CRS is taking steps to train its key staff in us of the English language. This is both to give them greater confidence in communicating with the UK and Canadian ‘Friends’ and to enable the staff team to build the English capability of the slum teaching staff at an elementary level. In addition, practical classroom activities using both the Indian and English languages are to be started. Another benefit of this greater awareness of English is that it should empower the teachers to develop a better bonding with the children in their care and, over time, open the door to some children who are filtered into the mainstream schools becoming young professionals in the future.
Rev Anita Matthews visit to CRS
Revd. Anita Matthews, Assistant Curate at St Peter’s Church in Derby (UK) visited CRS centres at Topsia, Basanti Devi, Kolabagan and Pally Mangal slums to see projects in education, health and women’s empowerment. She brought with her the best wishes of Bishop Alastair, Bishop of Derby, to Bishop Ashoke in the hope that the links between their respective cathedrals can be strengthened. She is planning to revisit the projects in March 2014 with 8 members of the St Peter’s congregation.
Anglican Overseas Aid (Australia) visit
Tracy Matthews from Anglican Overseas Aid (Australia) was welcomed to the Pallymangal and Dumdum slum projects during her visit. She met children at the education centres and observed the women’s skill and livelihood training provided by CRS which has led to 17 women opening their own bank accounts with the Indian Overseas Bank. Tracy was particularly interested in the staff performance appraisals process as an effective way of maintaining internal reporting and quality standards.
Canadian Friends visit to CRS
Sheila Johnston, founder of the Canadian Friends of CRS and Simon, her husband, visited the CRS Training Centre for Differently-abled Persons as well as the slum projects at Bibibagan, Basanti Devi, Pallymangal, Kolabagan, Dumdum and Topsia where CRS is working. Sheila and Simon were given a wonderful welcome at every centre. This was Sheila and Simon’s first visit to CRS projects which has made them all the more determined to work hard to develop things further in Canada to support CRS to help make a difference.