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NEWS

Progress, Challenges and New Beginnings

February 2016

New Homestay

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We are pleased to start this newsletter with the exciting news that HMA has a brand new Homestay! This was funded by the very generous sponsorship by family and friends of the boys in Manor House, Eton, who climbed a large Welsh mountain for the specific purpose of raising the necessary funds.

The Homestay is called ‘Manor House’ (understandably!) and consists of a spacious detached open plan bungalow, with bed and sitting/dining area plus large separate Western toilet and shower room. The sunny patio – see the photo – is perfect for enjoying the stunning views, delicious home cooked meals, watching the children playing before the bell rings! Now, volunteers and visitors can enjoy, not only their own facilities, but also experience the joy and happiness of the school in action.

Earthquake News

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Following the earthquakes last year in Nepal and West Bengal, we are glad to say, that as a result of strengthening the buildings, the School suffered only minor cosmetic damage, which, having been repaired, only requires repainting.

Headmaster Arvinda

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It is with huge regret and sadness we have to report that Arvinda, the Headmaster, whom we had met with only two weeks before, died of a stroke in bed overnight, just before Christmas. He was only 45. It was totally unexpected, a complete shock, and he leaves a wife and 11 year old twins. He was universally respected and loved. We are helping the family, so far as we can, as there are no safety net provisions in India for this sort of thing.

Isabella, who has been second in command since the outset and who is well qualified and very experienced, is now taking charge with a new teacher being recruited. (Arvinda is wearing the striped jersey and Isabella is standing next to him, amidst the other teachers in the photo.)

Pupils’ Progress

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Other news: In December the 8 oldest children in the top class took the National leaving exams (a bit like the 11+), to determine if they could progress to the secondary school of their choice. They all passed with excellent marks -, which is, actually, quite normal for our school! This just proves how much your contributions make a difference - without them, the School wouldn’t exist and these children wouldn’t have anything like the chance to succeed as they have now.

Whilst there, we met Sushmita Sala, now aged 17 and whom we first met, many years ago, in one of the youngest HMA classes, when she first joined the School. Sushmita came to HMA when her parents realised she was not progressing at the local State school where teaching was virtually non existent. At HMA she learnt English, in addition to her native Nepali, and she now speaks Hindi as well. Her English is fluent and she is confident, happy and a delight to speak to. She passed her final Primary exam, earning her a place at Ghoom Girls School, a well regarded state secondary school, where she was supported by the HMA charity which paid for her books and uniform.

She takes the equivalent of A levels later this year and expects to go on to college to do science and/or commerce! Without your help, it’s highly likely her future would have been early marriage and casual labour on a tea plantation.

Health and Wellbeing

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Finally we can report that when we went to the School in December, as well as being able to satisfy ourselves that everything was exactly – or indeed better than it should be, both of us noticed the general overall good health of the pupils, in stark comparison to our first visit, years ago. When we first went to the School, the children were generally undernourished, scabby and suffering from perpetual coughs and colds. No longer, and the difference is huge. Many thanks to you all, from pupils past, present, and the 90 children on the register in for 2016!

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.

Donate

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.

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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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