October 2004

Introduction
It's now time for the second monthly newsletter. The last month has gone by so quickly. Things for sure will get even more hectic now that the tourist season has started due to the arrival of the first planes full of eager sun worshipers. We hope you enjoy this instalment of the newsletter, if you have any queries or comments then please contact us at .

Website
The 'new and improved' website is up and running - http://www.ChildrenWalkingTall.Com so please visit it and have a look. It has a few new sections, including a Newsletter section where you can access these monthly updates. Last months is there for those of you who didn't receive it. A lot of time went into cleaning up the interface and graphics and it should look good on most browsers, but if you do have any problems or comments then let us know at . Another new addition to the website is a German version. As none of us here speak more than 5 words in German we had a little help with the translation. A big thank you goes out to Claudia for all of her hard work on the translation.

Leaflets
The leaflets we had produced in England have nearly run out so for the last two weeks we have been looking for printers over here in India. In England it's a simple task of just doing a five minute search on the internet, over here though it takes a little more effort. We spent 5 days walking up and down the back streets of Mapusa and Panjim looking for printers. It is a great experience seeing all the places normally hidden from the average tourist, some of the smells are 'interesting'' too. In the end we had a short list of five or six that should be able to do what we’re looking for. So hopefully we should have some in a few weeks after finalising the ‘copy’. We'll still need some for the UK, so if anyone knows of any printers that will do a good deal for us in the UK then please let us know.

Fundraising
Well it's good to know that the fundraising is going well. Some of the success stories from the last month are

Natalya, Cheryl and Caroline from Mansfield have completed an eight mile sponsored walk in the Derbyshire dales, a picturesque part of the country that may be easy on the eyes, but unlikely to be easy on the legs due to the rolling landscape. We’re sure they wished they had took a more level route the day after! - Thanks girls for all your effort! We still not sure how much they're raised as they're keeping it a secret, but as soon as we know, it will be posted on the website! Thank you to all of C&D Industrial services where Natalya and Caroline work for all their support.

A cheque for £200 has been received from Maureen Charters who has been fundraising for us in the south of the UK. Maureen is also organising an Indian Night which we’re sure will be a great success. She is hoping to help us more in the future, as well as coming to India to help 'hands on' with the children at Christmas.

Car booting in aid of Children Walking Tall. Shermina and family have been doing car boot sales every Sunday to raise funds from people’s second hand goods. So if you have any old toys, clothes etc you would like to donate them then please contact Shermina by email at or by calling the office on 01623 450944. If you live further a field then perhaps you could do a car boot for us. Contact the UK office for more information

Cakes, Do you need a Dundee cake that can be iced to create a Christmas cake? I know it's early but these cakes will be great after a month or two maturing to perfection ready for Christmas day. They are £7, all of which goes to Children Walking Tall, You'll get a huge 7" diameter Dundee cake which weighs around 4lb and contains plenty of alcohol. We had one of these last year and they're beautiful! If we’re lucky we might get one brought this year :o) - Many thanks go out to John Elias for his continued help and his great cooking skills. We don't think he's left the kitchen other than to sleep over the last few weeks. He's had 16 requests on one day for cakes, so this shows you how popular they are.

John has also been kind enough to supply us with a Christmas Hamper and cakes that will be raffled off this Christmas, the draw will take place on the 20th December and tickets are only 20p each. Call our UK Office and speak to Shermina who will be able to sell you a few tickets, or perhaps you could sell some on our behalf? Here are the prizes - Good Luck!

First prize Christmas Hamper,
Second Prize Large Christmas Cake,
Third Prize Bottle of wine & Dundee Cake

Fashion Show, Yes on the 12th of November in Dartmouth there will be the first Fashion show in aid of Children Walking Tall. Many thanks to Val Iliffe and friends for all their support and Good Luck! Proceeds will be split between Children Walking Tall and a local charity in Dartmouth.

Christmas for the children in India. While writing this newsletter we've had an idea that could make a difference to you and a child in India, If you buy an extra (small) present this Christmas, it doesn't have to be much, a small toy, or sweets (please nothing that will perish before they receive it). Attach a label saying what it is and your email address. We'll take your label off, and email you a picture of the child receiving your present; this will give you the chance to see what a difference, just a small present makes to a child who probably hasn't had one before. Many things are cheaper in India, so if you would find it easier to just send a cheque or give cash for the amount you want to spend. Children Walking Tall will buy something on your behalf from India. Please remember to add your email address so that you can see the difference it makes. Unfortunately due to costs and time we will not be able to send photos by post only by email. For more information please contact .

What's Been Happening
Robert was invited to join a children's camp in Mangalore which was being run by a group of social workers that are studying in one of the prominent colleges in Mangalore. For those who don't know Mangalore is in Karnataka, the next state down from Goa. Karnataka, especially the north is home to many of the children who run away or travel with parents in the hope of getting away from the drought ridden lands that they call home. Many of those who travel, end up in Goa looking for some 'easy money' begging from tourists.

Childline also had a representative at the children’s camp, he came to give a talk and to let them know that there is someone who will listen if they are in trouble. Childline has around 55 offices all over India and helps 100’s of children everyday to escape from slave labour and abuse. Many of the children found through Childline are then placed in ‘homes’ like Children Walking Tall.

Robert has also been visiting slums in both Goa and Mangalore to try and find out what help can be given to these children. Education seems to be at the top of the list. Education in India is now free, but many of the schools are hugely over crowded. Open schools are becoming more popular where children study the subjects they want rather than a set curriculum. However many children still drop out of school as they see their friends go out begging and bring home money and feel like an education is not important.

And Finally
If you would like to receive these monthly newsletters by email then please email us at with the Subject Join Newsletter so that we can add your address to the mail list (please send from the email address you want to receive the newsletter). If you have received this email by mistake, or wish to cancel your monthly newsletter then send an email to with the subject Cancel Newsletter. Thanks from everyone at Children Walking Tall.