, questions, etc. Rati speaks their language, Marathi, so we have no communication problems. This compound holds and always has girls from the age of 4 to 18 -- any where from 50 to maximum 60 girls.

This time the girls said they really really wanted fans - Rati and I were shocked to find out they had no fans in their rooms. We had never really looked up on the ceilings - dumb us. In the long hot dry summer in India, that is 6-9 months, temperatures can soar to 110 F. We were really upset that they had no fans. So we immediately went out and bought two fans per room (each room is approx. 12 x 20 ft) and 6-8 girls sleep and study in one room. Luckily we could get them from Bombay and have them installed within a few days. The cost for the 16 fans was $360.00 (US). Since this was Rati and my 34th wedding anniversary and Noah (our one and only's) birthday, he was 30, we gave the girls the fans as our double June event gift. The best anniversary we ever had.

The girls second request is a refrigerator to keep iced, cold water. Right now they just have clay jars of water. Their own refrigerator, for 50-60 girls, will cost $250.00 (US). If any of you would like to donate some money towards the this, please let us know you can always send checks to us personally or made out to S.S. Mandal. We can get your money to India within a week. If we come up with the 250, we will get it done pronto. We are also making sure the girls get more clothes they only get two school uniforms and two outfits, also more personal toiletry articles etc. That is starting immediately. Also new school shoes.

Good news. The state of Maharashtra, where the school is , like all the other states of India has finally decided English must be a compulsory class daily at school starting in first grade. What is so wonderful about this? It means the kids especially poor destitute kids like these with no families, can get jobs a lot easier. They can easily learn English and practice English on computers (computers , printers, etc. which have been donated by us personally and also the Dallas Indian Lions Club - now I can purchase software for them to learn games, ABC's, etc in English. Already did that in Bombay and sent it down to the school - if any of you have software games to help kids learn English - puzzles, anything for a computer please send it to us ). This is probably the only rural village school in all of India that has regular computer classes open to all their kids all ages and lets them use the computers when they have free time. Our goal is to have every child sponsored speak English fluently and use a computer - this will enable them to go on to college or vocational school and have a better life.

Maharashtrian love glass bangles - we brought from Bombay hundreds and hundreds of colorful glass bangles for them to enjoy- all the girls got to select and keep handfuls of them for both wrists. Several new destitute girls including orphaned twins we met for the first time, sang us an adorable song in English. Sort of like I am a little teapot type ditty was really cute.

Lastly really good news - two of the girls sponsored by two of you - one sponsored by Mr. Bhandari of New Jersey all these years, and one from the Bascom sisters, Melanie's store. These two totally destitute girls have studied hard , have completed 10th grade and one has a 85-98 percent grade average which in USA terms is an A plus. She wants to be a people doctor. We will help her achieve her goal. The other young lady has a 75-80 percent grade average, a B plus average in USA terms. Again she too wants to be a doctor but a DVM, animal doctor. Luckily she can start working on her free days - Sunday with our vet caring for our donkeys. She can work with him as she has time and get some first hand experience. Again we will help her further her education. A great vet school is just a 100 miles away from the school. We return to the states this Monday night, so by the end of next week will send you all this newsletter and photos of us and the kids. Again thank you for all your support all these years. It is really paying off. Our kids really do have a future thanks to you. Our fondest regards, bonny and Rati Shah.

For more background on the SSMandal School - SS Mandal School and Orphanage