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The Darjeeling Railway Community Support group is a recent adjunct to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society, formed to give direct support to the local people. As DHRS enthusiasts visited this remote region they found that it was one of great poverty, even by Indian standards. Here people live in extremely hard conditions. Running water is an outlet from a broken pipe and drainage is via a gully into a nearby ditch.
A home may be a tumbledown shack or just a blanket on a station platform.
A group of DHR. members decided that they would like to help. The DRCS was founded.
The work of the Darjeeling Railway Community Support group
The DRCS works with the DHRS India Support Group. This was pioneered by an Indian businessman, Rajendra Baid, who lives near one of the stations. Rajendra had earned a reputation over many years for his social projects and generosity. Attracted by his -selfless work, other motivated individuals joined him.
The DHRS, the DRCS and the Indian Support Group decided that together, they could make a real difference to the people of the area. All moneys raised will be used for projects to improve their health, well-being and education.
Not even 1% is used for expenses. Already the DHRS (India) have initiated a program of health awareness in some villages.
Consider just two examples:
I) A shocking fact is that people here die from the kinds of illnesses that we merely take a pill to dispel. Bringing such a service to them is far from expensive. £40.00 finances one primary health camp, bringing a doctor and medicine to a community tor a day of treatment and advice,
ii) A sewing machine is seen as a great asset by the community for generating potential sale items creating income, and for clothing to wear.
The following are examples of what may be funded through donations:
£2.00 will buy a school bag with pencil box and paper for a Primary school student.
£5.00 will provide school books and writing materials, etc for one year for one student.
£10.00 will provide school clothing including shoes, plus books for one child.
£40.00 will provide one primary health camp for a whole village with free medicine and vitamins £50.00 will pay for one orphan providing shelter in an orphanage, meals, cloths and education for one year.
£100.00 will provide one self employment skills teaching course at a local community centre.
A YEARS PROGRESS FOR THE DARJEELING RAILWAY COMMUNITY SUPPORT
A year ago an article appeared in the mail about the formation of the DRCS, which followed the visit by a group of us to Darjeeling as part of the Old Hands Tour.
Since then a board of trustees has been formed and a constitution written that meets with the criteria laid down by the Charity Commissioners. The Trustees are Moo Barrie, Juliet and Chris Englefield, Val Mead and myself, David Mead.
We now have a Mission Statement: “The object of the charity shall be to raise money in support of the Health, Welfare and Employment within the Darjeeling Railway Community.”
The Trustees have started the application for charitable status; however, we need to raise a minimum of £5000 within 12 months before this will be granted. We may still, however, be able to register with HM Revenue and Customs for Gift Aid.
Meetings of the Trustees are planned on a regular basis and formal accounts are being kept.
Activities in India
We are working closely with the DHR India Support Group via Rajendra and Vivek Baid. The first £290 was sent out to India in February and has, to date, resulted in 3 health camps being held over the last few weeks. 209 people attended the camps. See photos here
The next activity planned is a tailoring programme in Gayabari.
Objective: To set up a training centre for females where participants are given training for tailoring of all type of female garments. The three month course will train participants to do their own tailoring, saving money, and 1-2 individuals will be motivated to open tailoring shops and increase their personal incomes.
Fund Raising.
The Leighton Buzzard India Day raised £170, from a Tombola and the sale of Chai, and the raffle at the AGM raised £ 110. Our thanks go to everyone involved.
We have 3 more events in the planning stage, a stall at the Fairbourne Railway August Bank Holiday weekend, a Garden Party at the Barrie’s in September, and a further fund-raising event to be held at Hanley Swan Village hall in Worcestershire.
How can you help?
Standing order forms are available for those who would like to give a regular amount, however small.
We could raise even more money with your help, either as a member of the committee, or perhaps you could organise a fund raising event in your own area, and you would be more than welcome to help with any of the future events.
The more money we raise the more we can support the Health, Welfare and Employment within the Darjeeling Railway Community.
This is a way of paying back the community for the privilege of sharing their railway with us! Any one who is interested please contact one of us for further details.
David Mead - on behalf of the Trustees of the DRCS 17/06/2007
Contacts:-
David and Val Mead
Tel: 01684 562 571
e-mail: davidmead774 @ btinternet.com
Juliet Englefield (Treasurer)
Broadview,
Jubilee Drive,
Upper Colwall,
Herefordshire, WR13 6DQ. Cheques to be made payable to 'DRCS'.
e-mail: Juliet Dixon
E-mail: chrisandjuliet @ hotmail.co.uk.
Moo Barrie
E-mail: moobarrie @ tiscali.co.uk
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