The first Salt of the Earth Supporters two week visit to India went very well ably led by Eddie and Anne Walker. A week seeing the great work that SCAD does with our money was followed by a tour around Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Participants all enthusiastic and we already have 15 interested people for next years tour. Book now to avoid disappointment!

It has been great to visit some of the projects we support and meet with the managers and staff. It brings all the administration work in the UK to life when you can see for yourself what is being achieved with our support. It was good to meet with the Head Teacher of the school for children with learning and physical difficulties. Guythri had only just joined when we met her last year so it was grand to hear how many new developments she had brought in like parent teacher meetings and dancing for the children. It is so good too to spend time with these special children. With them language does not matter at all and it is great fun for all concerned just to hang out with them. The boys particularly like to “high five” and can’t get enough of it.

It was also special to open a large rain water harvesting tank at a school in a fishing village and to plant some trees. The teachers, children and some parents were all so pleased to see us and it was a joy to interact with them. It was certainly worth the four hour round trip on poor roads dodging thousands of on foot pilgrims flocking to the Hindu temple in Trichendur. They mostly walk barefooted and think nothing of travelling over 150 kilometres in this way. Their devotion is very moving and it certainly makes you wonder.

Finally we have had a bit if fun in the last few days doing some filming. It is Salt of the Earth’s 25 th anniversary next year so we thought one of the ways to celebrate would be to make a short film. It won’t make the Oscars but I hope it will entertain and please our thousand plus supporters.

Written by Murray Frankland