RAPHAEL
RYDER CHESHIRE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

Dear George

A feeling of deep sadness prevailed when we heard of Lady Ryder's death. During the last few years we had hoped that Lady Ryder would be well enough to grace Raphael once again with her presence. This was not to be. For Raphael she was an extraordinary and memorable person, whose spirit lives on in our work.

On the 9th November, 2000 we became part of the new state of Uttranchal. General Bakhshi envisages Raphael being the centre for research and training and the main resource in the area of rehabilitation services; to create an awareness in rural areas and teach the villagers how to work with and teach children/adults who have special needs in their community; and to continue our drive to eradicate TB in the State. The Chief Minister Nityanand Swami assured the General of his support when he addressed the gathering on Founder's Day.

There are many special occasions at Raphael during the course of a year; however, the 5th April, Founder's Day, remains the extra special one. This year Peter & Fran Reid, Chairman of the Christchurch RCF, and Jane Forster from London were with us. A number of ex volunteers chose to renew their connection with Raphael. Louise McMillan & Liza Shostak were accompanied by their mothers. The General is very particular about time boundaries and the entertainment, therefore, has a happy pace and every Unit has a slot in the programme. Our guests were an appreciative audience.

The Day Centre, which has for many years been located in the Doon School, will move into the new building adjacent to Ava Vihar this month. The two units are to be amalgamated and the students grouped according to the level of their learning skills and nature of disability. We are delighted that we will have the professional expertise of Priyo LaI, who is working with us as a Consultant and designated the Rehabilitation Psychologist.

News of the children who have embarked on careers/doing vocational training; Ganesh completed Class X last year and joined the Industrial Training Centre, Jalander to do a 1 year programme in Diesel Mechanics. Anand Singh & Surender Singh have been successful in the competitive exams and selected to join the Indian Army. Bhagirathi, Anjali & Sunita have been accepted for a one year programme on MR at the Chetna Institute, Lucknow. Beena & Urmilla who are Class XI students are attending a 6 month diploma course in tailoring at the Bajaj Institute.

In the wake of the catastrophe in Gujarat, nations and individuals have come forward to give unstintingly, and involve themselves in the reconstruction programmes after the devastation caused by the earthquake. The people of Gujarat now strive to rebuild their lives.

Our residents send you their greetings and look forward as always to receiving a card from you.

Thank you for your caring support.

With kind regards

Roma BrijNath
Liaison Officer

Thank YOU very much for your cards. The residents are always overjoyed when they are remembered by their sponsors.

SANGEETA Bright and cheerful and a very determined spirit. It is admirable with what courage she has learnt to move around with a walker. This is due in great measure to the dedication of our physiotherapist Mr. Jeyraj. Sangeeta as she proudly told everyone was part of the dance group that performed on Founder's Day. She is quite the star actress of Ava Vihar. She also enjoys the adulation that goes with it.
A delightful young woman with no behavioural problems.

SUNITA 3 was looking scrubbed and very tidy when I met her in the classroom. She is a quiet, shy girl. An. average student she works hard to keep up with the class. When Sunita returns from her summer holidays next month she will move into Senior School and that means going to the city everyday in the van. Children are always delighted with this change, another view of the world. Sunita is happy in the hostel; reads Champak & Nandan which are hindi magazines for young people. Likes TV and hates eating pumpkin.

CHATTERDOSI was in a happy frame of mind when we met, and grabbed my hand and held on to it, smiling at me. She looked like a sweet girl. Her teacher was helping Meenu to do some stitching.
It is lovely to see Meenu when she is involved and not retreating from the world.

HARISH A day before the children went home on vacation, the Little White House children went on a picnic on the 14th May. They had a wonderful time swimming in pools which had been created by diverting a stream, so the water keeps flowing. Harish had a marvellous day.
Harish is an intelligent boy, highly motivated to do well in his exams and came 1st in class in the final exam. He enjoys Maths and is well prepared in all his subjects. We hope this desire for achievement will stay with him when he moves into senior school in the city next term. At. the moment he is in Lucknow with his family.