FFL Vrindavan is dedicated to the poorest of the poor, educating and guiding them in pursuance of a fulfilling life, enabling them to become exemplary members of society. FFL Vrindavan is also dedicated to protecting and developing Vrindavan’s natural environment.

Our work includes:

• food distribution
• basic medical assistance
• training courses for women
• drilling for drinking water and constructing water tanks
• assistance to the elderly and the disabled
• distribution of clothes
• environmental projects and education
• taking care of cows
• providing primary school education for disadvantaged children.
  

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e-News Archive

June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October-November 2007

Sweeping out the old to bring in the new, was the theme for the SMS New Years Eve bash. A fitting and applicable theme for this overcrowded and littered pilgrimage town, it is also a metaphor for the children and all of us, for that matter, to imbibe. The theme was staged as a play enacted by the children, under the tutelage of our friend and volunteer from Hawaii, Dhatri, who constructedthe most fun way to get the kids to become aware of their habits of littering, loitering and being unnecessarily loud. By getting them to laugh at themselves and still realize the seriousness of such shortcomings, that we all need to work on, Dhatri has, yet again, taught the children that there is something new to learn every day. Classical Indian and folk dancing, singing and tabla recitals by the boys, who are demonstrating their expertise, after just six months of learning,were showcased for the audience. Wanting to entertain the children, some of those who would have just been guests, decided to participate as well. Gaura, a young American girl studying Kathak in Delhi put on a stellar performance for the children and the audience. Another young threesome from England, Krishnaa devi’s daughters, Yamuna and Navala and a friend, Marceu here on a visit, generously gave a few hours of their time, over threeafternoons, to coach some of the kids to put on a hip- hop performance. We may be biased, but the audience’s loud and appreciative applause confirmed our pride in these kids astounding ability to pick up and produce a completely alien dance routine in just a few brief afternoon sessions. The expert teachers also put on a thoroughly professional and world class gymnastic anddance performance which had the usually noisy front row - the littlest kids, enthralled into rapt and silent attention. After all the song, dance and revelry there was a great feast for the kids and for a full house of well wishers and friends. The festival as well as the opulent feast had been sponsored by Krishna Devi’s Yoga class students (Alison, Anita, Stella and Michelle) from Hendon, UK and by her dear friends Natasha Sauh, Barry Abrahams, Mark Smith, and Alka Mashru. Our warmest thanks and best wishes to Krishna Devi and her friends for allowing us to put up a real special evening for our children. We were at the very best place in the world - Vrindavan, having fun with the very best of friends and well wishers, and seeing the kids so happy - the very best New Years gift for us.

Babita, 19 and Mala, 18 are going to be the first girls in their village ofSumiran Nagla to get a Bachelors degree. At first, Mala’s parents were not inclined to let her go to college. Although the parent’s had doubts about sending their girls to college, FFLV Social Welfare worker Madhurya-bhakti patiently talked to the parents about the benefits of sending their girls to college and explained the assistance FFLV could provide. The parents happily agreed to allow their daughters to attend college. For girls to have this opportunity to get a degree is quite a rare occurrence. Usually, they are married off by the time they are 15 or 16. However, the girls were finding itvery difficult to get from their village to the college everyday. At Madhurya’s recommendation, we were glad to gift them two bicycles so that life could be a little easier for them. They still have to pedal 16 kilometers to and fro each day, but a college degree is going to get them very far - to a place that they deserve - for being so brave to do what no one in their family or village has done so far.

Belinda Wickens, a professional Art Therapist, wrote to us from Australia to volunteer her time with our kids. Over two weeks she had sessions with many of the slower learners of our schools. The children were encouraged to let their imaginations go and express their feelings through their drawings. The children’s drawings of themselves, the people who are important to them and finally, their views of Vrindavan were exhibited for the rest of the school children. We intend to carry on this program with guidelines from Belinda, as an effective tool for the children to explore and express their feelings. Belinda is on tour in India and she will be writing more about her time with the children, which we will share with you in another newsletter.

For 3,500 residents of Jahangeerpur, across the Yamuna river, who werebenefited by the kind contribution of the Lions Club of Enfield, London, UK through Food for All. Parashuram Das, head of Food for All (London, UK), enlisted FFLV’s help in putting in a 10,000 liter water storage tank,1,400 meters of underground pipes and twelve water outlets to benefit these villagers. The project was inaugurated on Dec. 30^th in the presence of many of the Lions Club members. Villagers greeted them with songs and flower garlands and lots of gratitude for bringing the water in their village, women had to walk 1.5 km to fetch a pitcher of water, now with twelve outlets spread in the village, these women’s life will be much easier.