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201712 Pupils 7

NEWS

New Beginnings and Continued Support in 2017

April 2017

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2017. We’ve not been in touch for a while as school terms in this part of India don’t follow the UK pattern – their longest break is from December until early/mid February.

Joanna Lumley hears all about Hannah Memorial on her visit to the region

Joanna Lumley 2014

Joanna Lumley – the famous actress, author and activist met the Hannah Memorial Academy’s founder Jason Lepcha on her recent visit to Darjeeling. The Indian born, British television star was touring the region whilst filming her latest television programme, which is about her life. Joanna and her film crew needed a driver who knew the area intimately and who spoke really good English, which turned out to be none other than… Jason!

Delighted with Joanna, Jason used the opportunity to tell her all about the Hannah Memorial Academy school and wider project. Unfortunately, Joanna and the film crew did not have enough time to visit the school but it is safe to say that Jason told them all about how the school began, and what a massive difference it has made to the lives of its pupils. In addition to being born in India, Joanna has campaigned vigorously for improved rights for the Gurkha people and is a frequent visitor to the region. Let’s hope that she will make a trip to the school on her next visit – watch this space!

A new school year starts with a fresh intake of pupils

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Following a break over the last few months, the new School Year started on the 20th February for all Hannah Memorial Academy pupils, who have now commenced their studies for the year ahead. The school is in an area still designated as being below the official Indian poverty level and as a result, all the children continue to receive a free hot midday meal at the school every day of the year (not just in term time), paid for by the government. This is a huge benefit to the children and their impoverished families.

We can also report that the number of children the charity continues to support through secondary school with uniforms and books stands at 38, with 11 pupils (9 of whom are girls) joining for the new school year. However, the number of students going through the school system continues to fluctuate due to the on-going issues surrounding the tea estate.

Clifton Bristol Rotary club and Hotwire pledge support for 4x4 vehicle

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We are delighted to have received significant donations from both Hotwire and the Clifton Rotary club, who have kindly raised money for the Hannah Memorial Academy. The donations will be put towards a fund for a 4x4 vehicle for the school. Due to the remoteness of the school, a vehicle is vital mode of transport for both teachers and children. Lots of pupils walk miles up and down the mountain in order to get to school and a new vehicle will make this journey easier and safer for many – think of it as a school bus. So we would like to thank the Clifton Rotary club and Hotwire for their generous contributions.

Community update

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The situation at the Dhooteriah Tea Garden remains difficult and not much has changed since the last update in our previous newsletter. Operations at the garden have not restarted, with many overgrown tea bushes that have been unattended for a few months now. As a result, many locals have been forced to move out in search of alternative employment and sources of income. Unfortunately this is a widespread problem across the region and many other tea estates are experiencing similar issues. We continue to monitor the situation with our contacts on the ground and will keep you updated.

We thank you for your continued support. If you're thinking of a holiday in India, you could visit this beautiful part of the country, and see the school all for yourself, just email us for all the help and information you need!

The Trustees of the Hannah Memorial Academy are: Christine Browning, Roger MacLaverty, John Higham, Margaret Mattingly, Ben Pattie, Ram Varma, Helen Wilde. We hope you are happy to receive occasional news about the progress of the school, but if you would prefer not to receive our newsletters, please email us to unsubscribe.

Support us now

Hannah’s school has united people of every age, from two continents, who want to help create a memorial for Hannah and benefit a whole community in one of the poorest areas of India – please join us in supporting Hannah’s school.

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Jason’s story

How the school was started

The Hannah Memorial Academy is the vision of Jason Lepcha who was inspired to build a school in memory of Hannah Foster.
The school, in the Dhooteriah Tea Garden, is a lasting legacy to Hannah Foster, a 17-year old Hampshire girl who was murdered in the West End District of Southampton in March 2003 by Maninder Pal Singh Kohli.

Just over a year after Hannah’s tragic death, Jason Lepcha, a local taxi driver with a good understanding of English, was hired as a driver in Darjeeling by the chief murder suspect. He subsequently responded to a national appeal for information that led to the arrest of Mr. Kohli in Darjeeling in July 2004. In return for providing the police with the vital information, Jason received a reward of £4569 from the Hampshire Police.

Jason is an educated man from a modest background but he always had a dream to provide free education for the children in the Dhooteriah Tea Garden, one of the country’s poorest regions. Instead of spending the reward on himself, Jason used the money and help from the local villagers to secure a plot of land suitable to build a school on.
In 2005 Jason’s vision became a reality, with the opening of an English school in the Dhooteriah Tea Garden. The school is situated in the village of Santi Gram, 21 km from Darjeeling town, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Today, Jason and his wife Isabella manage and administer the school under an Indian trust, with the support of 7 local Trustees. Most importantly, the school is named after Hannah and serves as living memory to her while helping the regions children to get a good start in life.

Jason pupil and pony Jason looking at progress Darjeeling 4650 Jasons pony

Christine and Roger’s story

How the trust was formed.

In November 2006 Christine and Roger had been travelling in Darjeeling, when their driver, Jason told them about his school. One day they visited it and immediately decided they would like to support such a wonderful, practical memorial.

They came home to Hampton and with the full support of Trevor and Hilary Foster, Hannah’s parents, started collecting funds. The school had opened with one building, 5 teachers, a few teaching materials and 22 pupils. Gradually, with a lot of hard work and cajoling, funding has enabled the school to grow to a maximum roll of 125 pupils.

Gradually, Chris and Rog involved their friends, sending books, funds and anything they could muster. Then in August, realising how much more funding is needed to guarantee the continuation of the school, they set up the Hannah Memorial Academy Charitable Trust.

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The Charitable Trust

How the trust supports the school.

Purpose

The Trust supports the school through Jason, his family and the staff – who have the skills, knowledge, determination and vision – but not the financial wherewithal.

The Trustees:

  • Christine Browning, BSc (Hons) –  Company Director
  • Roger Maclaverty, LLB – Retired Solicitor, Notary Public
  • Camilla Maclaverty, LLB(Hons), MSc Overseas Development
  • Ben Pattie – Public Relations and Social Media
  • Ram Varma –  ACA Chartered Accountant, Treasurer
  • Helen Wilde – Charity Fund Raiser and former High Sheriff of Bristol

The work of the Trust is fully supported by Hannah’s parents Hilary and Trevor Foster, who are kept informed at all times of what we do and what is happening in Hannah’s school.

How we manage the Trust

The Trustees give all their time for free, charge no personal expenses, and apart from minimal essential costs, every penny raised is used entirely for the benefit of the school and its pupils.

Even our interest bearing Bank Account is free! School Budgets are agreed in advance, all expenditure is recorded and monitored, and our aim is for at least annual visits by one or more trustees.

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