Dornakal Fundraising Days
On 16th and 17th June our school community came together for a wonderful couple of days of fundraising for the DDEM School in Dornakal and we are delighted to have raised over £2500.
Since 2008 we have had a partnership with the Dornakal Diocesan Schools in the Cathedral compound at Dornakal, Telangana, India. We are partnered especially with the Dornakal Diocesan English Medium (DDEM) school and since 2013 have been sponsoring students who, without funding, would not be able to afford their education. The DDEM School receives no government funding and has to charge minimal fees to attend. The pupils who we sponsor are from very poor families or are orphans with no relatives.
Sponsoring a child’s education is so important in Dornakal. Many of the children are from tribal families, who live in remote villages and where their child is the first to receive an education; vital for girls especially, who might otherwise be child brides or for boys, who are forced to forego an education and go out to work as a daily labourer in the fields, mines or local quarries. Many of the pupils we sponsor go on to become engineers, doctors, nurses, run their own businesses; education is the way out of poverty.
Last year’s fundraising event for Dornakal was a great success and as a result we have been able to sponsor 15 pupils at the school, provide two desktop computers, musical instruments, a water purifier, and decorate the school as well as starting a sponsorship fund. This year we are hoping to continue to raise money for the sponsorship fund and continue to sponsor the 15 pupils. It costs £80.00 a year for a primary age pupil and £120.00 for a secondary age pupil to go to school. It has been such a benefit to the families in the village and in the tribal areas. Many families have suffered from the economic effects of Covid and now the heat in India, and their livelihoods have been affected as a result. This year we have also been asked to raise money to dig a water bore well in the school grounds as well as to continue to sponsor a child to go to school. The previous bore well has dried up. The bores are dug 20 -30m or more into the ground to find water and then it is pumped and provided as a water fountain. It is otherwise very expensive to bring water into the school, on a daily basis and is not as hygienic. The construction of a water bore well costs approximately £600. The heat this year in Dornakal has been excessive and schools were shut two weeks early for the summer holidays because of it.
Our fundraising began on Thursday with a garden fete atmosphere, with cake sales at breaktime. The fun continued on Paddock at lunchtime with lolly sales and lots of activities including obstacle races, a penalty shoot-out, Jenga and Connect 4, a prize draw, guess the sweets and the main event – the staff tug of war! On Friday we had a non-uniform day and a dressing up competition for Year 12 in Dulverton.
Mr Shyam Kiran, the Lead Teacher in Charge at the DDEM School has said the DDEM School, its pupils and teachers send all their best wishes and appreciation to all the King’s Community. Our sponsorship is a lifeline to so many children and their families. Thank you for your continued support.
