CRS has taken delivery of a new 4×4 vehicle thanks to a generous donation from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, the leading oil and gas company in India. It will be used as a mobile medical van for the health programme, allowing CRS health teams to visit different locations in both the city and rural areas, and also carry medical supplies to replenish clinics. The vehicle was officially handed over in early April with the Bishop of Kolkata and other members of the CRS Executive Committee in attendance.
Fundraising
Canadians count cash collected for CRS
The Canadian Friends of CRS held their 6th Annual Penny Pot Tea on 2nd April. 72 people gathered at the Church of the Holy Trinity in White Rock, British Columbia, to see the 2015-2016 Penny Pots opened. Over the last year supporters had been putting nickels, dimes, quarters, Loonies and Twoonies in their pots. An incredible C$2,000 was raised. To this was added a further C$3,000 from cheques received from other donors. These funds will be transferred to CRS in Kolkata shortly. During the tea party everyone enjoyed sharing refreshments together including Indian “chai”, Keith’s popular cucumber sandwiches and cakes that guests had brought. Many also took part in a “spin to win” wheel to win Vancouver’s famous Purdy’s chocolates. Items made by women from CRS’s empowerment programme were also for sale.
New support for CRS from hi-tech company
Loft Digital, a hi-tech innovation consultancy based in the City of London, has generously agreed to support CRS by donating 1 per cent of its profits annually. They have undertaken to give not less than £2,000 in the current year. In addition, the employees of Loft want to use their skills to help slum children, by teaching them to “code”, that is to write computer programmes. This project is being developed with CRS at the moment.
Womens’ products on sale at fete
St Paul’s Cathedral grounds hosted the annual Diocesan Education Mission Fete on 5th December. Kolkata schools under the administration of the Church of North India put up stalls some offering mouth-watering snacks, others selling goods and gifts; there were also fun games to take part in. The proceeds of the fete are for the benefit of vernacular schools in the Diocese. CRS had a stall which displayed products for sale made by underprivileged women as part of the Empowerment programme. As usual, there was a range of beautiful handmade items such as embroidered tablecloths and handkerchiefs, clothing and bags, pickles and spices.
Raising the roof
CRS works in partnership with neighbourhood organisations. These organisations provide premises while CRS funds and staffs programmes for the community. However, many of the buildings are either small or in poor condition. Over the years, CRS has supported infrastructure improvements through special fundraising. Different centres have received brick walls, new floors and flushable toilets.
In April, Jono Marcus took part in the 10k Mercy4Mankind run in Hyde Park, London. The aim was to raise money for CRS, specifically to replace the damaged roof of Mullajan Welfare Society in Bibibagan. The new roof is now complete. Inside, children from the surrounding slums can once again attend a school run by CRS both in safety and protected from the monsoon rains.