• Transform the lives of children with few opportunities
• Encounter the vibrant Indian culture
• Enhance your teaching skills in a new cultural context
• Enjoy the team experience and make new friends
• Experience the Taj Mahal, the world’s most beautiful building

Presentations of the 10 day trip in April 2014 will be held on

Wed 24 April at 1pm at Stranmillis College

Thurs 25 April at 1pm at St Mary’s College

A girl called Aarti who I recognised as one of last year’s P7 girls was brought forward to tell how she had been married a few months earlier at the age of 13! Her parents were so poor that they had sold her off to get enough money to survive.

In my travels in India over the past 15 years I have seen many terrible sights abject poverty impossible to describe but this tore at my heart. A young girl whose life should have been full of freedom and potential taken out of school and forced to marry. We know that all sorts of poor outcomes result when girls are married this young risk of death during childbirth, risk of children dying young, malnutrition etc.

We need to do something and over the next weeks I’d like to share my plans with you.

In the meantime please watch this :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8xgF0JtVg

All Saphara students – anyone who has been on a Saphara team – are invited to the launch of our new students’ programme on

Fri 4 Jan at 12 noon at Queens University.

Details on the Saphara students’ Facebook page or contact Christine.

gifts

£20 will enable a child to attend school for 6 months by paying her teacher’s salary

£5 will buy a chair for a child in a school in a marginalized community

£10 will provide a uniform and books to enable a child to attend school

£15 for four chickens to provide a woman with income for her children

£25 for a goat to help sustain a poor rural family

Order gifts by completing SAPHARA CHRISTMAS GIFTS

In the Newsletter: read about Kamlesh and Lokendra, pupils at Kaplani High school from very impoverished families, whose dreams came true when they were awarded the Saphara university scholarships.

Thanks to all at home who have prayed for us on our journey – and for all who supported us in our fundraising. If you’d like to continue to support us through sponsoring a child click child sponsorship

Read all about this year’s visits:

BELFAST TEAM

DOWN TEAM

NORTH WEST TEAM

STUDENT TEAM

In the Newsletter: Dr Christine Burnett and Joanne Holland of Saphara recently met the new Irish ambassador to India, Mr Feilim McLaughlin. The Irish Embassy has generously donated £15,000 to SNEHA School to build an assembly hall, funding that was available only because of their relationship with Saphara.

Here are a few final comments from the team which sum up their Saphara experience:
Brilliant experience; loved every second of it. I’ve done things I never thought I would do and have memories that will last a lifetime. Jonathan – Rainey

This trip has been amazing! So many great experiences that I will never forget from working with the children in Kaplani and Donk to visiting the slums and listening to Dr Reeta’s inspirational talk in SNEHA. Getting to share them with all the other fantastic team members made it all the better. Rebecca – St Mary’s

What a shock and yet an incredible experience for my eyes, nose and heart. I will never forget my time in India, and am still in awe of the things I have seen, and the memories with the inspirational children that I now treasure. Alice – St Mary’s

The trip has been really attitude adjusting. It’s been tough physically, emotionally and mentally, but absolutely worth it. One of the best experiences of my life and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the people I met and spent this time with. Paóirse – St Mary’s

I will never forget all the smiles that I was greeted with and how enthusiastic and amazing each and every child was! I was also inspired by the love that Dr Suzanna showed towards the children in SNEHA School as she referred to them as her own children who she loved! Amy – Dominican

This trip has been the most amazing experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life. The people I’ve met, the things I’ve done and the sights I’ve seen will never be forgotten. It’s something you have to experience for yourself, not even a great photographer with a great camera can capture the true beauty or the memories that we will keep in our hearts forever. Chloe – Dominican

I don’t usually use very emotional language, but I can honestly say that I have had the time of my life. The sights, sounds and smells have been totally engrossing. Andrew – Rainey

This experience has been truly life changing. The people who we had the fortune to meet have been so inspirational and made us feel so welcome. Never will I forget the hundreds of beautiful, beaming smiles from all the children. Anna – St Mary’s

Can’t put into words how amazing this entire experience has been, couldn’t ask for a better group team members, teachers and leaders. Saphara really does change lives in India, I’ve met new friends and made some amazing memories I won’t forget throughout my life. Ross – Rainey

I cannot believe how influential both the people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen have been to me. There is no doubt in mind that I have been changed for good, changed for the better. I will never forget the journey we as a team have been on, we have become closer than I’d ever imagined. Richard – St Mary’s

Really I can only use one word to sum up this experience….. Indescribable! I have learnt a lot from this trip, may it be from the teaching in the schools, to the culture of India or from the many amazing individuals I have met. The friendships and memories that have been made on this adventure has been unbelievable, which I will cherish forever. Rachel M – St Mary’s

If the heart is longing for an experience that is both eye opening and life changing, look no further than a Saphara journey. Our plan was to help and empower some of the most underprivileged yet brightest children in the world; however, the most radical changes came from within each team member! To the students of Kaplani, Donk and SNEHA schools, thank you for all the love which has made this journey truly unforgettable. Sean – Rainey

I’ll never forget my journey in India, the inspirational things I’ve seen and the amazing team members I shared it with. I really have had the time of my life. Orlagh – St Mary’s

This trip has truly been the most eye-opening experience of my life; the poverty was terrible and it was everywhere but the children we met in those places were so amazing you forgot that they lived in a slum or that they lived with little food or in many cases without parents. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I will never forget the smiles of the people I met there.  Ben – Rainey

I cannot possibly begin to describe the past two weeks. I will never forget the affection, generosity and love that all the children have shown me. They have inspired twice as much as I could ever inspire them. I also am amazed by how close the team have become – thank you. Ellen – Dominican

To say the trip was eye-opening would be an understatement. To see such poverty and yet happiness go together is incomprehensible but heartwarming. I’m truly thrilled to have been part of a great team to make even a little difference. Rachel C – Rainey

The trip was magical and thought provoking – how those kids could be so happy when they had absolutely nothing was impossible to explain. I would recommend this to everyone. Peter – Dominican

Our Indian adventure has been amazing and eye-opening experience. It was a privilege to work with the kids in the school so eager to learn each day. The poignant moment for me would have to be the slums which was beyond my imagination yet the children were so happy. I’m so grateful to Saphara for this opportunity. Niamh – St Mary’s