St Theresa’s Primary School
During 2014/15 the school was re-equipped. This included the provision of fresh, clean, hot and cold water supplies, improved sanitation, a computer and printer, building renovation works and new uniforms and sportswear.
An area of wasteland is being cleared for planting an organic “kitchen” garden and orchard.
Flip’s Fund will continue each year to cover these ongoing maintenance and clothing requirements as well as teaching materials and one-off essential improvements.
English Teaching
Flip’s Fund now funds a complement of 10 Teachers of English to provide free English Language teaching to those who would not otherwise be able to afford that opportunity. We believe this greatly improves their life chances, without which they are likely to remain in straitened circumstances as have their parents for whom such opportunity was not available.
The Teachers are known as Flip’s Excels, a name of their own choosing and a team identity of which they seem proud and happy.
They teach at St. Theresa’s Primary, St. Theresa’s Secondary and at St. Joseph’s High School 6th form.
St. Joseph’s B.Ed. College – Teacher Training Bursaries
At St. Joseph’s Teacher Training College for the B. Ed qualification, students have to pay fees to undertake the course.
Due to family hardship or illness some find they cannot complete the training for lack of funds. Often, those affected in this way are from Kandal Village, the very students who started as children at St. Theresa’s Primary. This circumstance arises with 4 – 6 such students each year.
Flip’s Fund provides bursaries to make up the fee shortfall. Whilst borne of need, such grants are won as “scholarships”, warranted by merit and commitment. Those selected are given first opportunity to become a Flip’s Fund Teacher of English.
St. Joseph’s B.Ed. College – New Building
Flip’s Fund has provided funds for the rebuilding of a derelict wing at the college. This will allow the college to take on another 30 students, bringing their number to 130. It will also greatly improve space and accommodation for existing students.
Nirmala Convent Cottage Hospital
This serves Kandal village, Nirmala Convent School and surrounding areas. They look after victims of road accidents, fevers, dehydration, chest infections, heavy bleedings and so on. Nobody is turned away. Sr. Cicily, who is in charge, goes out at night to treat people in the streets and bring in those who have suffered from beatings, rape or destitution. Some will harm themselves to have an excuse to be admitted for refuge.
In October 2014 Flip’s Fund committed to pay half the cost of an operating theatre and maternity ward if the Society of Mary Immaculate paid the other half. The Society agreed and the new building was opened on 28 October 2015.
This will allow for three operations a day and accommodate 22 maternity cases.
Flip’s Fund agreed to fund equipment for the maternity ward and operating theatre; and in return the Society agreed to fund the salaries of a doctor, four nurses and two physiotherapists.
St Anthony’s Industrial Training College
This provides electrical and mechanical engineering apprenticeships.
After devastating flood damage Flip’s Fund agreed to match, Rupee for Rupee, the cost of community labour in rebuilding with funds for essential teaching materials.
With the building now restored and new equipment installed there is much demand for the training the School provides and it is expanding in numbers.
It will also be a huge benefit if they can link into the government national apprenticeship and qualification schemes, and for this they will need online computer access.
Resource Centres
Our teachers are wonderfully eager to teach and the children are equally eager to learn.
Priority was given to funding an English Teaching Resource Centre at each school and college – SMART classes with white board, computer, projector and internet connection.
This allows access to a wealth of free online English teaching resources. As a result the ability of our teachers to develop their own English Language skills and teaching competence is greatly improved as is the children’s ability to learn through interaction and exposure to the spoken word.
Cricket
A much loved sport in India. New cricket bats, balls, stumps, gloves, training nets and astro turf training surface were donated to St Theresa’s High School. This has resulted in a full school fixture list of ten schools. The Flip’s Fund Annual Cricket Tournament is played out every year with the final in October.
A magnificent Sterling Silver Trophy, donated by Charles Pragnell of the MCC, is presented to the winning team with a runner up trophy and medals for all players.
This Trophy is donated by Charles Pragnell Esq. of the MCC and Mayfair, London,
on behalf of Flip’s Fund For the honour of cricket
to be presented each year to the winning team of Flip’s Cricket Tournament Ooty
