Fundraising Fun

India is on my mind every day.  I can't stop thinking about it.  My friend Anna, her husband Hamish and their three kids headed off to Delhi last week.  They are the reason I am also heading to India and I will for much of my trip be following in their footsteps.  I have been reading Anna's blog and my excitement grows. I can not wait to get to Delhi, I can not believe I will be seeing the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Dalai Lama residence in Mcleodganj.

 

I think people are starting to get a bit sick of me mentioning India all the time. My eldest daughter Ellen, practically screams at me when I mention the word. But I can't help it. INDIA INDIA INDIA INDIA........... She views my trip as being one long holiday. In part it is, but hey! 40 degree heat, dust, dirt, poor sanitation, Delhi belly and a full time job in a school for 21 of the 32 days isn't exactly my idea of a holiday.  I am going to discover myself (I hope). I see my trip as something of a pilgrimage.  The chance to experience a different culture, education system and religions.  I truly believe this trip will enhance my future career and change my life completely.

This week myself and Janet have been busy thinking about fundraising.  'I' being a BEd student at the University of Hertfordshire and Janet, who has a 1st class honours degree in Educational Studies are applying for a grant via the uni.  Up to £5000. I can only imagine what this amount of money will be able to provide the children at St Mary's School.  I really hope we get it. 

With fundraising on our minds we have decided to follow in Anna's footsteps and organise a Indian Themed Dinner Dance.  The venue is booked and the invites are nearly done. All we have to do now is pull it together.  I have a picture in my mind of exactly how I envisage the evening to unfold.

BOURNE END VILLAGE HALL
SATURDAY 2ND APRIL 2011

Bollywood/traditional dancing, fabulous meal of curry and rice. Alcohol to be flowing, music, colours, fabric, sarees and sounds of India.  Raffle, guest speakers (Anna & Hamish).  I also want to project a Bollywood movie onto one of the walls in the hall for all to see (my wonderful friends Steven & Warren did this at their wedding it was great). I want about 120-150 guests and I want them all to want to pay £20 per head for the honour and privilege of being part of my Indian Adventure.  My dear friend Julie of HSBC bank is getting involved and her company will be match funding up to £500.  I really would love to find other people who work in Nat West etc to help me too.  At the end of the day all the money is going towards the children of St Mary's School for classroom resources.  Our actual goal is to erect an outside classroom along with the purchasing of those everyday resources, which each and every parent in the UK takes for granted take their own children will have in school (paint, glue, scissors etc). These basic resources can change the lifes of each and every child at St Mary's.

Until next time
Namaste

Karen x